Saints second half storm sinks Bristol

By Rich not on the Spot
May 9 2002

The Saints took a step closer to Europe this evening with a good win in a ‘ding-dong’ battle down at the Memorial stadium and now a win against Newcastle will secure at least 5th place in the Zurich premiership and possibly set up a revenge mission with our friends at London Irish.

A ferocious start from both sides saw Robbie Morris go to the sin bin with only 5 minutes gone. To the Saints credit they weathered the storm and by the time Morris returned it was 3-3 as Contepomi and Larry the boot traded penalties.

Bristol missed a clear scoring chance as the game ebbed and flowed before Contepomi restored their lead to 6-3 on 24 minutes.

Then Saints sprung to life. A solid line out led to some good driving and Andy Blowers appeared through a hole in the defence to score from 10 metres out. Grayson converted to take the score to 6-10 on 27 minutes.

That was the good Saints. The team we all know and love but then the bad saints reared their head! With the next meaningful passage of play Rees scored for Bristol to regain the lead 11-10 and then four minutes later Pichot popped over from a good attacking scrum, after a clever Contepomi kick had given the home side an excellent field position. Contepomi converted and the score was 18-10 after 33 minutes.

Saints once again gathered themselves (I told you it was ding-dong) and Grayson pulled 3 back in the 38th minute after some cynical penalty giving by Bristol. However it was another Saint in the bin on 40 minutes as Blowers was shown yellow. Contepomi kicked the resulting penalty to give a half time score of 21-13.

After half time the 14 man saints made an excellent start as Bristol were again content to give away the three points. Grayson kicked the PG’s on 44 and 49 minutes to take the score to 21-19 and sandwiched between these kicks Ben Cohen came on for Nick Beal.

Bristol increased the lead to 24-19 when Contepomi kicked another penalty but this way short lived. Dawson replaced Malone and then good attacking from Saints saw Contepomi shown yellow and Grayson reduce the deficit to 24-22 on 56 minutes.

Like the Saints Bristol were determined not to let the shortage of manpower tell an indeed Pichot’s intelligent drop goal restored the 5 point gap to 27-22 just a minute later.

Saints however had their tails up and could sense victory. Tries from the impressive Joe Shaw in the 69th minute and from captain Budge in the 72nd minute killed Bristol off with the score at 27-37. Saints pushed hard for the bonus point but it just wouldn’t happen.

Shaw’s try was from the patient build up play we all know the Saints can produce but Budge’s was something a bit more rare for our boys in the gold, black and green. Bristol had a good attacking lineout in Saints territory, which they secured, but Contepomi knocked on, Grayson recovered the ball as referee White played advantage and the Saints swept downfield. Bristol recovered to stop the breakaway but Budge completed the job with one of his trademark burrows.

Final words on the match must go to Jorgy and his amazing tackling. In one gersplatterating big hit he left poor Higgins out cold for Bristol and himself in a completely dazed and disorientated state. To most people’s amazement the big-hearted Aussie tried to play on and indeed made further tackles before being relieved of duty. To the last of the doubters, I think this proves he’s added Black to his gold and green.
So to Sunday and with a successful season still there to play for, I for one am looking forward to my trip to the Gardens.

Job Done – Come on you Saints!