From the Archives - Saints v Bristol 1998

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By From the Archives
September 11 2002

In the run up to our Zurich Premiership game of at Bristol on Sunday we look back this week on some Saints v Bris clashes of the past. Today we go back to March 1998 when a certain Mr Thorneycroft went over for a quickfire hat trick and Jonny Sleights looked like Billy Whizz!

HARVEY HAT TRICK SINKS SINNING BRIS

Saints 35 Bristol 12
Saturday March 14th 1998
Franklins Gardens
Allied Dunbar Premiership

A first half Harvey Thorneycroft hat trick helped a lack lustre Saints overcome a
poor but spirited Bristol side by six tries to two. However the game will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Referee Brian Campsall sin binned two Bristol forwards in the space of a minute after constant infringements tired the patience of the match official. Captain, David Corkery, was 'binned' for persistant offside then a minute later flanker Jim Brownrigg
joined his Captain after a deliberate knock on.

The Saints started the game at pace and threatened the Bristol line on a couple of occasions but Bristol took the lead on the quarter hour.

A wild pass between his own posts by Jon Sleightholme, looking remarkably like Billy Whizz with his shaven head, gave full back Ian Hunter no chance and from the resulting five metre scrum
the Bristol scrum half, Garath Baber when over unopposed under the posts.

The Saints hit back with a Paul Grayson then Harvey took centre stage.
In the space of the halfs last nine minutes he completed his hat trick in style to send the home side in at the break with the game firmly in their control.

Thorneycrofts tries were punctuated by the double sin binning.

Saints grip on the game continued straight after the break with lock Jason Chandler scoring
on the first attack of the half with Bristol still two men short.

Five minutes later Matt Allen added another after a 'Zinzan' style chip through by Tim Rodber.

The Saints then took their foot off the gas and appeared to have their minds on other things (like cup semis) and allowed Bristol to sneak another try on 55 minutes through Darren Yapp.

A spirited late rally saw hooker Chris Johsnon score in the corner with only minutes remaining to seal the Saints first league win in four.

SAINTS SCORERS:
Harvey Thorneycroft..............Try (3)
Jason Chandler.............................Try
Matt Allen....................................Try
Chris Johnson..............................Try

Paul Grayson.........................Penalty
Paul Grayson....................Conversion

SCORING SEQUENCE:
0-5 Baber try; 0-7 Lewsey con; 3-7 Grayson pen; 8-7 Thorneycroft try; 10-7 Grayson con; 15-7 Thorneycroft try; 20-7 Thorneycroft try; 25-7 Chandler try; 30-7 Allen try; 30-12 Yapp try; 35-12 Johnson try.

TEAMS:
Northampton: Ian Hunter (Gregor Townsend 76); Jon Sleightholme, Andy Northey, Matt Allen, Harvey Thorneycroft; Paul Grayson, Matt Dawson; Garry Pagel, Chris Johnson, Matt Stewart (Matt Volland 53), Jon Phillips (Simon Foale 77), Jason Chandler (Don Mackinnon 70), Tim Rodber (capt), Grant Seely, Budge Pountney.

Bristol: S Jones; K Chesney, S Martin, K Maggs, D Yapp; J Lewsey, G Baber; A Poole (J Wring 52), F Landreau, K Fullman, P Adams, C Eagle (T Devergie 40), D Corkery (capt), J Brownrigg, E Rollitt.

Referee: B Campsall (Yorkshire).