Rejuvenated Saints down Quins in five pointer

By Chris Gleadell
May 4 2003

In conditions that did nothing to aid any brand of 'hats on wheels' rugby the Saints came back from the dead to secure a maximum five point win over the Quins at a dark and gloomy Stoop on Friday night.

The teams were led out by the retiring Keith Wood who got the loudest cheer of the night from the multi-coloured ones, they would have little else of cheer in the next 80 minutes.
In a game that could hardly be described as inspiring both sides battled for supremacy early as Quins strived to ensure top flight rugby and a wildcard place while Saints strove to cement a European place and bypass the potential banana skin of the wildcard games.

The deadlock was broken with an early Larry penalty before Paul Burke hit back with a brace of his own to give the home side a 6-3 lead but it was Saints who were gradually gaining the upper hand. With the half petering out from the base of a ruck Daws fed a lively John Leslie in midfield. Long John skipped inside a tackle and fed Andy Blowers coming up on his shoulder. As 'Hurricane' went to put the killer pass in for a Darren Fox run in the ball was knocked forward deliberately by Nathan Williams and referee Robin Goodliffe had no option but to award the penalty try. Although it looked harsh at the time video replays later proved it was (for once) the right decision by Mr Goodliffe as a certain try was prevented by a flailing arm taking the ball out of play.

Matt Dawson, now kicking to save young Mr Graysons legs, slotted over the conversion to send Saints in 10-6 up at the break.

Quins shone briefly at the start of the second half but poor handling, especially from an out of sorts Dan Luger, possibly in his last game at the Stoop, let them down when the chances came. Saints regrouped and drove upfield and from a five metre lineout Steve Thompson threw to the tail for Mark Connors. Suporting forwards drove the ball on before Brett Sturgess, starting in place of the injured Tom Smith, was bundled over for the score, his own personal double against Quins this season.

The Daws conversion kept the scoreboard ticking over before Quins ate back a piece of the lead in search of at least a losing bonus point with another Burke penalty on the hour with Saints leading 17-9 going into (what we thought) was the last quarter.

The Saints though increased their lead minutes later, Larry popped a pass over the dimintive Burke to the waiting hands of Nick Beal two yards outside the Quins twenty two. Bealer gave a show of the ball and a feint of his shoulders and was away shimmying and shammying through three Quins defenders to break through in the corner and score under the posts with barely a finger laid on him.

Then came a debatable penalty try for the home side. From a lineout the Quins drove towards the line. With the ball clearly out (and Mr Goodliffe clearly not showing advantage) Darren Fox misjudged his timing and took man rather than ball. It was a clear penalty and arguably a yellow card for Foxy but certainly not the penalty try Goodliffe awarded as Quins were far from certain of scoring with the Saints defence still holding two yards out. Call me one eyed but it may have been more of a case of levelling things up rather than a correct decision.

The 'try' did however finally bring the game to life in a hats on wheels finale with Burke hitting a long range drop on 84 minutes which would have secured the bonus point that could have proved crucial for his club.
The Saints though had a bonus point of their own in sight and on 88 minutes the constant pressure finally bore fruition.

A deft crossfield kick by Larry bounced behind a wrong footed Luger with Ben Cohen waiting to pounce.
Ben took the ball in the air drew two defenders then popped the ball inside to a waiting Mark Tucker who dived over the line for the all important fourth try in almost the last movement of the game.

Although not a pretty game by any stretch of the imagination given the conditions (and it has to be said the lighting) the Saints were worth the win and with Sale losing yesterday an outside chance of a championship tilt has been carved out of a season which looked all but over a matter of weeks ago.

On dry pitches the Saints might just be hitting form at the right time. Watch out Leeds!!!

Saints: Nick Beal; Oriol Ripol ( J Sleightholme, 70), Peter Jorgensen ( Mark Tucker, 70), J0hn Leslie, Ben Cohen; Paul Grayson, Matt Dawson; Brett Sturgess ( Kelvin Todd, 52), Steve Thompson, Robbie Morris (Brett Sturgess, 68), Matt Lord, Mark Connors, Darren Fox, Budge Pountney ( Rob Hunter, 70), Andrew Blowers (Grant Seely, 75).

Scores: Pen Try, Sturgess, Beal, Tucker.
Conversions: Dawson 4.
Penalty goal: Grayson .

Quins: N Williams; D Luger, W Greenwood (R Jewell), M Deane, B Gollings; P Burke, S Bemand (M Powell); C Jones ( B Starr), T Fuga, J Dawson ( L Gomez), W Davison, S Miall, R Winters, A Vos, A Diprose.

Scores: Pen Try.
Conversion: Burke.
Penalty goals: Burke 3
Dropped goal: Burke