News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
By Flinstone Saint October 5 2008
It was a cloudy and blustery day with rain never far away. Sadly we were not to see Andy Blowers back on the pitch at FG this time, although he was in the ground, but C Block took great delight in taunting Mark Regan as he warmed up in front of them. Cries of “Show us your equity card” and “He’s behind you” only elicited a chuckle and shake of the head from Regan.
It was a cloudy and blustery day with rain never far away. Sadly we were not to see Andy Blowers back on the pitch at FG this time, although he was in the ground, but C Block took great delight in taunting Mark Regan as he warmed up in front of them. Cries of “Show us your equity card” and “He’s behind you” only elicited a chuckle and shake of the head from Regan.
EDF Energy Cup
Northampton Saints -v- Bristol
Franklin's Gardens
Saturday, 4th October 2008
Kick Off 3pm
Of more concern, was the sight of Stephen Myler walking past the South Stand to his seat with his left foot encased in some wierd plastic protective boot. Here's hoping it's only a precaution after his obvious distress at Welford Road when he took a knock to the ankle in the first half. It was, however, heart-warming to see Bruce, Bruce, Bruce on the pitch, albeit in his jeans, helping the guys with their warm up and motivation.
Teams announced on Friday showed a mix of youngsters and some older heads in there for both teams, so no-one was quite sure what to expect. It was going to be interesting to see Rob Milligan and Nils Mordt make their Saints 1st XV debuts at Nos. 8 and 12 respectively.
From the kick off, all the play was in front of the South Stand in the Saints 22 and after a Bristol throw in to the line-out, the ball ended up in the hands of Matt Turner, the Bristol winger, and it went over the line for and unconverted try. However, with a penalty kick to touch a few minutes later, Saints won one of their few line-outs of the day through Courtney Lawes and utilised the pick and drive for a few moves before shipping it out to the backs for Paul Diggin to eventually score the try which was also unconverted.
Teams announced on Friday showed a mix of youngsters and some older heads in there for both teams, so no-one was quite sure what to expect. It was going to be interesting to see Rob Milligan and Nils Mordt make their Saints 1st XV debuts at Nos. 8 and 12 respectively.
From the kick off, all the play was in front of the South Stand in the Saints 22 and after a Bristol throw in to the line-out, the ball ended up in the hands of Matt Turner, the Bristol winger, and it went over the line for and unconverted try. However, with a penalty kick to touch a few minutes later, Saints won one of their few line-outs of the day through Courtney Lawes and utilised the pick and drive for a few moves before shipping it out to the backs for Paul Diggin to eventually score the try which was also unconverted.
Courtney Lawes
With a couple more line-outs lost, Saints found themselves back in their own 22 for quite some time and following another scrum to Bristol, Matt Turner once again went over the try line on the 20 minute mark. The wind was playing havoc with the place kicking and this too remained unconverted.
A few minutes later, a bit of a nightmare pass from Ashton was picked up by Diggin who set off across the pitch towards the Tetleys Stand, round every Bristol player who seemed to be standing still and he took off up the wing. Just as he was tackled on the half way line, he managed to off-load to Lord, who with his great lolloping strides looked as though he might go all the way to the try line but just had to off-load at the last minute for Lee Dickson to score the try. Again this was unconverted.
A few minutes later, a bit of a nightmare pass from Ashton was picked up by Diggin who set off across the pitch towards the Tetleys Stand, round every Bristol player who seemed to be standing still and he took off up the wing. Just as he was tackled on the half way line, he managed to off-load to Lord, who with his great lolloping strides looked as though he might go all the way to the try line but just had to off-load at the last minute for Lee Dickson to score the try. Again this was unconverted.
Matt Lord (or Craig Lord if you are a Grauniad Reader)
With 7 minutes to go before half time, Bristol had knocked on in the middle of the pitch and Nigel Owen "forgot" to play advantage and pulled back the free running Saintsmen who would have surely scored a try. The resulting scrum ended in penalty to Saints with Everitt managing to convert this for another 3 points. Another few minutes later and another penalty to Saints for Sidoli holding on. Nigel Owen decides he's hidden his wee coloured cards for long enough and sends Sidoli to the Bin for 10 minutes since it's the 4th holding on offence in this half. Everitt, however, missed converting this penalty with that odd-shaped-ball deciding to head towards Gala Bingo at the last second.
13-10 at half time. No changes when the teams come back on.
The first couple of minutes see a great deal of pressure from Saints on the Bristol line only for it to end up with a knock-on. Two minutes later and Maggs is sin binned for killing the ball. Bristol were down to 13 men so Saints opted for a scrum but failed miserably to capitalise and lost it to Bristol. They did however miss their kick to touch from a penalty, Diggin caught it cleanly and ran it back up the field for it to end up in the hands of Chris Ashton for a try. At last, this one was converted by Everitt, perhaps because the pitch is slightly more protected from the wind by the South Stand.
Ben Broster came on for Barry Stewart just as Rob Milligan made a break only to be stopped 10 metres from the try line. What a 1st start that would have been if he could have gone all the way.
15 minutes into the second half and Chris Mayor scored his first try for the team from turnover ball and, again, Everitt converted.
Joe Gray came on for Shields but only lasted 4 minutes before falling foul of Mr Owen's yellow card. Why, I have no idea, but off he trotted. This was to set up a period of Owen card madness when Irish and Broster were both sin-binned for something that went on in the scrum.
After a great deal of to-ing and fro-ing, uncontested scrums ensued and players were on and off the pitch like waterboys for the next 10 minutes. Saints were down to 13 men and Bristol took full advantage with their 1 man overlap by the ex-Pirate, Lilo, going over the line with the resultant try being converted by Ashwin. A full complement of players was managed with 5 minutes to go although replacements Neale and Greenhalgh were to be given their chance to impress before the final whistle.
A final flourish on the Bristol try line, yielded an ungiven try for accidental off-side and, although Saints managed to turn the ball over again, Barry Everitt decided to go for the drop goal in injury time which missed and the game was over.
Paul Diggin was, quite rightly in my view, named man of the match. If Diggers has not staked a claim to be on that flight to Toulon next week, I'll donate an extra £10 to Saints with Heart 7.
Paul Diggin - Named "Man of the Match"
This was never going to be the sort of game we've seen over the last 5 weeks since teams have had to ensure squad rotation. However, the sluggish running and poor passing of the first half from the Saints were put to rest at half-time after a strong talking to by Big Jim (information courtesy of Sean Lamont) and a slightly more assured and confident Saints team emerged to secure the four try 30 - 17 win in their opening EDF game. It's a shame that Nigel Owen and his penchant for yellow cards tried very hard to turn the game into a complete farce for nearly 20 minutes.
Wilma Thomson
Photos Courtesy Simon Robinson
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Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: St Marlowe (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:08:09:03
Thanks Wilma
Good Review
Good Review
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:08:12:14
Yaba-daba-doo!
Nice report Wilma
There are some things money can't buy!
Nice report Wilma
There are some things money can't buy!
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Saint Tim (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:08:13:14
great stuff Wilma.
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: CdrAitch (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:08:30:07
Good report. I'd forgotten about the "forgetting to play advantage" incident - would've been a shoe-in for 7 points! Ah well. Nice write-up 
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Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Paul Flatt (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:08:53:13
Thank you Wilma. I thought the game was very disjointed. We were poor, but Bristol were much worse.
There is no doubt that the Llewellyn-Regan factor will take years to get out of the Bristol psyche. They tried every known trick and device to kill the ball, to slow the game, to pull down jumpers, to press forward in the scrum while ours were still 'engaging', to appear churlish and generally to try to wind up the opposition.
More shame the referee for letting them get away with it. His carding was a substitute for controlling the game - which I do not think, he ever achieved.
Young Mester Ashton is in a bad rut, at present, and yesterday was more of a liability than an asset - hospital passes, shoulder charging instead of tackling, and running ball out of nowhere in the hope that it might lead somewhere was naive. Digger showed him up, in spades, - a remarkable performance, I thought.
Clearly - I hope - our coaches had decided to sacrifice bulk and power in the pack, to try and run the Brizzlers out of puff. I say, 'I hope' because otherwise some scrums were frankly embarrasing. Even so, I think - despite public pronouncements - our coaches would have been spitting fur & feathers at 40 and 80 minutes at the reckless and un-necessarily risky play of our team.
A better team would have slaughtered our lot, yesterday.
There is no doubt that the Llewellyn-Regan factor will take years to get out of the Bristol psyche. They tried every known trick and device to kill the ball, to slow the game, to pull down jumpers, to press forward in the scrum while ours were still 'engaging', to appear churlish and generally to try to wind up the opposition.
More shame the referee for letting them get away with it. His carding was a substitute for controlling the game - which I do not think, he ever achieved.
Young Mester Ashton is in a bad rut, at present, and yesterday was more of a liability than an asset - hospital passes, shoulder charging instead of tackling, and running ball out of nowhere in the hope that it might lead somewhere was naive. Digger showed him up, in spades, - a remarkable performance, I thought.
Clearly - I hope - our coaches had decided to sacrifice bulk and power in the pack, to try and run the Brizzlers out of puff. I say, 'I hope' because otherwise some scrums were frankly embarrasing. Even so, I think - despite public pronouncements - our coaches would have been spitting fur & feathers at 40 and 80 minutes at the reckless and un-necessarily risky play of our team.
A better team would have slaughtered our lot, yesterday.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Wee Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:08:59:02
Excellent report Wilma. Good reading over a Sunday breakfast.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: smurfomatic (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:09:06:37
Great report Wilma. One minor point - it was Mordt who tried the last minute drop goal.
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Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: OldPete (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:09:19:27
Top reporting Wilma -
I enjoyed the game and recognised the potential in the youngsters. The scrum missed Iggy at least.
Digger was just awesome in a very stroppy I am going to show you how to do it sort of way.
for some reason parts of C bloc were especially vocal yesterday.
I enjoyed the game and recognised the potential in the youngsters. The scrum missed Iggy at least.
Digger was just awesome in a very stroppy I am going to show you how to do it sort of way.
for some reason parts of C bloc were especially vocal yesterday.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Eif Jones (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:09:20:21
Game 6 and an English player of definite club rugby level 1 standard is given his first chance. Preference has been given to Reihana and Lamont, neither English, neither having played particularly well in the 5 previous games. That brings the biggest issue around the GP to the fore.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: ClaireJ (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:10:08:40
Excellent report Wilma - I think we uncovered a few new gems yesterday and rediscovered an old one. And wasn't it good to see the senior players supporting the lads?
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Robby Richmond (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:10:14:29
Good stuff wilma, take a house point
interesting point from eif.
how would people feel if two are the big star names or at least one of them were given an extended period on the bench?
I wonder....
interesting point from eif.
how would people feel if two are the big star names or at least one of them were given an extended period on the bench?
I wonder....
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: ChrisG (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:10:16:44
Eif change the record mate, you're rapidly turning into a caricature of yourself.
Three or four times as many Englishman play in our top flight clubs compared with your beloved Wales, end of.
Three or four times as many Englishman play in our top flight clubs compared with your beloved Wales, end of.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: eb13saint (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:10:22:28
Great report Wilma!
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: St Marlowe (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:10:27:14
Quote:Eif
Preference has been given to Reihana and Lamont, neither English, neither having played particularly well in the 5 previous games.
As Chris above, This is a Premiership club. Its primary aim is to WIN MATCHES. Its primary aim is NOT as a Province, Franchise or Breeding ground for England players. That is a consideration, but not PRIMARY. You are beginning to sound like the worst form of Nationalist, Do you write for the Daily Mail by any chance?, or do you not understand what he Guinness Premiership is about?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:10:05:10:28:32 by St Marlowe.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Saint Tim (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:10:53:30
Think Chris G's comment is the most apt. Eif is now seeking the role of comedy Welshman.
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: ChrisG (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:11:07:33
I notice Dai Bando, the no eyed Welshman, has disappeared from this site. Perhaps he couldn't keep up.
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Paul Flatt (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:11:08:16
Whaddya mean 'now' Tim???
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Saint Tim (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:11:08:35
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: desbralass (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:12:56:56
Good one,Wilma.A delight to read,as everyone sees things that I miss.
desbralass
South Stand block L Row G 359
glass still overflowing
lesleyjay07@btinternet.com
desbralass
South Stand block L Row G 359
glass still overflowing
lesleyjay07@btinternet.com
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: sharpie (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:15:18:33
she missed the bit about sidoli being binned for 14 mins not ten.. errr had a great day with you lot but the refs yellow fetish.. did his canary just die..was bad for both..sorry bin means ten not 14 an you scored.you were good for the win but.. sorry..
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:19:32:03
I'm with you on the ref Sharpie, quite glad he didn't create a weird result.
There are some things money can't buy!
There are some things money can't buy!
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Flinstone Saint (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:23:21:37
All right you lot - I won't have my match report hijacked with Welsh talk. I'm Scottish don't you know! For goodness sake change the record Eif - I'm bored with you now.
Point taken Sharpie re the long sin bin. I saw Sidoli hanging about the touchline for a couple of minutes before he was allowed on. It appeared his time was up as we were resetting scrums for umpteen times and so wasn't allowed back on until a natural stop happened. But who is "she"? My mother used to say, "She is the cat's mother"!!! You should always refer to someone by their name, even if it is a name they take to post on a message board. Social niceties lesson over - welcome on board. Glad you had an enjoyable visit to the Gardens. Hope you have many more in the future.
Smurf - I did double check that the drop goal was by Everitt with the Offy site report and they concurred with my view. However, I know how good you are at these things and if I've got it wrong I apologise.
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Point taken Sharpie re the long sin bin. I saw Sidoli hanging about the touchline for a couple of minutes before he was allowed on. It appeared his time was up as we were resetting scrums for umpteen times and so wasn't allowed back on until a natural stop happened. But who is "she"? My mother used to say, "She is the cat's mother"!!! You should always refer to someone by their name, even if it is a name they take to post on a message board. Social niceties lesson over - welcome on board. Glad you had an enjoyable visit to the Gardens. Hope you have many more in the future.
Smurf - I did double check that the drop goal was by Everitt with the Offy site report and they concurred with my view. However, I know how good you are at these things and if I've got it wrong I apologise.
Please sponsor me for SWH7
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: St Marlowe (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:05:23:31:34
cor - sharpie earie clippie!
My Mum always used the phrase - "Who's 'she' The cat's Mother??!' took me back that did!
My Mum always used the phrase - "Who's 'she' The cat's Mother??!' took me back that did!
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: smurfomatic (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:06:05:31:05
WIlma - the only reason I know it's Mordt!
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Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: ClaireJ (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:06:05:41:13
It was Mordt - Smurf's photo is somewhat better than mine!
Re: News: Northampton Saints Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: Paul Flatt (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:06:05:46:55
So when did Everitt & Nils change shirts then? I must have missed it.
Re: News: Northampton Saints (not so) Solid start in the EDF
Posted by: oddshapedballs (IP Logged)
Date: 2008:10:06:10:56:31
Very good Wilma - good spot on the failed advantage, I don't think anyone would have stopped Mayor. Shame about Mordt's attempted drop goal. In our area of the stand we thought that there were only two possible decisions. The first was to belt the ball off the pitch, the other was to drive over a try. The DG attempt just seemed pointless.
I just thought that I would point out the irony in the headline on this piece. The start of the match was anything but solid as Bristol recycled the ball and stretched the defence first to one side and then the other. One paper reckoned on it being 15 phases. Our biggest problem was that we set our defence for forwards coming round the corner and the Bristol half-backs seemed determined to look up and send th ball wide where there was space and a mis-match in numbers.
One long pass seemed to cut out four defenders and put Bristol's outside backs in with a chance. Fortunately for Saints, there was usually a forward in the crucial channel who was neither nimble enough of foot to finish the chance nor nimble enough of hand to deliver the telling pass. Usually only just nimble enough of mind to recycle the ball after being tackled.
Four or five times the long pass seemed to have worked its trick and I feared for the number of times Bristol might cross the line once they got it right. Then for no reason in particular, they seemed to stop playing this way and we were never embarrassed in the outside numbers department again.
I just thought that I would point out the irony in the headline on this piece. The start of the match was anything but solid as Bristol recycled the ball and stretched the defence first to one side and then the other. One paper reckoned on it being 15 phases. Our biggest problem was that we set our defence for forwards coming round the corner and the Bristol half-backs seemed determined to look up and send th ball wide where there was space and a mis-match in numbers.
One long pass seemed to cut out four defenders and put Bristol's outside backs in with a chance. Fortunately for Saints, there was usually a forward in the crucial channel who was neither nimble enough of foot to finish the chance nor nimble enough of hand to deliver the telling pass. Usually only just nimble enough of mind to recycle the ball after being tackled.
Four or five times the long pass seemed to have worked its trick and I feared for the number of times Bristol might cross the line once they got it right. Then for no reason in particular, they seemed to stop playing this way and we were never embarrassed in the outside numbers department again.