News: Warriors come out to play
By Bonso
October 1 2011
It would be very easy to be overcritical of Saints efforts at the Warriors on Friday and certainly I feel along with Worcester’s superb defence across the park Saints were somewhat the authors of their own failures in their eagerness to cross the whitewash.
Aviva Premiership Round 5
Worcester Warriors 12 vs 3 Northampton Saints
Sixways, Friday 30th September K.O. 7:45
It did not help Saints settle that Warriors had the temerity to not let them have a go at the ball in the first 10 minutes and watching I felt relief as Goode slotted the first penalty in that we could now have a go ourselves. Initially when we did get the ball we looked sharp with Dickson’s quick pass giving our midfield some space and time to work. We looked good and drew Warriors offside. Myler slots the 3 and all square. Not too bad at that point I thought. Really the rest of the half was actually ok from both teams as they huffed and puffed but with generally good discipline to keep the penalty count down. It took a great kick from 50m to separate the teams from Goode. At that point I thought Saints had a try in them and I was so nearly right as Digger and Clarke broke, but the curse of the 22 struck Saints again and Perry who had made the biggest comeback since lazarus hacked on from his interception and Warriors breathed a sigh of relief going into half-time.
In the second half Saints started brightly but when Clarke lost his discipline by dimly passing off the floor right in front of Mr Rose Goode punished saints by slotting the 3 pointer. Now 6 points up and with momentum Warriors had a lineout on Saints 5m line. The ball was collected from the lineout for a catch and drive set up in textbook fashion. This was stopped in textbook fashion by the Mooj. Unfortunately this was from the textbook of how to stop a maul illegally and get a yellow in the red zone. Remarkably 14 man Saints were able to resist the repeated Warrior assault on their line.
It was Saints' turn now and there was some incision particularly Armstrong coming off his wing and looking for work. Unfortunately the curse of the 22 kept striking and fumble we did twice. To add insult to injury Goode, after missing a drop goal slotted another penalty to put warriors 9 points clear.
Enter the Lamb to the slaughter along with Craig, Roberts, and May who might sound like a legal firm, but unfortunately they could not solicit any points for saints. Lamb missed a penalty and a drop goal attempt, but by now it was another obvious “one of those days” for us that follow the Gold Black and Green. Mr Rose blew up for no side and put us out of our misery.
Worcester look a very organised outfit and will trouble everyone this year as they also have a bit of pace with Garvey, Benjamin and Classens and a streetwise back 5 in the pack. The return match at the Gardens will be interesting.
TIMELINE
7mins WORCS Miss pen Goode
8mins WORCS Miss DG Goode
9mins WORCS Pen Goode 3-0
14mins SAINTS Pen Myler 3-3
31mins WORCS Pen Goode 6-3
HALF-TIME WORCESTER 6 SAINTS 3
45mins WORCS Pen Goode 9-3
48mins WORCS Miss pen Goode
51mins SAINTS Yellow card Mujati
64mins WORCS Miss DG Goode
68mins WORCS Pen Goode 12-3
75mins SAINTS Miss pen Lamb
78mins SAINTS Miss DG Lamb
FULL-TIME WORCESTER 12 SAINTS 3
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Oh and good write up Bons
You can see why Jim said what he did, given that we were "a couple of fumbles" away from scoring two tries. And Digger, when he had the chance, should have pinned his ears back and gone for the line instead of cutting inside.
These are small errors with (currently) big and painful consequences, but let's show a bit of faith and belief that they will be sorted for the visit of Exeter...
Thanks Bonso - a fine report.