In the Archive - Saints last continental visit.

By Rich in the Archive
April 8 2003

In our first look back into the Saints French game archive its back just a few months to the game down in the Basque country. A great time was had by all (apart from the last second of the game) but apparently Howlin missed it!

Saints lose to last gasp kick in France

By Rich not in Biarritz, not bitter!

Saints narrowly lost their Heineken cup encounter against the French champions; Biarritz Olympique Pays basque at the Parc des Sports, Aguilera. In a fast paced but error strewn encounter the result was decided with the very last kick.


Saints lost this Heineken cup encounter in the cruellest of fashions as former Gloucester scrum half, Dimitri Yachvilli, slotted the injury time penalty. Smudger and the team should however take a lot of heart from this encounter. They took on the French champions in their own backyard, were missing several key players and were not found wanting. Special mention should also go to the travelling hordes of Saints fans who dropped anchor at the Parc des Sports, Aguilera.

Before the match Saints were without their first choice centre pairing of John Leslie and Peter Jorgenson. The latter through injury and the former because his wife was expecting their baby. They were also denied hookers Dan Richmond who is recovering from a knee operation and Steve Thompson who was suspended for three yellow cards in 12 months. Wally's suspension has been a bone of contention all week as his sin binnings were not in European competition and he does not have a reputation as a dirty player or one who persistently infringes. Chris Budgen, the prop, was the stand in hooker with Welsh U21 Matt Miles on the bench. More changes still as Tom Smith was punished for lateness at a team meeting by relegation to the bench allowing Mattie Stewart to start alongside Budgen and Morris.

To the game and it was the customary 'hats on wheels' start. Unfortunately it was BO who adopted the chapeau approach. In fact they spent much of the first quarter with a surplus of territory and possession but no points. The fans fears of the deep and steep French backline proved unfounded as they adapted a flat Zurich Premiership attack that was easy to defend both for it's poor passing and lateral movement.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when Saints first foray over half way ended in handbags and three points from Larry's trusty boot.

The first points seemed to bring the game to life. Bernatt-Salles was the player to realise that if you play the flat ZP/superleague style of attack then the dab into the in goal area is a top ploy. Peyrelongue was the benefactor as both Oriol Ripol and Mark Tucker floundered hopelessly to prevent the try. Yachvilli converted to make the score 7-3.

Saints were clearly affronted by BO's score and mounted an impressive attack of their own. Good breaks and excellent recycling put Nick Beal on an arcing run and then to beat the cover in the corner he used his trademark stop and flop technique. Grayson converted and the Saints led once more 7-10.

Yachvilli kicked his first successful penalty a few minutes later to give a half time score of 10-10.

Tom Smith was allowed off the bench for Mattie Stewart in the second half. His introduction steadied a struggling Saints scrum against the star studded French tight five and his tackle late in the second half more than made up for his pre-match tardiness.

Saints were first out of the blocks after the break as BO put themselves under needless pressure. Fly half Peyrelongue marked Oriol Ripol’s chip and chase, he tapped and then passed to full back Brusque, Connors charged down the kick and then stretched over the line for the try. Grayson converted and Saints led once more 10-17.

Grayson and Yachvilli exchanged penalties as the match rose to its climax in the final quarter.
The BO tight five aided and abetted by the excellent back row of Betson, Lievremont and Milheres were making good yards through impressive mauling and Saints defence worked miracles to keep them out.

Then into the last ten minutes of the match BO finally found the gap in the defence, as Saints were undermanned on the blind side. Lievremont scored and Yachvilli converted to leave the match poised at 20 all.

Into injury time the referee indicated four minutes of time to be added on. Perhaps it's a petty bone of contention but BO won the game in the seventh minute of injury time. At a lineout in their own 22, Saints started their defensive drive too early and took the ball carrier out in the air. On other occasions, notably Steve Williams last week against Ulster, referees ignore this action. However in front of a partisan Basque crowd Mr. Rolland chose to give the penalty that cost the match. Yachvilli kept his head to kick the goal and that was that.

So what does this mean for Saints European campaign? Well it's not too negative; they've performed well in taking on the French champions, under strength and away from Franklins Gardens. If the group goes to form, and that's always a big IF then the pressure is on BO to come to Northampton looking for a result. Most of all Saints have shown the 'pride in the jersey' that coach Smith places great emphasis upon.

The final word must go to the Eurosport commentary team of seasoned broadcaster Nigel Starmer-Smith and the bewildering Jeff Probyn. The former England prop announced how interesting it would be to see whom Grant Seely was about to replace. Indeed Wayne Smith was pulling another one of his Southern Hemisphere genius masterstrokes by replacing Mark Soden at no.8 with the clubs other specialist in this position. Whatever next?