Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints Slew Sarries in the ECC semi at the Gardens?

In the time between the game away at Sale and this semi final the Saints second string (the mighty Wanderers) had managed to secure the A League competition - beating Wasps home and away.  This made up for a defeat the previous season when Wasps soundly beat the Wanderers away.  This year it was all so different with the Wandies winning the away leg and following up during this week with a home win in front of over 3,000 people at the Gardens.  It was a fitting ending to some of the players careers with Saints.  Barry Stewart - fresh from playing at Sale on the Saturday turned out in the front row - as did Ashton and Lamont in the backs.  Amongst the departees was the captain of the day Alex Rae.  I will miss Alex and I expect him to do a very good job for the Blues.  I look forward to being able to visit when Saints are on the road.

The main event was however the European Challenge Cup semi final and the visit of SAracens (sorry Large) .  The new management at Saracens organised a gathering in the car parks with nibbles and free beer.  Flags were handed out and the gathering marched to the entrances to welcome their team.  All of this made for a large and somewhat noisy away support and for once we did not go into our shells.  The Fezheads (sorry Large that is two now) had brought their horns with them and proceeded to try and drown out any home singing - what funny chaps they are!  This did not work and the home support just sang louder and louder.

The tension in the ground had obviously also got to the players as almost from the off there were scuffles in the forwards.  The man in the middle struggled for the first few minutes with this but eventually had enough and sent the two hookers to the sin bin to think about what the spectators had come to watch!  By this time it was 6 - 3 to the Saints with two Myler penalties cancelling out an early strike from Glen(da) Jackson.  Saints had in truth far the better of this opening half and just rewards was when Captain Bruce Bruce Reihana went over after Tiny had made a devastating break up field leaving the  Sarries defence disorganised allowing his skipper the space to score.  Myler cooly slotted the extras and put Saints 13 - 3 to the good.  There was no further score in the first half despite a Paul Diggin chip and chase right on the whistle.

Once again the second half proved to be rather different as Saracens woke up and pressed forward in attack with Saints being on the back foot for most of the time.  On 52 minutes Glenda landed another penalty  and put Saracens within a converted try of tying the score.  The away team continued to pummel away at the Saints defence and it felt like it was only a matter of time......  Indeed it was and on 73 mins Saracens went over and Glenda got the slightly tricky conversion to tie the scores.  With the momentum in favour of the away team no one in the home support was relishing the possibility of extra time.  Fortunately for us all the team had other ideas.  Far from collapsing they stood up and were counted.  Captain Bruce Bruce drove upfield and set up a ruck (he does pass as well you know Eif) - Myler stepped back into the pocket, the pass from Dickens was on the money and Stephen Myler calmly slotted the ball over to regain the lead.  There was however still a tricky four minutes to go.

Fortunately the compsure was retained and when they got their hands on the ball - Saints decided that Sarries couldn't win the game without it.  From somewhere the crowd managed to summon what was left of their shattered vocal chords and bellowed out the countdown as the clocked ticked to zero.  It was then a simple tap into touch and the celebrations could begin.  I will always remember Tom Smith being chaired (somewhat uncomfortably) round the ground on two players of very unequal height!

I would like to thank the Saracens supporters who I met.  They were loud, proud and a credit to their club.

So the dream of silverware and a place in the big boys cup continued.  Only Bourgoin to beat the in two weeks time!!!!

So who caught the eye?

 Many many thanks to the 171 people who voted for this game. There were really three stand out players and all have been mentioned above.

In third place with a typical captains performance and 9.5% of the votes was Bruce Reihana.  Bruce scored the try, set up the vital ruck and played out of his skin across the park.

In second place with 24% of the votes was Soane "Tiny" Tonga'uiha.  Tiny has been a revelation this season in the loose.  He is back to what I saw when he played for the Blues but now instead of terrorising ND1 teams he is doing it in the Guinness Premiership.  This is a welcome sight for the faithful as he charges at the opposition lines.  All together now - "Whats that coming over the hill?  Is it a Tongan, Is it a Tongan?"

The winner with 26% was the man pulling the strings at fly half.  Stephen Myler was calmness personified as he slotted over the crucial drop goal.  He has so much talent - just needs to be a little more consistent and we will lose him to the national squad.  You have been warned Stephen.

Full Result

Previous Winners

Vote History

Who wins?

So with one final game to go in the divisional stake it is all square with both the combined back division and the forwards having 17 wins each.  What a nice balance.

Leader Board

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Sale Away - MoTM
• London Irish at the Gardens - MoTM
• Saints V Connacht in the ECC Quarter Final MoTM