News: A game of two halves see Saints take the 5 points

By Casual Saint
September 8 2013

After all the anticipation and some fairly inconclusive pre-season games it was finally time for the real thing. A new season, old routines, new superstitions. After taking my lucky hat to the Edinburgh game, but leaving it in the car, I decided to continue with a winning formula. So hatless, but suitably equipped with note book and spare pens I arrived at the Gardens. The village was buzzing but also seemed to be full of queues for the various catering outlets. Scorning their offerings I took my seat in the South Stand.

Aviva Premiership Round 1

Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs

Franklin's Gardens 7th September 2013

KO 3pm

3 O’clock arrived and on ran the teams, together with the man with the whistle, Mr JP Doyle. But what was this? Chiefs were lining up in front of the South Stand, new routines indeed.

Saints kicked off and after some early exchanges Saints are awarded a penalty as a Exeter player fails to roll away. Positive intent is shown as Myler kicks deep into Digger Corner (A local reference, the left hand corner as you look from the South Stand, named after a game when Digger collected a hat full of tries in the corner during one epic second half performance about 50 years ago.) A second penalty is awarded from the line out as the Saints jumper is hauled down in mid air. The ball is again kicked for touch, won cleanly from the line out and taken left. Play returns right, Dickinson makes ground through midfield to feed Hartley. He has Pisi K outside him but opts to go alone and crashes over in Digger Corner. In his post match interview he said he did not know Pisi was there. I think he knew he has a big debt of trust to repay and this was the first down payment. Myler converts from the touchline and after 2 minutes its 7:0.

Exeter restart left, the ball is cleared to half way and Exeter start to work the ball upfield before a pass to no-one finishes in touch. A short break for an Exeter blood replacement and play restarts. Saints make progress through midfield with the big runners before the ball is lost forward and we have our first scrum of the season. This is quickly followed by the first reset, second reset and first scrum penalty ... so not much change there from last season. Chiefs were awarded the penalty and kick deep to the right, which animates the travelling support. From the lineout the ball is banged up the middle through a couple of phases before Dawson over steps the line in front of the posts and is sent to the bin for 10 minutes. Steenson knocks over the kick, 12 minutes 7:0.

George North chases down the receiver from the restart and Chiefs opt to play the ball out of their 22 under pressure from the Saints attacking defence. The kick seems a better option but Pisi K and Foden combine to run the ball back. Again the big runners bang the ball up midfield and win a penalty for off-side. Myler slots the 3 points, 15 minutes 10:3.

The blood replacement returns and Exeter kick left. Saints have the advantage for a knock-on, the ball goes left and the crowds get what they want – the ball in George North’s hand and some space the work in. The Kings Lyn Flier is off and flying and only a brave tackle by Jess on the Chief’s 22 prevents a try. The ball is knocked on in the tackle and so it’s a scrum to Exeter. They start to work the ball down field through a sequence of kicking duels with Foden. However, having reached the Saints 22, their line out from the right touchline is thrown too long. Dickinson is first to react, Burrell breaks through midfield before feeding Pisi K who scores in Digger Corner. Myler kicks the extras, 21 minutes 17:0.

Saints are again comfortable with the restart and work the ball back through Burrell and a Pisi kick. After a few phases Exeter are awarded a scrum for a knock on as North chases down a box kick. Dowson trots back on and Saints a back up to 15. Exeter attack from the scrum before kicking deep. Foden fields and sends up an up and under. A fortunate bounce sees him fielding his own kick, Wood takes the off –load and scores to the right of the posts. An easier kick for Myler, 25 minutes 24:3. Saints are scoring at the magical rate of a point a minute and look to be able to absorb Exeter pressure and score at will.

Exeter again restart left but knock on and we have the first Saints scrum of the season. The ball is won cleanly but when Pisi K looks to go blind he is easily pushed into touch. Wood steals the line out and Myler grubber kicks through. The ball hits Steenson on the way past and so when the ball is cleared to touch Mr Doyle judges it has been carried back and Saints have a line out on the Chiefs 22. Dickinson sets up a promising attack but Pisi G is penalised for blocking. Steenson clears to half way and from the line out pops up a reverse pass to set up an inside break that sends a player clean through the midfield. The attack ends with a big hit from Lawes but Saints are offside in front of the posts. Steenson takes the 3, 32 minutes 24:6.

Exeter win a penalty soon after the restart and are attacking on the Saints 22, the defence holds firm though and play moves down the pitch. A Chiefs counter attack finishes when they pass the ball to touch on the left. A quick throw and quicker hands releases North, who occupies 4 Exeter players with the tackle. Play is sent tight and gaps have opened up in the Exeter defence, Pisi G glides through one gap and Saints have the bonus point. Myler again converts from the touchline, 37 minutes, 31:6.

3 more minutes of huffing and puffing and its half time and an opportunity to cool the biro.

So what to expect in the second half ? Saints looked unstoppable at times, would they keep their collective foot on the gas ? Would Exeter manage to keep possession and exert some control ?

Some of the those questions were answered early on. Exeter started to win the penalty count and kept Saints pin in their own 22. However, a combination of resolute Saints defence and poor lineout work from Exeter meant Saints could survive on turn-overs and keep Exeter at bay. From one line out steal on the their 22 Dickson sends a box kick into mid field and look to have men over. Burrell makes the tackle into touch. Mr Doyle is not happy with Lawes follow up and after going upstairs for a second opinion issues a yellow card for a late tackle. Harsh possibly but he is gaining a reputation and will probably not get much benefit of the doubt. Steenson kicks to the corner and work a clever short line out, however Dickinson steals the ball and ball is worked through the hands to North. A chip inside looks promising but Mr Doyle spots a shove and Exeter have another penalty which is kicked deep into Digger Corner.

Time to start ringing the changes, Scaysbrook replaces Johnson and Slade replaces Steenson.

This time from the line out Exeter maul the ball to the 5 yard line but excellent work again by Dickinson turns the ball over. Pisi G clears the ball long to touch on the half way line. Again the Exeter lineout is too long, but Saints knock on and its a scrum on half way. Exeter go blind but Matt Jess is a little optimistic with his attempt to chip North and the ball is knocked into touch on the Saints left.

More changes as a whole new Exeter front row trots on. This has an immediate effect on the line out as the ball is cleanly won and worked through mid field. A great wrap around releases Jess who looks set to score only for Dickson to get between him and the pitch.

57 minutes gone and Saints start the merry go round. Lawes does not reappear from the naughty step, (afterwards he had his knee strapped and iced) Big Sam and Fortuali’i come on, Exeter also replace Hayden Thomas with Lewis. Exeter continue to build the pressure and are held up again (although to my eyes it looked like a try). Clark and Heywood come on, Hartley leaves to much applause, although baffling enough Woody appears have left before the last scrum. Anyway Saints are properly back to 15 players. To recap, Exeter have a five yard scrum. Fortuali’i is certainly keen to get on with it but Mr Doyle seems to taking an increasingly long time to say when the ball can be put in. Eventually we have a scrum, Exeter work the blind side and Mumm scores in the corner. The conversion is missed, 62 minutes 31:11.

More changes, Wilson for Pisi G, Waller for Corbisero and Denman for Mercy. Myler tries a Big Sam special from the restart but the timings are not right and the Manoa takes an Exeter player out in the air.

Saints continue to win turnovers at the line out and the loose but are Exeter’s defence is much improved in the second half and Saint continue to have to play in their own half. Exeter’s attack still lacks a finishing touch and Saints defence looks to be comfortable. From one Saints scrum the ball is worked left again to North but his off-load to Haywood is just forward. A sign of the strength of Saints squad sees their leading try scorer from last season finally join the game to replace Pisi K. Saints disrupt the Exeter scrum but they attack left before Elliot makes an immediate impression with a crunching tackle that wins a penalty. Myler kicks to the Shrubbery corner and its back to the future as Saints maul the ball up and over the line. Big Sam appearing from under the pile of bodies with the ball. Myler continues his 100 % record with the conversion, 74 minutes 38:11.

The final 5 minutes are pretty free flowing. Quick hands release Heywood for a canter down the right and he finds Dickinson in support but the ball is knocked on inside the Exeter 20. From the scrum Exeter are awarded a penalty which is kicked deep. A lovely inside break sets a player free with support to his right. However the pass is delayed too long and the opportunity is lost. Thoughts turn to Man of the Match ... Sam Dickinson is in my mind ... and a few seconds later Uncle Geoff confirms. An excellent debut with a hand in everything both attack and defence. The competition for the 8 shirt is going to be mighty fierce this season and its been a few years since we have been able to say that.

Time for some random hand signals from Mr Doyle and a final Saints turnover and its full time.

What can we draw from the game. Saints have a bonus point victory based on solid defence and sharp counter attacking. They certainly looked much more comfortable on the ball ...but never got into 5^th gear. Bring on the Quins.

News: A game of two halves see Saints take the 5 points

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 08/09/2013 01:15

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