Saints v Bath - The corresponding fixtuture 01/02

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By From the Archives
September 20 2002

In the last look back at previous Saints v Bath encounters before the big game on Saturday we look back to the Gardens clash last season. It was the second game of the season for the Saints and the first one in front of new Tetleys and South Stand. As Geech said 'What a magnificent erection!'

Saints step up to clean out Bath.

Saints 26 Bath 7
Zurich Premiership
Franklins Gardens

The Saints greeted the opening of their two new stands with a workmanlike win over a disappointing Bath side at Franklins Gardens on Saturday. A try apiece for skipper Budge Pountney and home debutant Peter Jorgensen sealed the win while the boot of Paul Grayson kept the scoreboard ticking over.

The game, watched by a record 10,000 plus crowd, started with Bath taking the initiative but the Saints defence held firm then broke out to score the opening try on five minutes. Matt Dawson found Nick Beal, moved onto the wing to accommodate Grayson at fullback, pacing up on the flank. Finding the gap Nick sprinted 50 metres up the line and managed to hold up the ball in the tackle long enough to feed Budge Pountney to go over for the score. Larry converted from the touchline to extend the early lead.

It took Bath a full half hour to reply but in the meantime John Mallet found time to try and take Matt Dawson out of the game just as Martin Haag had at the Rec last season. Coincidence??? Olivier Brouzet and Danny Grewcock also found time for handbags at twenty paces. Referee White was having none of it though but despite several warnings he never reached for his pocket which certainly in Mallets case he should..

When Bath did score, as with the Saints try it came from deep. Good work from Maggs and Voyce put Welshman Gareth Cooper over for his teams only score of the day. Ollie Barkley converted for Baths last points of the day. Barkley had an off day and on this showing its Saints young flyhalf James Brooks who in the long run could be the pretender to Jonny Wilkinsons throne.

Half time: 7-7

The second half was virtually all Northampton. Time and time again they pounded the Bath and could have had a hat full. Lock Olivier Brouzet could have had a brace himself but it was left to the trusty boot of Paul Grayson to extend the difference between the teams.

'Larry' slotted over a couple of penalties in windy conditions and a finely taken drop goal to edge the Saints clear.
Bath were now playing in desperation and error followed error allowing the Saints to play the last quarter almost totally in the Bath twenty two.

To compound their problems, as they were pursuing the bonus point, a wild pass by Barkley was snaffled up by Wallaby Peter Jorgensen in midfield. He was left with a simple run in to seal the game for the Saints.

Larry converted to send the Franklins faithful home happy.

Although hard to judge how good a performance this was due to Baths inadequacies there was certainly a vast improvement on last weeks performance at Gloucester. Given time the Leslie Jorgensen coupling in midfield playing behind young James Brooks could be the key to a successful season for the Saints. In the forwards Tom Smith already looks like he has been playing for us for years while Olivier Brouzet just gets better and better every week.

Its up to Yorkshire next week to visit Premier new boys Leeds and with this showing the Saints can now travel north with some optimism.

Come On You Saints...........