Wasps V Saints MoTM
By Saint Tim
November 3 2010
Over the past aeon Saints have always come unstuck at Wasps. I do not think we have won at the Lost Causeway since Wasps decamped from London to leafy Buckinghamshire. Many times we have travelled there in hope only to head home with our tails between our legs having been on the wrong end of another cussed display from the Wasps pack.
Pick your MoTM as Saints demolished Wasps at the Lost Causeway!
For a couple of season now however there have been signs that Wasps are not the force they once were. LBND is no longer refereeing the games and the nasty boys in the pack are now either at or past their sell by date and are prone to injury. Thus when the grand old man that is Simon Shaw was withdrawn with an injury a wicked gleam came into the eyes of Dorian West. He had a plan. A plan to turn the tables on Wasps and to royally beat them up – up front where it matters (to a forwards coach that is). I am sure Big Jim agreed – but even if he didn’t the forwards just stuck it up their jumper and pushed the Pests all over the pitch.
I cannot remember when Saints had such a pack – big, dynamic, mobile, strong and able to put the proverbial foot on another packs throat and not let go. Also and just as importantly they are collectively a very young unit. Sure we have had flashes in the past – but normally it doesn’t last the whole game. Well this time it did – apparently. Why apparently? Well I could not make this game, I could not see this game via the wonders of the internet, and instead I was kept up to date as I travelled the open miles between Villiers and Johannesburg by texts from St Marlowes. What an excellent chap he is. It certainly had the miles flying by as I wondered how on earth we could be scoring and Wasps weren’t. (That reminds me I still owe David a pint for the updates but he was on the sponsors jolly last week so he missed out). Having made it back to Jo’burg I avidly read the reports and the posts and was amazed at what I read. I then got to see the highlights and a broad grin came over my face which to be honest has hardly left since. This truly could be a team to challenge for the very top places.
So, who caught the eye?
In third place with 15% was Stephen Myler. Stephens goal kicking was not 100% but he calmed his nerves when he brushed off Dave Walder and powered over the line for a try. Stephen does look more aggressive in his line breaks this season. An interesting note by the way is that so far we have not had a winner of the MoTM from the half backs. In previous seasons these influential positions have often shone through. Not so far this year.
In second place with 21.5% was the man we call Tiny. You hardly have to open the sports pages to read about how Soane is redefining the role of a prop in the modern game. He is all those things I said about the Saints pack in one man. His style of play is surely rubbing off on Big Brian as well. Surprisingly Soane Tonga’uiha is yet to top the pile.
The winner and Tada the first second win of the season for any player was Courtney “Long Arm” Lawes with 38% of the votes. Finally after 8 games we have a break away leader on the leaderboard! It is hard to believe that Courtney is so young. He carries all before him when on form – and boy is he on form at the moment. I just hope that England take good care of him and send him back to the Saints in one peice.
So far this season the forwards are dominating in the MoTM stakes as well as on the pitch – well almost. This was the fifth win for the forwards as opposed to three for the back division.
And finally thank you to the 79 who voted. I know it was not televised and it was at the lost causeway so that is a good number to get. I am hoping we can start to get over 100 votes for each match. Well one can hope!
To see the full results and analysis please click through to the following page.
There is still time to vote for your MoTM as Saints pushed Falcons all over the pitch.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
We've got some pack haven't we. Just like the old days, when Saints had the best forwards in the land.
It's a rare week when all three highlighted players could have been - justifiably - MOTM, but there's no quibble with the winner, and may he win many more...
Please don't ask me to tell you why I voted for Courtney - I've been to bed since then.
----------------------------------------
Please sponsor me for Saints with Heart [www.justgiving.com]
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Saint til I die