Despite forecasts of rain all weekend it was a bright sunny morning as your intrepid reporter braced himself against the crisp November air and set out for Franklins Gardens at 11.30 this morning. Perfect rugby weather, two teams poised to soar up the league table if victory was theirs, memories of epic past encounters, tales of overhead kicks, missed drop goals everything was poised for a classic encounter what could possibly go wrong; all was right with the world. Or was it? This was not the time to play a game of rugby. 1.00pm kick off, just doesn't feel right. Saints fielding their eighteenth different centre pairing this season, their eighth choice fullback, walking past the Malt Shovel without going in, the doubts start to set in.

Now as I write this report the game is over, the result is known. I wonder who will be reading this. Are there any Saints who wish to re-live this day? Maybe a few Sarries hungry for every word written about their victory, possibly supporters of other clubs with the morbid curiosity of a rubbernecker on the M1. Somehow I doubt it will be many. But for those who bother here it is.

The teams arrive on the pitch together. The only game this happens due to the laying of the wreath at the memorial. As Paul Flatt has recounted in an excellent article on this site, this is always a moving occasion. Perhaps it will help keep perspective on the events that followed for the many Saints supporters who are struggling to come to terms with what they have seen today. One image I observed as this ritual was being carried out stayed with me through the game. As the teams stood side by side the Sarries locked arms and were as one. The Saints stood as individuals. Sadly this appeared to carry on through the game as Sarries played as a cohesive unit, albeit to a simple game plan, whereas Saints played largely as a bunch of individuals who had only just met.

It started well enough for the home side. Sarries kick off went straight into touch. From the resultant scrum Carlos put up a high ball that led to a turnover, a slick move with Going picking a good line to go over for his first try for Saints. Carlos converted, 7-0 saints 3 mins gone.

Toops then says hello to Shane Byrne and Sarries lineout suffers, one free kick for delayed throw and one stolen ball. Saints press forward again and get a pen on halfway. Carlos hits the post. Then the cracks begin to show. Sarries put up a high ball and Howard and Going both go for it. This gives Sarries their first spell of possession but they do little with it and the Saints push again to win another pen on halfway. Carlos kicks again and misses. Saints start to put some phases together and the twentieth centre pairing this season begins to show a little bit of promise. All to no avail however as mistakes start to creep in and Sarries kick clear to arrive in Saints twenty two for the first time after 17 mins played.

Toops says hello to Visagie. But this doesn't have the desired effect as Sarries look good at the scrum. Sarries enter saints twenty two for the second time on 22mins and de Kock scores a strange try. Some in the crowd believe he was held and then carried on some thought the move owed a lot to the tactics of the Chicago Bears. Whatever the man that counts signalled try and this also signalled the demise of the Saints challenge in the first half. The score was 7-7. If the away game at Sarries last season was Lesson four, The maul. Then what followed was lesson five, the scrum. For the next half an hour or so we had a series of scrum, penalty to Sarries, scrum again, penalty to Sarries, scrum....well you get the picture. But just as it appeared Mr Davey was going to award the penalty try Saints decided to push back. Sarries played the ball to the backs and Andy Farrell (the saviour of England and leader of all men) rolled over for another Sarries try. I'm sure it was the way in which his stomach swerved one way as he went the other that made the saints defender fall over. Shortly afterwards Vivian crawled over for a third and the Sarries fat boys took complete command. They even started winning lineouts. A complete drubbing looked on the cards and many of the crowd sought solace in a pork roll well before the half time whistle blew. But blow it did and the score was Sarries 21 saints 7.

Something was obviously said at half time because as the second half started the Saints began to play rugby again. Phase play resulted in a pen that Johnny Howard slotted as Carlos had a rest. This was missed by most of the 13356 crowd who were still queuing for their pork roll. Saints continued to retain possession and all the play was in the Sarries half. But still no penetration when it counted. Digger tried to get the crowd going with a searing break and also by waving his hands about. Toops says hello to Vivian and with 20 mins to go Howard slots another pen. Sarries 21 Saints 13 can they make a comeback?

Well sadly if you are a Saint, No. Sharky makes a great break but kicks the ball down Castenets throat. He runs it back with interest and a couple of plays later one missed tackle results in Skirving breaking through for Sarries fourth try and the bonus point. 28-13 and game over. As in the first half the Sarries score results in the Saints heads dropping and capitulation. Several substitutions follow, Will Harries makes his debut and Skirving scores again for Sarries in the corner. 35-13. Apart from that nothing much else happened and the game petered out to its conclusion.

Skirving was announced man of the match and Sarries players and supporters will be satisfied with a good days work. And a well deserved victory it was. I especially appreciated the short rendition of when the saints go sneaking out aimed at all the early leavers who having finished their half time pork rolls set off 15mins before the end to get a good spot in front of the TV for the England game.

Not much joy for the home supporters. Plus point, Myler looked promising on his debut. Biggest minus, the apparent capitulation in both halves after Sarries scored. Shows fragile confidence and lack of leadership for me. But remember the sun will still rise tomorrow and there is always beer.  

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