News: Saints Stall Irish revival with a 40-14 win
By St Dormouse
March 3 2013
Twas a lovely, sunny, spring afternoon at Franklins Gardens, at least it was if you were in the Tetley’s, half way up the South Stand it was flippin freezing but let’s not deviate. The mood among fans seemed to be somewhat more light hearted than of late, 2 wins on the trot, no less than a winning streak indeed for the Saints and the fans forum during the week certainly aired some laundry. London Irish have dished out some harsh lessons in the past but one sensed that confidence was high among fans and players alike.
Aviva Premiership Round 17
Northampton Saints v London Irish
Saturday 2nd March 2013 Franklin's Gardens
KO 3pm
Saints, boosted by the return of Christian Day and England duo Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes, but more importantly our mate Col, whose gentle coaxing of the team and mild and friendly advice and tuition of various match officials has been sorely missed of late, trotted onto the field to a 12000 strong chorus of Wendy, volume not heard since a Friday night a few years back when Munster visited. We like that Saints, thanks for listening!
And so to the match, with some small apologies to neutral and Irish readers, purely from a one eyed Saintsman.
After a relatively cautious start and the usual faffing and spluttering saints failed to deal with a restart, how many times have we said that, which led to Tom Homer’s first shot at goal which he obviously slotted on 7 minutes. Our restart however has taken on a new lease of life with Samu and Smyler in perfect harmony and good Saints pressure led immediately to Elliot pouncing in the corner, almost a copy of his try last week. Myler converted and not particularly optimistic mutters of “3 to go “ rumble round the Burka stand.
A period of decent play from both sides followed, Irish ably assisted by ref JP Doyle’s (the name gives it away) strange interpretation of crossing, obstruction and in at the side laws, a fact not missed by our Col who in his usual unselfish way immediately offered the use of his spectacles to said official. It must be said though that Doyle’s equally baffling refereeing of the rolling maul was hugely beneficial to the Saints so honours even there. Unfortunately Elliot showed his age and naivety in dealing with a chip through from Irish which led to another penalty, shortly followed by another giving Irish a 9-7 lead with a minute to go of the first half. Seats start to empty, beer and loo queues start to form but Saints are awarded a penalty from the restart which unusually Myler kicks to touch instead of settling on 3. Surely a sign of a more confident Saints, rewarded on 40 with a Samu Manoa try converted by an increasingly confident and accurate Steve Myler.
The second half starts with Saints 14-9 up and there followed a half of rugby not seen at the Gardens since a certain Carlos Spencer lead the demolition of a pre-‘we’ll buy every trophy’ Saracens. Firstly Georg Pisi knocked on with an empty line yards away after more sterling work in the air by the leaping James Wilson. Saints get the penalty but again instead of taking the points Myler went for touch and Tiny came off the back of the maul to score. Saints were by now learning to use the rolling maul off the lineout to great effect to which Irish’s only response was to con the ref into awarding a penalty. Booo says Col sportingly. A period of substitutions including a return for growing fan’s favourite Ben Nutley after a blood bin 7 minutes in the first half for Dowson, and the welcome return of established fan’s favourite The Moooooj after a period of injury. Saints are on top at the scrum and another penalty and another lineout and a try this time for GJ Van Velze who has remarkably managed to stay on the field for 2 consecutive games, bonus point after 55 minutes and the fans are enjoying themselves. More importantly the players are enjoying themselves using offloads and inside slips actually going to hand it seems like a good fairy has blessed our until now buttered fingers. A minute after GJ some more lovely passing leads to Elliott’s second in the corner but this time Myler misses the conversion...Booo get him off!. 5 tries to the good and 20 to go, and now a real test for our Geoff on the mic as Irish begin to throw on the subs with interchanging names to rattle one’s dentures. Bless him but he took his task with good humour and did well.
On the Saints side Smyler and Dickson go off followed by Tiny and to great applause the combative Hartley. Saints definitely take their foot off the gas to give the 3rd Armitage brother, Guy, a try which was not converted. It was merely a sticking plaster for a haemorrhage though as shortly afterwards some splendid work on the floor by Nutters and a sly chip from Lamb puts Elliott in for his hatrick. You’re forgiven for the earlier mess up Jamie, well done to the young man for 5 tries in 2 games. Chris who? I hear you say. Shortly after the Lamb conversion the whistle goes and the Saints come back onto the field dishing out signed balls to the fans, except Wilson who obviously thought the car park stewards were missing out, we like that too Saints.
A great day out at the Gardens for saints fans. Final score 40-14. 6 tries from a team who before Christmas couldn’t score 1 a match. Man of the match went to Dylan for his combative leadership. I would say it was given to Dylan more as a pat on the back for the whole team who without exception put their hearts into this match and played with more confidence, skill, commitment and enjoyment than has graced the gardens for ages. It seems a shame that a winger can score 3 tries and not get mom but I would certainly put Samu as once again my top player, with the soaring James Wilson close by for his majestic display in the air today. Apparently he is off to Barcelona for a well deserved break, he won’t need Easy Jet, somebody just kick the ball from Stanstead and he’ll fly after it. Ok sorry, starting to sound like Alistair Campbell now.
There is no reason now that Saints can’t finish top 4 after 3 wins on the bounce and the destiny in their own hands. OK there are some tough matches ahead but Saints have made their bed today and shown they can play well. There can be no excuses for the dross we saw against Gloucester again. A few weeks off then away to Wasps. Momentum must not be lost.
Onwards and upwards says I. Hoorah says Col.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:03:04:23:30:31 by St Marlowe.
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Quote:riverlodge
great write up, and defintely agree the mom point. i know players and 'traditionalists' (who they?) dont like moms, but in the new fan friendly pro rugby world you'd think the guy getting 3 tries would stand a chance (even though, like you, it was samu for me).
Mrs SD and myself were discussing this when it was announced as Dylan.
We concluded that when the team as a whole are playing well then it means the Captain has done his job well.
He probably deserved it for the two calls to kick to touch either side of h/t. Got some big brass ones to make that call.
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Tetleys Block F E143
P.S. Eif's mom was probably Gareth Davies
Saint til I die
Now fixed
David L
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