SAINTS vs SARACENS

SATURDAY 14^TH NOVEMBER 2009

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

ATTENDANCE 12,073

SAINTS 19 : 3 SARACENS

Similar questions were being asked of the available Saints players for today and so it was to prove an interesting line up.

The weather was going to prove as much of a challenge as the opposition today for both teams with strong winds and rain squalls making the prospect of the game rather uninviting. Nevertheless, the rugby served up was good quality with both teams making a fist of it. Chatting with some Sarries fans prior to kick off, it seems they epitomised this growing concern with Sarries kicking tactics and that it is generally "killing the game", I was pleased to see that there was very little kicking game, from either side but that was probably due to the swirling wind which meant that any high ball could have gone anywhere.

This game was Saints remembrance day game and as such was preceded by the very emotional laying of the wreath and a minutes silence graciously respected as both teams lined up in front of the Sturtridge, Saints with 16 young team mascots supported by Geoff Allen's rendition of part of Laurence Binyon's ‘For the Fallen' poem. Well done Geoff, it was beautifully read.

Let's talk rugby shall we?

Sarries kicked off downhill for the first half, a good omen, and as the game started to flow, an early line out for the visitors showed, what would be a severe weakness for them. Throughout their game, the line outs were poor.

There were some good signs for Saints fans in the first few minutes with both Bruce and Flash showing good ball skills and a break down their right gained Saints a few yards but it didn't take long before penalties were awarded and both Sarries and Saints missed any opportunities at getting points on the board as Smyler and Alex Goode struggled to deal with the wind and rain. Overall Saints were showing better ball skills and some good passing through the backs, the first scrum came at 10 minutes and Saints showed their strength winning a penalty. The resultant line out led to a great rolling maul only to be wasted and a pen to Sarries.

The first points were to be scored by the visitors following a rolling maul from, possibly their only successful line out in the whole game. Alex Goode slotted the kick from the 22 metre line.

20 minutes - 0 : 3

There were knock on's from both teams at the restart, Sarries getting the benefit of them but once again they couldn't get the resultant line out right. The pressure was fairly even between the teams, but Saints definitely had better moves and were getting the ball out wide more than Sarries were and very soon Ben Foden was under a high ball and made one of his darting runs through the Sarries defensive gaps but seeing the gaps closing decides to grubber kick through for Flash to chase down and score in front of the Sturtridge terrace.

24 minutes - 5 : 3

We had a bit of ping pong following the restart but sense prevailed as the ball was unpredictable at anything above head height so both teams tried to keep the ball in hand were possible and defend well when needed. It was working, the rugby on show was pretty good considering the weather, but Saints did have the edge and their confidence was growing. The next scrum saw a huge push from Saints, moving the Sarries pack back from the 22 metre line to their 5 metre line until Sir gave us a penalty and took us all the way back to the 22 for it? Not sure what that was about, and unfortunately Smyler missed getting the points again. (0 from 3).

Saints continued the pressure, mostly in the Sarries half of the pitch and eventually a knock on against us was overturned by the touch judge into a penalty for Saints and a yellow card for Tom Mercy on 40 minutes. The rain started to fall as Smyler lined up the kick at goal. Thankfully, despite the torrent of rain and the unrelenting wind, he scored.

42 minutes - 8 : 3 HALF TIME.

The second half showed some strong Saints pressure as they played towards the South Stand and a penalty came from a scrum to Saints after, yet another un-straight line out. Smyler converts.

44 minutes 11 : 3

Shortly from the restart, Sarries were to be awarded a penalty just inside the Saints half, you'll be bloomin lucky I thinks to myself, sure enough the ball has more chance of hitting the turnstiles behind the ticket office than dividing the posts. Saints were unperturbed by the Sarries efforts and Bruce and Ben were now really showing their class, enjoying breaks through the Sarries back line and enjoying the chance to run at them when they could unfortunately one of Ben's passes was deemed forward and the resultant scrum led to a line out on Saints 22 that Sarries, once again failed to make anything from. The Saints pressure continued and they edged closer to the South Stand try line and Bruce was there to push across and score. Brooce, Brooce, Brooce.

56 minutes - 16 : 3

Smyler misses the con (1 from 5)

The restart sees a continuation of the poor Sarries forward's play. Two more line outs go awry, and it could be said that Saints should have made even more of the Sarries frailties. Still, we had the lead and maintained the pressure. Saints line never looked under any threat.

More replacements for both teams and a little more aerial ping pong followed until Sgt Wilson knocks on and Sarries get a put in on Saints 22. Saints manage to turn the ball over and a sudden break sees Juandre Kruger run 30 metres until Sir calls him back for a knock on. More replacements follow and continued pressure on the Sarries forwards, allowed Smyler another kick at goal, which he duly converts (2 from 6)

75 minutes 19 : 3

The last few minutes saw a real effort from Sarries to get back into the game. It also saw a good solid defence from Saints and still the visitors didn't look to threaten the Saints line.

Full time 19 : 3

Official Man of the Match - Ben Foden

My Man of the Match - Brooce.

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