From the Archives - Saints v Bath 2000

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By From the Archives
September 19 2002

In our third look back to Saints v Bath encounters this week in the run up to Saturdays game in respect of fairness we look back on a Bath win. (well it was the last time) Things did not quite go the Saints way but the one shining light was a starring debut for young 'Archie' Brooks.

End of the Line in Honour Hunt for Saints!

The Saints saw probably the last chance they had of catching the leaders disappear at the 'Rec' yesterday as they were given an object lesson in counter attacking by a finely honed set of Bath backs that the Saints could not contain once they had breached the gain line.

Despite probably dominating territory and possession the Saints failed to capitalise on any good ball produced by the forwards whereas Bath probably scored on just about every other time they breached the Saints twenty-two.

Tha Saints also lost Matt Dawson early on to a shoulder injury and never really recovered enough from this loss to mount a serious challenge

However all was not doom and gloom for the Saints and the one silver lining to the dark, dark cloud was a starring try scoring debut in the flyhalf betrh for James Brooks. The twenty year old academy player, as well as his try, made more breaks in an afternoon than we have probably seen all season from his position and only narrowly missed a long range drop. He looks like he may become a permanent fixture for years to come.

Saints started well and took the game to the home side who were soon on the backfoot. Having no answer to early forward domination Bath impeded on several occasions allowing Paul Grayson to kick the Saints to an early 6-0 lead.

Despite dominating this first quarter no more points were to come and all the good work was undone in Baths first attack of the half.
Mike Catt sent a finely weighted kick over to wing Iain Balshaw for an easy run in.
Matt Perry missed the conversion and the Saints reatined a slim one point advantage going into the break but in the ensuing moments of the half lost Matt Dawson who fell awkwardly on his shoulder. Gary Pagel also suffered what looked like a serious eye injury but despite Doctor Jon Raphaels advice he fought on to almost the end of the game.

Half time: Bath 5 Saints 6

The second half started with the Saints again threatening the Bath line but a turnover in the home twenty-two lead to their second score.
Mike Catt again took the iniative and fed Mike Tindall who linked with Perry as they carved through the Saints defence. Perry found Gareth Cooper who sprinted 30 yards for the score and his teams lead for the first time.

More was to follow minutes later as Catt and Tindall combined again in midfield to send the England centre over at pace with the Saints last line of defence again found lacking.

Saints regrouped and closed the gap momentarily through James Brooks well taken try. He took the ball on ten metres out and squirmed through two tacklers then evaded a third to go over for a well earned score by the posts.

However moments later a Saints player was adjudged by referee Steve Lander to have been over keen with the boot and Perry extended the home sides lead once more with an easy penalty.

Saints then put some new blood into the fray with Grant Seely coming on and skipper Pat Lam leaving the field. The Samoan goes for surgery on his troublesome shoulder on Monday and hopes to return to league action in February by which time he should also have had his British residency granted.

The Saints by now though were fighting a losing battle and had no answer to the Bath backs.
In the closing minutes Tom Voyce ran in two tries for Bath and the whistle could only come too soon for a defence that looked like it might leak points every time Mike Catt sent his three-quarters into space.

Its back to Europe next week for the Saints but with no hope of qualification for the later rounds it will be a time for regrouping for the end of season battle for next years European Cup places.

RESULT:
Bath: 36 Northampton Saints: 13

TEAMS:

SAINTS: Paul Grayson; Luca Martin, Allan Bateman, Matt Allen, Ben Cohen; James Brooks, Matt Dawson (Jim Bramhall 29min); Garry Pagel, Steve Thompson, Matt Stewart (Kelvin Todd 79min), Olivier Brouzet, Tim Rodber (Jon Phillips 40min), Andy Blowers, Budge Pountney, Pat Lam (capt, Grant Seely 61min).

Bath: M Perry; I Balshaw, K Maggs, M Tindall (S Berne 79min), T Voyce; M Catt, G Cooper; S Emms (D Barnes 52min), A Long (M Regaan 55min), J Mallett, M Haag, S Borthwick, G Thomas, B Clarke (capt, N Thomas 61min), D Lyle.

SCORERS:
SAINTS:
Try: Brooks
Conversion: Grayson
Penalties: Grayson (2)

Bath:
Tries: Balshaw, Cooper, Tindall, Voyce (2)
Cons: Perry 4.
Pens: Perry.

NAUGHTY BOYS:
SAINTS: None
Bath: None

Well none that were caught anyway!

REFEREE:
Steve Lander (RFU)

ATTENDANCE: 7802

WEATHER: Sunny, but cold