Stockers reflects on the trip to Bristol

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By Stockers
June 3 2002

On a day which was almost too warm for cricket, let alone rugby, Saints travelled to Bristol for the Zurich Championship semi final and the chance of a second Twickenham final. This, in a season which had looked so dismal prior to the signing of ex All Blacks coach, Wayne Smith.

Several hundred of the faithful Saints following had struggled through heavy Bank Holiday traffic to reach the Memorial Ground which had an appearance not unlike the beach at Weston super Mare, such was the amount of sand on the pitch. All that was missing were the donkeys.

Fortunately, the Saints “donkeys” (and I use that term affectionately) were present and took the game up front to a Bristol side who had ample motivation to achieve victory. Qualification for the Heineken Cup for the first time ever was the main prize at stake for the Shoguns, but the chance of that Twickenham final for a side who had despatched Tigers in the previous round must also have been high on the team’s agenda.

If ever Keith Barwell and Malcolm Pearce sit down for lunch together, the two must be tempted to discuss merging the two sides on show yesterday. The dogged determination of the Saints pack allied to the cutting inciveness of the Bristol backs would produce one of the most complete teams in the Premiership.

Whilst the Saints pack had the better of the set scrums and their pick and drive game looked as productive as ever in gaining hard yards, the Northampton backs looked thoroughly indecisive. More than once they were caught in defence, dithering about amongst themselves, offloading short range passes, when a clearance kick was the only sensible option.

Only Craig Moir, in one of his best displays of the season, seemed to want to prove to Wayne Smith that he should be in the squad next season.

Nick Beal had one of those days when he must wonder if there is an easier way to make a living. At one moment thrilling with his pace on the counter attack, the next frustrating with sheer inability to give a decent pass or to clear the ball safely in defence.

The centres looked very second class compared to the Bristol midfield and often only a scrambling defence prevented Shoguns from rattling up a cricket score. James Brooks didn’t see much action on the wing and one wonders why Smith failed to bring on Joe Shaw at all or to reshuffle the back division to produce a more positive feel to proceedings. One wonders if the pack are actually talking to their higher numbered colleagues yet!

Whilst the pack didn’t seem to miss Tom Smith too badly, the news that Matt Dawson was absent with a leg strain was greeted before kick off with a look of resignation by most Saints fans. The lack of quality in depth at scrum half is something which the club must address before next season.

And Larry, normally Mr Dependable with the boot, had a bad day at the office as well. The Saints kicking coach would do well to take lessons from the Bristol no 10. Felipe Comtepomi. The Argentinean half back was the star of the show. There were no signs that this particular international, nor his fellow countryman and half back partner Pichot were saving themselves for their nation’s forthcoming test matches against England. They were crucial parts of a Bristol team effort where collective will and undying team spirit prevailed in a match where the Bristol pack were under pressure. Except, of course, in the line out.

On a windy day, Saints yet again persisted with long throws to the tail which were adjudged not straight or to the front where the Shoguns jumpers often disrupted Saints throw in. It’s a familiar sounding failure. Next season must be better in this vital area.

All in all, a tired looking end of season performance from the Saints, many of whom look as though the summer rest has not come too soon. The usual suspects tried their best. Robbie Morris had a good all round game, Wally was strong in the loose but poor in the line out. Grant Seely, like Craig Moir, re-posted his cv with Wayne Smith and both had excellent individual games, Moir only being denied a probable try due to a professional foul by Bristol hooker McCarthy which lead to him being sin binned. Andy Blowers was again dominant in a good all round performance by the pack who kept Saints in the game for long periods.

Wayne Smith will now know only too well which areas of his squad need rebuilding during the summer and beyond. As Keith Barwell has said, the same treatment as the Main Stand is undergoing will be applied to the team. It is a pity that some players on view yesterday did not re-apply for their jobs as effectively as they might.