News: Saints Sunk in the dying minutes - again
By Howlin'
December 3 2011
It is hard to credit that that was Tigers first home win of the season. Despite being a bitterly disappointed Northampton saints supporter, part of me is glad to see them back up at the right end of the table alongside the Saints.
Avia Premiership Round 10
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Welford Road Saturday 3rd Dccember 2012 K.O. 2:15pm
Leicester Tigers 30 Northampton Saints 25
Surely two of the greats of the modern game deserve to be dining at the top table. Both teams most definitely showed today that the world cup is well and truly over and forgotten. The players are back where they want to be and showing the sheer guts and determination that will surely see both these clubs challenging Saracens and Harlequins for the title come the end of the season. What a match !
Saints started the stronger and showed perhaps a greater level of flair. For me Foden was the classiest back on the pitch , threatening danger and exuding class every time he had the ball. By the time the teams had traded penalties the game had settled down and it looked like being a cracker.
The tension was palpable and when Ashton gave Tuilagi’s ringlets a tug all hell broke loose. Once again at Welford road the officials interpretation of events was left open to challenge as they sadly decided to sent two players off the pitch. Tuilagi and Wood both seeing red. Surely a couple of yellows would have been enough to calm things down. A flash point and a letting off of steam was inevitable in a game like this between two such fierce rivals. But both teams were punished harshly. Sadly for the Saints their loss was probably the greater.
It threatened to ruin the contest, Tigers began to get the upper hand, particularly in the scrums, and went in with a useful half time lead. Things looked bleak for the Saints. Manoa replaced Elliott to redress the balance in the forwards (with hindsight this decision maybe should have been made a little sooner) and the contest was beginning to even out, but 15-6 down at Welford road can seem like a mountain to climb.
But in the second half, against all the odds, we got the match we were expecting. A try by Ashton got the Gold Black and Green faithful hoping again and perhaps will quieten his growing band of critics for a while. As Saints and Tigers then exchanged both blows and tries the excitement grew to fever pitch. Saints took the lead, was this it ? But no. A wounded tiger is a dangerous beast and at the death victory was once again stolen from the mouths of the Northampton players. How cruel this game can be.
But I find it hard to feel down. We had our backs against the wall today. I felt many things went against us. But the team showed huge character. They played some scintilating rugby. The entire bench was used and contributed to some amazingly athletic and powerful play. If they can keep that standard up and cut out the few mistakes that are being made I can’t see many teams living with us. Leicester only just managed today and they fought like , well, tigers. I can see many more failing in the face of such an onslaught. Just think a losing bonus point away at Leicester 30-25 three tries. Many a season we would be happy with that. But no more. Keep this management team, keep the core players together and bring through the youngsters like Elliot, Nuttley and Heywood and I think we will have a lot more to cheer about over the coming seasons. How I wish that we get a chance for a rematch in the championship final !
Jim's view:
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Quote:John Rickerd
But the highlight for me was the arrival of the bench, which up our game, and that is a first.
Completely agree!
Thank you, H; well scribed, Sir!