Saints step up to get back in the winning groove.

By Saint Rich on the Spot
April 28 2002

Starting with a cliché, ‘that was just what the doctor ordered!’ Not the best game I’ve ever seen with lots of errors and maybe some soft defending at times but 52-27 is another good score and another bonus point as the Saints continue the march for a European place.

Before the game, in front of a reduced crowd of 8 429, the talk was of fans appreciation day with cheap beer in the bars and the thank you flyers at the turnstiles. The Saints Supporters Club presented Phil Pask with £3000 for some new physio equipment. On the tannoy Geoff Allen joked that Steve Lander was today’s referee. The atmosphere was building and it was nice to see some vociferous away support on the terrace. Budge led the Saints out accompanied by the two mascots one of which, Ben Coleman, is the son of our very own West Midlands Saint and the Gardens roared for it’s heroes to perform.

To the game and true to their word the Saints game out firing on all cylinders. After Sarries kicked off from a ridiculously high tee, Saints gained possession and retained the ball well. The attack appeared to fizzle ponderously out as Dom Malone weighed up his options. Dawson’s apprentice decided to emulate the former England and surprise almost everyone in the ground with a dazzling break. The forwards supported well to add continuity and the Malone fed Grayson whose intelligent pass put Beal through for the try. Grayson, who judged the blustery wind well, converted and the score was 7-0 after just 3 minutes.

Sarries replied with a Luke Smith penalty on 7 minutes whilst Grayson continued his impressive kicking display with two further penalties as saints matched the clock with a 13-3 lead on 13 minutes.

However Sarries had an interesting ploy in the scrums of wheeling and driving from the base at the last moment. This tactic (which I’m sure the message board’s technical analyst St.Broon can elaborate on,) enables the attacking back row, scrum half and a winger to get away from the defending back row and create a forwards versus backs mis match and usually an overlap. Their persistence with this tactic bore points as Shanklin scored a well-worked try and Luke Smith converted to level the scores at 13-13.

Luckily for the Saints this tactic did not go unnoticed for much longer. At the next break in play Steve ‘Wally’ Thompson brought the advice on for Tom Smith and Robbie Morris and the Sarries scrum wheeled to the blind side no more.

Clearly annoyed that the fez boys had crossed the home line Saints upped the pace and power. My man of the match, Olivier Brouzet, led the charge with a powerful drive into the opposition 22, good hands saw Malone feed Grayson, then onto Leslie, Seely came into the line, onto Beal and then the inside ball saw Kingsthorpe’s finest canter over.

Grayson kicked the conversion again; in fact he was having one of those days with 9 successful kicks from 9 attempts. He kicked two more penalties in the first half. One of which was the result of Roche’s indiscretion that finally got referee Maybank reaching for his pocket. Half time score 26-13.

My personal moment of the first half again involved referee Maybank and the one and only Strongie of the lard. As Northants top crime fighter sought to give the referee the benefit of his expert opinion, Mr Maybank looked him in the eye and pulled the best boggle eyed face since at the Gardens this season. Well-done ref!
Into the second half and if Sarries had plotted a revival their plans were undone by Dan Richmond’s 42nd minute try. Like Irish the week before, the Watford based pack pulled down the driving maul, as Saints got close to the goal line. Overwhelmed with scoring options, Malone contrived not to take any but the pack retained well and Richmond drove in to the post. I’m not sure of the rules concerning the goal post pads on these occasions but Mr Maybank decided that they were part of the goal line and awarded the try. Grayson chipped over the conversion and the Saints were pulling clear at 33-13.

Sarries must have felt sick at Saints next score. They had gained quick ball and were building an attack but the wise old head of John Leslie had worked them out. He intercepted their long midfield pass and using the help of a one two with Jorgy, went over for the fourth try and bonus point. 40-13.

Smudger then started o twist the knife with the introduction of his loaded bench. Thompson and Stewart replaced the impressive young duo of Richmond and Morris on 52 minutes and to great applause Dawson replaced Malone on 58 minutes.

More good work from the forwards saw Sarries conceding lots of penalties but saints continued to tighten their grip. Cohen’s quick tap allowed Soden, another youngster having a good game, to drive over the line. Once again Grayson converted 47-13.

The Saints seemed to take their foot off the gas in the final quarter and allowed Sarries in for tries from Harbutt and another for Shanklin however the game was over as a genuine contest and their were more significant events than the score.

On 69 minutes the luckless Grant Seely, who had performed well in the traditional back row roles as well as being a strong presence in the lineout, was stretchered off with what looked like another serious injury. Wayne Smith said after the match that he was awaiting a medical report even though Seely appeared to be making a good recovery. Rob Hunter was the replacement.

Minutes earlier the travelling fez heads had their wishes come true as Thomas Castaignede entered the game. He was well received by both sets of supporters and looks well on the road to recovering his form.

Youngster Arthur Brenton replaced Brouzet on 76 minutes to a great ovation that was well deserved. Grayson also gave way to Moir meaning the versatile Brooks switched to the fly half berth where he has shown some early promise.

Into the final minutes, or at least they should have been, were it not for the 9 minutes of time added on! Budge Pountney decided he wanted first go at the bath water by gaining his obligatory yellow card for foul play. To be fair it was a good decision as he illegally prevented a potential scoring pass, Budge as always, knew what he was doing and didn’t look too surprised at the decision.

The 14 man Saints had the last word as the forwards decided to get their captain a try. Thompson, Phillips, Stewart and Tom Smith were all involved before the popular Rob Hunter scored in the corner. With Grayson off the pitch, Dawson took over the kicking duties but could not emulate his half back partner in crime with the final kick of the match.

After the game Wayne Smith said he was proud of the heart shown after last weeks disappointments and singled out the old heads of Brouzet and Tom Smith for fronting up and showing the youngsters how it’s done. He also said the 6 changes from the cup final line up had been tactical to reduce the hangover and take the pressure off some of the star names. If Smudger feels he got it wrong last week, I think we should give credit where it’s due. Once again the team have gained maximum points in front of their home crowd.

The final word goes to the lap of honour by the players including Jorgy clutching a bag of ice! A more illustrious commentator than I said it would take the Saints months to recover from their Twickenham experience. I’d say they were well on the road to recovery.