Heineken Cup Pool 1 Round 2

USAP v Northampton Saints 

Stade Aime Girale 

Friday 15th October KO 21:00

Due to some last minute work commitments, I had to change my arrangements and travel to Perpignan on the Friday, rather than the leisurely trip by train originally planned for Thursday. The Irish cash register that is Mr OLeary has sewn up most of the fights to this part of the world, and with a match on, I expected prices to be high. However, I managed to get a reasonably priced flight to Beziers, and thence to Perpignan by train, arriving at 2pm.

I had allegedly missed the party of all parties on the Thusday train, where I understand that Saintly travellers drank the bar dry several times, resulting in the bar staff having to phone ahead for restocking at appropriate times!

Our hotel was in the centre of town, the weather was fine, so we assembled by the landscaped Canal in the centre of town, outside what used to be Imbernon's bar to partake of a few pre match sharpeners, the idea being to drift gently towards the "cathedral of Rugby" in time for the start. The prices being somewhat excessive, we started off for the ground, looking for a bar some of us had used when we visited during the Narbonne weekend a few years ago. What a good move! By now USAP supporters were beginning to appear, and good banter was had by all. We duly found the bar and pied in. Such were our numbers compared to a usual pre match occasion, they very quickly ran out of glasses, but coped, and made us very, very welcome.

Towards the appointed hour, we made our way to the Ground, somewhat over 1000 Saints supporters, much singing and some good conversations. The ground was heaving, but the token system was really slow, and getting any food before the match was a problem. We found our way to the seats, and discovered we had a very good view, and at the appointed time Wendied out the team.

Much has been written on these boards about the following 80 minutes of play. Suffice it to say we were stuffed up front in the first quarter by a team them that came out of the blocks like a steam train, which then proceeded to take our pack apart. By the time we got back into the game, (and we did, in spite of what some observers would have you believe, it was too late, and any hope we had of a bonus point was denied by the skill of the Perpinya and the "interesting" ministrations of "Sir" . To lose a match 17 penalties to 4 tells you something of the game. Or does it? Dear reader, I leave you to judge. But although we were beaten by a much better team on the night. (Champions of France no less!), the game as a spectacle was ruined for me and many others, by a referee who seemed to think that the match was about him. It was so much about him, that allegedly Jim spent an hour (that's 60 minutes folks) trying to understand why he chose this game to demonstrate his failings.

The bright spots were Roger Wilson making a huge nuisance of himself whenever possible, a great first try for Mujati, a really classy try by Chris Ashton, and a good performance by Shane Geraghty behind a retreating pack.  Thats it.

After the match, we had some great conversations over a beer and ham roll with les Perpinya, before heading into the town with the other Saints supporters to forget the previous couple of hours. The following two days consisted of some great food, exploring the old town and realising that, we can beat this team at the Gardens and possibly get a bonus point!

My personal best wishes go to Brian Mujati, in the hope that good sense prevails over his "shove" on Owen

                                                  `

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon