From the Archives - Saints v Bristol 2000

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By From the Archives
September 11 2002

In the second visit to the Saints v Bris archive its back to November 2000. Saints were still suffering from the post Euro party but put it all together on the afternoon when Mr Ryan lost his cool and Mr Archer got sent off......twice!

Saints 24 Bristol 6

By Saint On The Spot
Date: 26/11/2000

Forward power told for the Saints as they overcame Bristol at a rain lashed Franklins Gardens yesterday. Tries for Budge Pountney and Matt Allen and 14 points fom the boot of Paul Grayson saw them home but with dominance in possession and territory it should have been much, much more.

Bristol started well but it was the Saints who got the first points on the board with a thirty yard penalty. Stephen Vile replied in kind for the visitors before Grayson kicked the Saints back into the lead.

As the rain got heavier the Saints gained the advantage and sent drive after drive upfield but with no reward. At times the game broke down ino a long-range kicking contest between fullbacks Grayson and Lee Best with neither gaining the breakthrough needed.

On the half-hour it took a cool headed Ali Hepher to break the deadlock. With both teams struggling in midfield he put a long low kick through that put Saints deep into the Bristol twenty-two. There were a succession of lineouts until the Saints finally got it right.

Steve Thompson found Tim Rodber who was quickly engulfed by his fellow forwards and driven forward. Garry Pagel, who gave his opposite numbers a torrid afternoon, took up the initiative and Budge Pountney was rumbled over for the try.

Bristol fought back with Best and Ben Sturnham to the fore but couldn't break down the home defence as the storm clouds were gathering. The weather was not adding to the occasion and tempers started to fray. After several off the ball incidents referee Nigel Yates sent both Matt Stewart and the ever abrasive Gareth Archer to the cooler just before half-time. The Saints were 13-3 up and sailing, at times literally!

The second half opened to monsoon conditions as the Saints tried to push the advantage. Again and again the ball was lost with the Bristol line beckoning. Finally it took a touch of magic from Andrew Blowers to secure the try. With no way through he sent a deft grubber sliding in through the mud. Matt Allen sprinted on and slid through for the score.

In deterioating conditions Grayson and Vile exchanged further penalties but it was Mr Archer who insisted on having the final say.

As the Saints surged forward he decided he had had enough of poor little Mattie Stewart. Off the ball he aimed a punch at his target. Poor Matt went stumbling and Mr Yates had no option but to produce the red card.

Archer wasn't done yet though and stopped enroute to the bench to argue the point with Budge Pountney, while his Coach, Dean Ryan, argued the toss with the crowd.

As the rain stopped so did the game and six thousand happy puners went home happy in the knowledge that the Saints are a long way back to their best. The forwards were outstanding, but special praise must go to Garry Pagel (and not just beacause this site sponsors him). He had a stormer and i'm sure the Bristol front row will be having a few nightmares before the return game at the memorial ground.

With the return of Ben Cohen, Matt Dawson, Luca Martin and Allan Bateman next week and Nick Beal nearing fitness it looks the future could indeed be Gold Black N Green!

RESULT:
Northampton 24 Bristol 6

TEAMS:
SAINTS: Paul Grayson; Joe Shaw, Chris Hyndman (Mark Tucker 68), Matt Allen, Simon Webster; Ali Hepher, Dom Malone; Garry Pagel, Steve Thompson (Steve Brotherstone 40), Matt Stewart, Jon Phillips (Andy Newman 40), Tim Rodber (Olivier Brouzet 60), Andy Blowers, Budge Pountney, Pat Lam (Kelvin Todd 40-50).

Bristol: L Best; D Rees, L Nabaro, L Davies (J Mayer 55), S Marsden; S Vile, G Baber (capt); P Johnstone, N McCarthy, K Fullman (D Crompton 39), G Archer, A Brown (A Sheridan 64), M Salter (C Short 18-28; 47), A Vander, B Sturnham.

SCORERS:
SAINTS:Tries: Pountney, Allen. Cons: Grayson. Pens: Grayson (4).

Bristol: Pens: Vile (2)

SCORING SEQUENCE:
Scores: 3-0 Grayson pen; 3-3 Vile pen; 6-3 Grayson pen; 11-3 Pountney try; 13-3 Grayson con; 18-3 Allen try; 18-6 Vile pen; 21-6 Grayson pen; 24-6 Grayson pen.

NAUGHTY BOYS
SAINTS:
Yellow: Matt Stewart

Newcastle:
Yellow: Archer
Red: Archer

REFEREE:
Nigel Yates (Cheshire).

ATTENDANCE:
6093

WEATHER:
Monsoon!!!!