But more changes in the backs to consider. Myler was at 10 Kydd in at 13 and Bruce out to the wing at 11. Last season constant tinkering in the backs was due to injuries. The result was a lack of understanding and cohesion.This season it is seemingly squad rotation, although I wonder whether Jim is still seeking his best combination. A welcome return for Neil Starling coming on for Kydd on 76mins will only add to that quandary. But it is a welcome problem to have.

It was certainly a stuttering start as the Saints drove forwards and keen to get the ball wide early there were a few inaccurate passes and fumbles. Some of this was caused by the forwards linking play though rather than the backs with Hopley on the day being a little below the high standards he has set over recent performances.  

In the eighth minute however Bruce, Bruce, Bruce cut in from the left onto a sublime inside pass from Carlos and ran a diagonal line reminiscent of Cohen away against Cardiff a few years back, the kind that makes defences look daft. Then leaping like a salmon from a bubbling highland burn finished with a swallow dive twice as high as Cohen's famous one against the AB's. The king is dead, long live the king ?

As Myler converted I think (I was momentarily distracted by two rather attractive blondes). All was well with the world.

Saints continued to dominate possession, although the lineout was still problematic, and went further ahead with a Myler penalty on 12mins. Plymouth were playing with some ambition when they had possession but rarely looked like breaking through the Saints line. Both sides were guilty of handling errors, but saints continued to look the more dangerous in attack. Then on 26mins Kydd was sent to the bin for a trip and the resultant pen gave Plymouth the rare opportunity to camp in the Saints twenty two. Plymouth did what we had been told Plymouth do best and set up a maul. Penalty given, another maul, penalty given (word with Bruce ) another maul. But to no avail. Saints cleared their lines and half time was looming. The supporters whose priority it is to be first in the pie queue started to wend their way safe in the knowledge that Saints had secured a comfortable , if not totally convincing half time lead.

But no. The ball is turned over and a swift handling move brings Plymouth back to the Saints twenty two. The ball is recycled and this time Plymouth do not mess up the three man overlap and on 37mins Cruickshank touches down in the corner as Digger tries in vain to get across in time to stop him. A good try and a wake up call ? Well yes, a wake up call to Plymouth as from the restart Saints press hard in attack and turn the ball over again. Gibson bursts away on the right wing. Carlos waits, lines him up, shows him the outside and bang. Gibson gratefully takes it and runs past whilst having the time to adjust his hair and polish his nails before touching down in the corner. This time Laidlaw converts. The half time whistle blows and there are a few glum Saintly faces as they troop to the bar with the score 13-12.

The second half starts with the saints pressing again. On 45 mins Digger crosses the line after Vass steals the ball from a Plymouth scrum and it is swiftly passed down the line. Now the score is a more comfortable 18-12. Time for a Saintly overture ?  Myler converts 20-12.

Then on 54 mins a penalty to Saints allows Myler to push the ball into the Plymouth twenty two. A free kick from the resultant lineout gives Emms the chance to go on the charge and Fox takes over to barrel the ball over from close range and carrying seven Plymouth defenders with him. (N.B. this may be a slight exaggeration) Myler again converts from wide out on the right.

So on 56mins with the score a more comfortable 27-12 Rudski comes on for Toops and there is another 24 mins to push on for the bonus point.

Plymouth have another ideas though as they go on the attack and are given another penalty. This time they go for the sticks and Laidlaw brings the score to 27-15

Saints ring the changes and Ashton comes on for Diggin and Shields makes his debut coming on for Ward. Sadly for saints his throwing doesn't start any better than Ward's as saints lose the lineout from a penalty kicked to the corner. Saints continue to attack but frustration is setting in. The referee stops a tap penalty and Myler then misses the kick for the posts. 65 mins gone and big Damo comes on for Lordy.

Still the saints attack stutters as Kydd chooses to pass to someone in C block (well they are wearing the same shirts !)  71 mins now gone and saints are trying to force it in attack as they desperately seek the bonus point. Plymouth are creaking now but the saints need to show greater patience and method. 74 mins another penalty into the corner. This time the line out is won but the backs mess it up. 76 mins more changes, Brake on for Vass and Starling for Kydd. (fantastic to see you playing again Neil) 77 mins now gone and Saints still error strewn as they force the passes trying to score the elusive fourth try. 79mins gone now and a cross field kick to Ashton raises the crowds hopes, but great cover defence forces the ball from his hands. Minutes later Ashton bursts through again. He runs a diagonal and can smell the whitewash. But once again great cover defence stops him at the death and naively he tries to offload and throws the ball forward. 

82 mins now as Plymouth desperately try and wind down the clock by delaying the put in at the scrum, three times it has been reset. Saints pile the pressure on the scrum and eventually the ball is turned over. The backs do their job and out it goes to the wing where ....Christian Short is waiting ! Thankfully the lock goes over , Myler converts and Saints have the bonus point.

Well Ajack didn't renew his season ticket because he felt there would be a lack of competition at FG this season. I suppose it never looked like Saints were going to lose this game but it just wouldn't be Saints if they didn't keep us on the edge of our seats, this time seeking the all important bonus point. A brief look at the table will tell you just how important securing these extras are. Saints are not the finished article yet but later in the season a front row of Smith, Hartley and Murray with Soane coming on as impact will improve the front five play in many aspects of the game. Nierkerk will , I guess add to the squad too !  The backs , despite all the handling errors still look dangerous and the ambition is there to see. Five points, job done.

Fox was given the man of the match. My shout would have been Myler who for me is coming on very nicely. I can see the influence of both Grayson and Carlos. Now that's not a bad mix in a fly half is it ? Also for me the enjoyment of rugby is not just about the match itself. My day started in the Malt Shovel at 12.00pm and ended in the same place about eleven and a half hours later ! Special mention to Tina, Mo, Chris, Sheila, Lynn, Justin and Dave, Sheila's lover (sorry Kev) from Plymouth. Hope you enjoyed your day and had a safe journey home. Don't take this the wrong way when I say I dearly hope we only spend one season in this league. But I for one am enjoying every moment. 

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