Question: Who was your MoTM in the tale of two halves at home against Irish at home?

The first half started well until a wild pass from Bruce Reihana was picked up by an Irish wing who managed to run the length of the field and score an unconverted try.  Saints managed to pull back three points four minutes later through the boot of Stephen Myler.  Like last week the Saints scrum really had the bit between its teeth and was causing the London Irish pack all sorts of problems.    The first Saints try of the day was a contender for try of the Season as Tiny barrelled his way forward allowing Dylan to burst through the disorganised defence before off loading to Scott Gray.  Quick hands through Lee Dickson put Jurandre Kruger through to score by the posts which Myler converted.  This gave the Saints the lead for the first time something they would not relinquish.  The final action of the half saw Courtney Lawes flatten Topsy Ojo and as he fell he offloaded to Dickson who score in the corner.  The resultant score at half time of 21- 8 was not real reward for a Saints team that were dominant in most areas of play.  The big worry was had they scored enough?

The second half was a very nervous affair as London Irish set out to prove why they had been at, or near, the top of the table all season.  Irish dominated the second half despite playing 10 minutes with 14 men after Danaher saw yellow for hands in the ruck.  During this period Saints did not manage to increase their score but Irish did through three penalties from Armitage.  Fortunately for Saints he also missed one and so we approached the final minutes with Irish just four points behind and with their tails distinctly up!  Serious rear guard action and a not straight line out just allowed Saints to preserve the lead and to claim another victory and the best home record of any club in the League.

So who caught the eye?

 This was one of those weeks where every single player received at least one vote - showing what a team we have become. Saying that there were four players that did catch the eye of the 92 who voted.

In fourth place with just under 11% was James Downey.  James always comes to the fore when Saints need to defend heroically.  He is key to the defensive organisation at this game was no exception.

In third with 14% was Jurandre Kruger.  Much was made of the possibility of Victor Matfield coming to the gardens and although that did not happen - I for one am very glad that Jurandre made the journey north.  He is a key player in a transformed line out and is a dynamic ball carrier who certainly isn't work shy.

Second place belonged to Euan Murray - fresh from his win last week - who continued to give his opposite prop in the scrum a torrid time.  Euan, for such a quiet spoken young man, certainly makes himself felt on the pitch.  Euan received 16% of the votes.

The winner this week, however, was Joe Ansbro who got over 18% of the votes.  Joe is deceptively strong defensively.  It is a joy to watch how he lines someone up before felling them.  I cannot recall someone getting past him.  To add to that he has an eye for the gap and is quick over the first few yards.  Joe is a real prospect and unfortunately for us Sassenachs Joe has nailed his colours to the Saltire.  I wish him every success - apart from when he plays England of course.  Well done Joe on your first win of the season.

With a maximum of three games left and Roger Wilson injured during this game it means that Paul Diggin now has an unassailable lead at the top of the leader board.  Well done to our pocket rocket winger.

It is all to play for however in the divisional stakes as the forwards on 17 wins have a two game lead over the combined back division.

Full Result

Previous Winners

Vote History

Who wins?

It is all to play for however in the divisional stakes as the forwards on 17 wins have a two game lead over the combined back division.

Leader Board

There have now been 15 different winners of the MoTM poll and amazingly there are 7 backs and 8 forwards in the mix.  We could almost put out a team just from the winners of the polls!  I don't recall this being anywhere near possible in previous seasons.  I think this shows just what a team Big Jim and Doreen are building.

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