Easter since pagan times has been a celebration of rebirth and renewal and so it was appropriate that Saints should celebrate their own rebirth as a Premiership club on Easter Saturday as they overcame a determined Exeter side at a cold and wintry Franklins Gardens.

As we walked to the ground the sky was as dark as a Paul Tupai stare and at 2.30 as the snow started to fall both on the pitch and in the South Stand we were forced to seek shelter in the bar .... At this stage it was comforting to know that the next time Easter will be this early will be in some 150 years time.

The team sheet showed a few surprises with Chris Ashton being selected at 14 and bench consisting of 5 forwards including a whole front row.  It was to be hoped that the bench was going to be strong enough.

Luckily by the time Capt. Bruce ran out onto the pitch to mark his 150^th Saints start the snow had stopped and the weather was cold and clear with a wicked blustery wind that was to play a significant role in the action.  

Chiefs kicked off towards the South stand and Los opted to run the ball back, however his sideways run only resulted in his being scragged to touch to set Exeter up with an early attacking opportunity.  After securing the line out Chiefs went through several phases of pick and drive around the fringes of the ruck to no obvious effect but were eventually rewarded for their efforts with a penalty for not rolling away, Garry Kingdom sending his penalty kick left of the posts.  Following the drop out the momentum was still with Exeter as they continued to dominate possession.  The Fatialofa due were heavily involved with some typically direct runs and it looked like they would score when a set move right from a scrum worked an overlap for Jason Luff only for him to knock the ball on.   Saints defence was proving to be well organised and committed and their pressure won a succession of turn over ball, however they continued to hand the ball back to Exeter as a number of half breaks ended in knock ons as they looked to be trying too hard and trying to force the play.  Chiefs had another chance to get the scoreboard moving with a second penalty attempt, however this time Gary Kingdom sent his kick to the right of the posts.  Digger cleared to touch and the resultant Exeter line out was sent over the back and snaffled by Saints.  A Carlos bomb arrived in Jason Luff's arms at the same time as Dylan Hartley and he was tackled to touch.  Saints were finally in the Exeter half and they made the most of the opportunity.  The ball was sent left and then right and in the finest tradition of Saints Winger / Hookers Dylan was on the end of Ashton's pass to score in the corner, Bruce's touchline conversion just holding up in the wind to keep the score at 5 nil after 14 minutes.

After regathering the restart another Carlos bomb was knocked on to hand Saints an attacking scrum.  Unfortunately Mark Easter's flick from the base on the scrum went to no one in particular and it was all hands to the pumps to tidy up.  Exeter had a chance to pull back 3 points with a penalty award that left Carlos particularly incensed with any official who came within earshot.  Tony Yapp took over kicking duties but the result was the same, the kick drifting right of the posts.   Carlos, perhaps still incensed put his drop out straight to touch and Exeter had a scrum in a dangerous position.  From the scrum Chiefs inched forward around the fringes and eventually drove Simon Jenkins over for a try.  It came as little surprise when Tony Yapp's conversion attempt sailed wide.  21 minutes gone and it was 5 all.

Exeter cleared the restart to touch, the line out was judged to be not straight and Exeter were again back in possession.  After an attack down the left the ball was again turned over and quickly worked to Digger who cut a lovely line through the Exeter defence.  Ashton continued the attack to the right before the ball was switched left and Dylan was again on hand to score in the corner.  Bruce's kick again held up in the wind and after 27 minutes it was 10 : 5.

Following the restart a bout of rugby tennis ended with Digger clearing the ball straight to touch.  Following the line out another Fatialofa crash resulted in a Saints penalty.  A quick take set up a series of attacks around the fringes before Carlos showed great hands to hold onto a wayward pass, Ashton came into the line before Digger showed strength and determination to score in the corner.  Yet again Bruce's kick held up in the wind, 33 minutes gone and Saints were easing ahead 15:5.  Saints were now playing with more freedom and from the restart a series of attacks resulted in a penalty just to the right of the posts.  Despite the easier position Bruce sliced the kick wide and it was starting to look like a game without any successful kicks. 

Carlos then showed both sides of his play with a break that left defenders grasping thin air before sending out a pass that was never going to find a green black and yellow shirt.  Chiefs set up a somewhat ponderous attack but were awarded with a penalty that, wonder of wonders, Tony Yapp put between the posts.  So as the snow returned and referee Greg Garner signalled a rapid retreat to the warmth of the changing rooms the half time score was 15:8.

Half time was marked by yet more snow in the South stand which did little to settle the nerves but fortunately by the time Exeter ran out for the second half the clear skies had returned and Saints were a nervy 40 minutes from the Premiership. 

The second half started with Saints building up the pressure.  An early Carlos bomb forced Jason Luff to slice his clearance to touch and Saints had an early attacking line out.  Unfortunately as the maul inched towards the line the ball popped up on the Exeter side and the danger passed.  It was only a temporary respite though as their clearance kick was fielded by Bruce and kicked deep into Digger's corner.   The play from the line out was scrappy on both sides before the ball eventually came to Carlos whose kick forced another hasty clearance by Luff.  This time Exeter stopped the rolling maul illegally and Saints opted to take a scrum no more than 10 yards out.  The scrum ended up in a flare-up with Darren Fox heavily involved and both Digger and Johnny Howard playing supporting roles.  The scrum was reset two more times as it looked like either a try or an Exeter yellow card was inevitable.  Unfortunately Johnny Howard was not aware enough at the base of the scrum and as the ball came loose Exeter were able to clear.   Saints continued to press forward though and set up a series of mauls close to the line, Darren Fox broke off but dropped the ball as he tried to force the ball over the line. 

Exeter were finally able to gain some respite as they cleared the ball to touch and then won the resultant line out.  They kicked the ball straight to Digger who looked to get Ashton into the game, unfortunately he opted to chip and saw his kick charged down. 

On 55 minutes Big Jim decided to ring the changes and sent on Shields and Murray for Stewart and Hartley.  An Exeter penalty was kicked to the corner and the Chiefs set up camp on the Saints 22 with a series of pick and drives around the fringes.  Saints defence proved to be up the challenge and eventually forced a penalty which was kicked to touch.   However from the line out a Carlos bomb resulted in a penalty for tackling in the air and Exeter were again going through the phases.  The attack eventually broke down following a knock on as Greg Garner appeared to change his mind after taking the advice of the crowd.   65 minutes gone and more changes Sharkey and Tiny on for Smith and Howard. 

By this stage the game was starting to drift and as my son observed Exeter did not look like winning but Saints looked like they might lose it.   Saints  were awarded a penalty on the corner of the 10 yard line and as it looked like a 2 score difference would be enough Carlos lined up the kick.  The kick had the legs but not the direction and yet another chance passed by.    It looked like another Carlos bomb would set up an opportunity but Gary Kingdom did well to regather the ball and clear.  On 71 minutes James Cannon came on for Matt Lord and very nearly claimed an Exeter line out. Instead the ball was cleared to Digger; the ball was passed to Bruce who drove his kick deep to Digger's corner.  Whilst the lead was not commanding Saints were happy to run down the clock in the Exeter half.  In this situation it was time for wise old heads so it came as no surprise that Toops was sent on for Lewitt. On 73 minutes Bruce had a chance to secure promotion with a penalty but another horrible slice saw the ball pushed wide.   By now the nerves and the fingernails were starting to suffer but the crowd did not have to wait much longer as on 77 minutes Saints were awarded a kick in front of the posts and to the relief of the vast majority of the 13,000 crowd he put the kick between the posts and at 18:8 Saints were finally 2 scores clear.

Exeter however showed the tenacity and determination that had kept them in the promotion race for so long.  A Saints attack broke down when Ashton yet again opted to kick rather than run and Exeter forced a scrum on half way.  Another Ashton mistake and Exeter were back on the Saints try line.  However Saints were determined not to end the game by conceding a try and another massive defensive effort forced a turnover that was run out from deep by Digger.  A potentially scoring pass to Ashton was adjudged to be forward and from the scrum, Ashton, who had a frustrating afternoon, threw himself into a reckless tackle that left him on the turf and silenced the celebrating crowd.  He was able to walk off to be replace by Stephen Myler who did not have chance to touch the ball as the resulting scrum was the last play of the game.

Greg Garner signalled full time and the crowd acclaimed the Saints return to the Promised Land. 

The game was no better than average and would have been instantly forgettable on any other day.  However this day was all about the result and considering the condition, the pressure and the tenacity of the opposition and Saints would have been more than pleased by the result.

          Photos courtesy Big Rich, ClaireJ and Simon Hendy