Cherries picked in early raid by Saints
By Simon Robinson
March 13 2005
Saints ran out 26 - 18 winners at Kingsholm today, giving them two league wins on the bounce for the first time since New Year's Day. A day of debuts - first tries for centres Stcherbina and Starling, as well as the first glimpse of second row Alex Codling, added to the hopes for Premiership safety.
The match started in similar vein to the Leicester match a fortnight ago, with Saints on the attack from the first. A worrying injury to Gloucester lock Adam Eustace meant an early entrance for replacement Mark Cornwell. Saints went on an attack through John Rudd, who sent Neil Starling through for his first score in only his third match. Drahm added the conversion and the lead was 7 - 0 after the quarter hour.
Three minutes later, Marc Stcherbina barged through a stubborn Gloucester defence to add five more to the tally, with Drahm's extras this left the Saints 14 - 0 up, with both sets of supporters in shock. Consolation came for Gloucester minutes later when Henry Paul sneaked a penalty inside the left hand post, shaving off several layers of paint in the process. 14 - 3.
A more difficult kick on 26 minutes was dispatched with ease, 14 - 6 and the home team were on the way back. Saints went on the defensive for the rest of the half, holding their lines and 14 - 6 was the score at the break.
Changes for both teams in the front row just after half time - Olivier Azam and Brett Sturgess entering the fray for Noel Curnier and Simon Emms respectively. Gloucester made the best of early pressure and had a try attempt held up on 47 minutes.
Shane Drahm extended the Northampton lead on 55 minutes with another penalty: 17 - 6 to the visitors. Andy Blowers took ten minutes rest for pulling down a maul near the Saints line, with John Rudd filling in at 8 when needed. Alex Codling strengthened the pack during the sinbinning, replacing Damien Browne.
Another Drahm penalty on 65 minutes put the Saints 20 - 6 up, at which point it seemed like Saints were sure to win - how many games have been lost from similar points though, especially at Castle Grim? Andy Vilk replaced fellow Academy centre Starling on 68 minutes, and almost immediately took a knock on the head for his trouble.
70 minutes and it was Gloucester's turn to be a man down, Azam departing for the same offence as Blowers. Drahm converted a penalty chance minutes later to leave the home side needing three scores to draw, at 23 - 6. Ross Beattie replaced Grant Seely and Andy Blowers returned, on 73 minutes.
Saints performed their classic tactic - falling asleep at the end - and let in two late tries. 74 minutes and Marcel Garvey capitalised on some well worked Gloucester moves to score in the corner, substitute kicker Brad Davies missed the difficult conversion, to leave it 23 - 11.
Saints extended the lead with another Drahm penalty, and as full time approached, Glouceter's replacement full back Nathan Mauger came through for the second try, with Davies' conversion the gap was now 26 - 18, and Gloucester pushing hard for the bonus point. Sadly, a long touch finder went dead, Saints had a scrum back on the Gloucester 10 metre line, and the game was over.
The Jimmies played well, but Gloucester's extended Powergen semi final against Bath on Sunday showed. The Saints pack stood their ground against a weakened and exhausted Gloucester eight, but the backs at Kingsholm were still powerful. Saints' indiscipline at the breakdown was still giving the home side a lot of penalty opportunities however, and a stronger Glaws side may well have taken them.
Notable performances from Richmond, Krige, Blowers, Howard, Drahm, Stcherbina and Reihana - but this was a fifteen (plus four subs) man performance. If we can play like that for the rest of the season, we should be safe in the league and pushing for European honours. A try for England's solitary Saint, Steve "Wally the winger" Thompson at Twickenham capped the day. There was also big cheer for England's last try in the Teague pub, can't think why?