News: Saints 38 v 24 Leeds - LV= Cup - a game of 2 halves
By Saint Martin
February 6 2011
If you ever need to find out what is meant by “a game of two halves” then look no further than Saints' encounter with Leeds this weekend. Firstly it was nice to back at the Gardens after Saints have been on their travels the past two weeks and it was a 3pm kick off as well for all you staunch traditionalists out there. Saints fielded what many would see as their strongest team - taking into consideration those away on other duties on what was a blustery afternoon but happy to say the forecasted rain did not materialise.
Franklin's Gardens
Northampton Saints v Leeds Carnegie
LV= Cup Final Pool stage
Saturday 5th February 2011 KO 3PM
1st half
Saints began the game in time honoured fashion by playing up the slope and receiving the kick off, this was caught expertly by Tonks who then noticing the lift tower appeared to see if he could hit the top of it. The line out passed without incident and after a few exchanges a knock on resulted in a scrum in centre field and what we have become use to this season as Sir raises his arm for a Saints penalty. Geraghty stepped forward and you could sense the collective holding of breath by all, followed by a mixture of groans, howls and laughter as the kick lurched horribly to the left hand side of the posts.
From the restart the ball was moved quickly through Saints hands, most notably to Phil Dowson on a couple of occasions before finally a knock on resulted in Leeds taking the ball into Saints territory. Leeds pressed forward with good attacking lines, moving the ball wide when necessary before being stopped just short of the try line however this was a brief respite as the ball duly emerged from the ruck with enough speed to be spun out to the overlap on the right wing where Leeds centre Ticknell dotted down for the first score which Thomas failed to convert. 9 minutes gone 5-0 down
Geraghty’s kick off failed to go the necessary ten and from the resulting scrum Leeds pinned Saints back inside their 22 with a well judged grubber kick. Saints duly took the ball at the line out and from the resulting maul Sharman headed up the touchline. Saints fans' fervour was dampened however by the ball being spilled before they could cross into Leeds territory and in a classic case of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” Leeds went through the phases once again with strong carries through the middle before being stopped short of the Saints line. Leeds were not to be defied, with the impressive Fourie burrowing over from short range. Thomas duly added the extras. 15 minutes gone and 12-0 down (I was starting to have a flashback to Newcastle of 2 seasons back)
This scoreline appeared to spur Saints into life and after some forward domination the ball was released to the backs where Geraghty made up for his earlier kicking mishap by breaking through the Leeds defence and although caught he was driven over the Leeds line between the sticks which touchdown (after dusting himself down) he duly converted. GAME ON, 22 minutes gone 12-7 down.
The resulting kick off was taken well by Tonks this time passing infield to Geraghty who found a good touch to half way in front of the Tetley faithful. Leeds however once again moved into Saints half and with good off loading and forward grunt they extended their lead via the extending arm of Leeds lock Craig who was tackled in front of the Saints line. This was converted and Leeds now led 19-7 – 26 minutes gone.
Saints sprang into life again and after one penalty too many Sir (Sean Davey) waved his yellow card and Leeds hooker Nilsen was despatched to the naughty step. Saints took swift action and the penalty was kicked to touch inside the Leeds 22. The forwards then efficiently drove the line out over the Leeds line where Sharman appeared from the pile of bodies after Sir raised his arm to the home fans delight. The try was not converted Leeds now led 19-12 with 30 minutes elapsed.
No further scores was added during the sin bin although Tongahuia showed us all some of his barn storming runs that we have grown to love him for. The final action of the half saw a Leeds penalty and shot at goal attempt fall short with the ball subsequently despatched into the crowd.The Saints team disappeared down the tunnel for a few “comforting” words from Big Jim.
2nd Half
The start of the second half saw two noticeable changes, firstly the impressive Fourie was wrapped in cotton wool possibly for England purposes and replaced by Wentzel whilst Saints Sorenson was replaced by Vickerman who introduced himself to the Gardens for the first time (once briefly seen at Edgeley Park by some travelling Saints).
Saints pressurised Leeds constantly from the kick off and were duly rewarded when Leeds were penalised in front of the posts, as the crowd bayed for a Leeds player to receive a yellow Geraghty took a quick tap and although tackled short of the line he recycled the ball speedily for the ever dependable Wilson to stroll over the line untouched. Try was duly converted by Reihana and the score was now level at 19 a piece (49 minutes gone).
Again within 10 minutes Saints had taken the lead after sustained pressure in the Leeds half resulted in Powell sending the defence the wrong way with a dummy pass and he dotted underneath the sticks, this was converted by Reihana. Saints lead 26-19 with the final quarter to begin.
More Saints dominance ensued as the opposition were kept on the back foot and Leeds struggled to release this building pressure by not escaping their 22. A try seemed inevitable with a Scrum on the Leeds 5m line, however this only resulted in an early fire evacuation of the Saints bench with the entire front row being replaced and Commins replacing Powell. Momentum was lost momentarily as Leeds cleared their lines but this was only to delay the inevitable as Commins darted underneath the posts following some powerful running by the impressive Vickerman. Reihana converted and Saints led 33-19 with 10 minutes remaining.
Geraghty was replaced after a good display by young Ford and I also then noticed Diggin had been replaced by Armstrong. Armstrong appeared to be keen to reacquaint himself with his previous colleagues and after some strong carries by both he and others, Ford's pass and Tonks' excellent line saw Tonks place the ball down for Saints' sixth try of the afternoon. The conversion went just wide from Reihana with the score now 38-19 with just over 5 minutes remaining.
At this point I assumed Saints may run in another score but this was not to be as Leeds who had been a strong and willing opponent all afternoon had the final say with a consolation try in the corner by the Leeds replacement Rowan, the kick was missed and the final whistle went. Saints win 38-24.
Shortly after it was announced that the South Stand was to evacuate as part of Saints H&S requirements, however amusingly only half of the stand was still populated as due to Saints dominance of the second half, many had exited early probably to avoid the traffic jams at the car parks.
Final thoughts
Overall a thoroughly enjoyable game for the fans with some noticeable performances from my view (standing in D Block) by Dowson (thanks MJ for not picking him, sorry Phil but England’s loss is Saints gain), Vickerman with a solid Gardens debut, Geraghty for his ability to keep all of us on our toes and finally Commins who though not on the pitch long, brought a noticeable injection of speed into both pass and movement.
We now embark on a testing few weeks with Saracens, Gloucester and, Bath to play before the end of the month but with the depth and quality in our squad I believe the men in GB&G can keep us in a strong position in the premiership before the Internationals return.
Thanks for reading.
Saint Martin
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I suppose we will have a report by Saint Valentine next week...
