NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. BEDFORD BLUES

NL1 – ROUND 19 – Saturday, 5^th January 2008

MATCH REPORT

Saints 35 – 9 Blues

The sight of a full car park and the lively bustle to the village pre-match brought back memories of season’s past, whilst Mr Robson must have been bathed in a warm glow to see so much Saint’s merchandising on show as people showed off the their favourite Christmas presents.

Come 3pm the stage was set, illuminated by some weak sunshine and the flood lights as Saints, as has become customary this season opted to receive the kick off whilst attacking towards the Sturtridge Pavilion.  The first act was to prove to be more comedy then drama though.  Ben Patson’s first touch on his return to the Gardens will not live with him for long as his attempted switched drop out failed to cross the 10 meter line.  Saints however were unable to do much with the resulting scrum and gave possession back to Bedford and a huge Ben Patson bomb had Los hanging on for dear life.  The penalty was easily slotted by James Pritchard to edge Bedford ahead much the enjoyment of the vocal Bedford support.

The restart at least allowed Saints to move into Bedford territory and after some aimless aerial ping pong Saints were given a scrum deep in Bedford territory The backs were just short with their attack however referee Greg Garner brought play back for an earlier infringement and Barry Everett converted the penalty to even up the scores.

Ben Patson was not able to make the same mistake twice with the restart and applied boot to leather with such vigour that it sailed straight into touch.  The theme of poor kicking was continued by both sides until Bedford kicked the ball dead for a Saint’s scrum.  The resulting move broke down when Jon Clarke’s pass sailed out to that mystery man who seems to stand 5 yards beyond the touch line at most games this season.

Bedford then rounded off a period of sustained pressure by kicking a penalty to the corner.  Saints resolutely rebuffed the initial drive, however as the ball was worked through the backs an offence was committed in front of the sticks to give James Pritchard the easiest of penalties to move Bedford ahead once more.

Saints again had to rely on the restart to move into Bedford territory and after regathering the ball set up camp in the Bedford 22.  Bedford’s defence was organised and committed but strayed off side once too often, Barry Everett knocking over the penalty and it was 6 all.

It was third time lucky for Ben Patson as he put his restart on the money, whilst a huge Bedford tackle won them possession at the line out.  This time the ball was driven deep to the corner, however a clever quick line out allowed the danger to be cleared to touch.  Ben Patson again drove the ball to the corner and a second quick throw by Hartley set Wee Tam up for an 80 yard canter to the line to celebrate his 150th cap.  Unfortunately for all but Wee Tam himself the referee brought play back as he wished to continue his lecture of a Bedford player.

Saints worked the ball up field and Johnny Howard set Chris Ashton up for his first decent run of the day.  He weaved through the heart of the Bedford backline but could not find Capt’n Bruce with his final pass.  

It was Bedford who continued to enjoy the majority of both possession and territory and they spread the ball across the pitch looking for a way through the Saints defence.  One drive was only halted when the Bedford prop dropped the ball as he crossed the line.  On 29 minutes Saints were forced into their first change as Steven Myler came on for an injured Barry Everett.  Bedford then worked the ball down to Digger’s corner and Saints were hanging on with some desperate defending.  Therefore it could be said that the first try of the match came somewhat against the run of play.  From a Bedford scrum the ball somehow found its way into Jon Clarke’s hands and once it was worked wide to Chris Ashton there was only going to be one result.  Steven Myler adding the extras and suddenly and somewhat surprisingly there was a little day light between the teams.

The scrum from the restart triggered the half time chip and burger exodus and in fairness the starving masses did not miss too much apart from Dan Richmond blinking first in the battle of the hookers as his line out throw was adjudged to be not straight. The half time whistle went and the Saints players trudged off for a few cosy words from Jim n Dorian.

Saints came out considerably more animated for the second half and their early pressure from the kick off was rewarded with a simple penalty fro Steven Myler.  16 – 6 and perhaps now Saints would start to take control of the game.

Bedford were still very much in the match though and continued to work the ball across the pitch.  On 47 minutes the crowd finally found its voice with the first decent WENDY of the match as they tried to lift the players on the pitch.  Saints kicking from hand continued to be poor allowing Bedford to return the ball with interest on more than one occasion, whilst handling errors brought a number of promising attacks to an end.  

One such handling error resulted in a Bedford penalty which was kicked to the Shrubbery corner.  The Saints defence crossed the line of legality and James Pritchard’s third penalty made it 16 – 9 and very much game on.

The next 5 minutes were to prove to be the turning point in the match.  A Saints penalty was kicked deep into Diggers corner and Saints set up siege on the Bedford line.  A succession of Bedford penalties resulted in a yellow card for Dan Richmond.  Bedford opted to maintain their pack by subbing James Pritchard.  Unfortunately as he was 40 yards away across the pitch he could not hear the calls and so looked somewhat bemused when Geoff Allen announced he had been substituted.  The Saints front row had its dander well and truly up by now and when the Bedford pack disintegrated at the next scrum referee Greg Garner lost patience and awarded a penalty try.

Jim n Dorian started to ring the changes and Sharky, Tiny and Phil Hoy came on for Wee Tam, Johnny Howard and Matt Lord.  Saints had finally found some confidence and the next score was a gem.  From a Bedford attack deep in Saints territory the found its way into Jon Clarke’s hands.  His break out was taken on by Phil Hoy and Bruce and finally Steven Myler who’s conversion attempt slide to the side of the posts.

71 minutes gone and the game had changed completely as Saints, convinced of victory went looking for the bonus point.  Fresh legs were thrown in with Paul Shields coming on for Euan Murray.    His contribution did not last more than 5 minutes though as he had to be helped off the pitch and Wee Tam got to run on for the second time to celebrate his 150th cap.  Saints were by now dominating the set piece, winning ball at line out and scrum but were frustrated by the ever committed Bedford defence.  It took until the 7th minute of extra time for a sweet inside pass from Sharkey to send Chris Ashton over for his 20th league try of the season, equalling Matt Allen’s record.

In the end the score line did not reflect the game, which was tight right up to the final quarter.   Plus points for the Saints – another bonus point win against committed opponents, the set piece worked well all afternoon – reflected in the Man of the Match being awarded the Euan Murray and no interception tries.  

For me, an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon.

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