News : Thoughts from the Chron 7th May
By Chris Gleadell
May 8 2009
Well what a night that was! Saints progressed to the final of the European Challenge Cup by holding their nerve after quelling a spirited Saracens fightback at an atmosphere charged Franklins Gardens on Friday evening. Despite dominating the first period a Bruce Reihana try and eight points from the boot of Stephen Myler were all the lads had to show for their efforts at half time
May 8 2009
Well what a night that was! Saints progressed to the final of the European Challenge Cup by holding their nerve after quelling a spirited Saracens fightback at an atmosphere charged Franklins Gardens on Friday evening. Despite dominating the first period a Bruce Reihana try and eight points from the boot of Stephen Myler were all the lads had to show for their efforts at half time
Thoughts from the Chron 7th May 2009
Surely though given that dominance the floodgates would open in the second half as we ground down Sarries more and more, but no. Instead the boot was on the other foot for a good twenty minutes or so as Sarries regrouped and hit back. A try from Rod Penney, converted by Glenn Jackson, brought the teams level with seven minutes on the clock and things were starting to look bleak.
With the game on a knife edge and fingernails being bitten down to the quick it took a bit of level headedness and a certain degree of calm for Smyler to change the game back in our favour. After some fine work by both forwards and backs the opposition were driven back sufficiently for the flyhalf to sit back in the pocket and slot over the sweetest of dropgoals straight through the uprights with just three minutes left to play.
It was an awfully long three minutes though but the forwards went to work grinding out that remaining time and after what seemed like another hour or so the loudest clock countdown from ten at the Gardens saw the Saints secure the game and that place in the final later this month.
At that final whistle not only were there scenes of celebration but an almost audible collective sigh of relief. Ten minutes earlier pinned back in our own twenty two you might have thought the opportunity was passing us by but the ability of the lads to stay calm and forge on regardless saw us through to the clash with Bourgoin and our first European final since 2000. We may have a lot of youngsters out there but when the chips were looking down they did not panic and showed some collective maturity.
When I had time to get my breath back, get my blood pressure down and collect my thoughts I reflected on what a great Gardens night that had been both on and off the pitch. Fair play to the Saracens supporters, they got there in numbers to get behind their side. Though like most I wanted to stick those incessant horns where the sun don't shine the Saints support took it as a challenge and we raised our game and our voices too. We may never be good enough to win Eurovision but the belting out of Oh When The Saints went a long way to making the best atmosphere we have had in quite a long while. If we can bottle some of that and take it to the final it should certainly add to the occasion.
So the stage is set, in two weeks we have the ECC final to look forward to on the evening of Friday 22nd May at Kingsholm, Gloucester . There has been a lot written and said this week about the choice of venue and time. Certainly given it is the Friday that is one of the busiest days of the year on the roads it is not ideal and those having to work a full day will be pushed to make kick off heading out from the Northampton area.
The hiring of coaches may well be hindered also by firms having their vehicles tied up in school runs, the bread and butter of most businesses. That hardly makes it ideal, nor indeed for those travelling by rail as there is a fair chance they will not get home that night.
For those travelling from France they have the added pressure of actually getting to England before they make that trek to the West Country and you do wonder if those that made the decision actually considered the travelling support at all.
Of course there have been rumblings over the channel that the game should be held there but the arguments proved unfounded when it came to light that the French federation had not even put a venue forward at the planning stage.
However the die is now cast and ERC the organising body are not for changing so we have to get on with the job and come hell or high water, by hook or by crook, we must be there on the night.
It is after all a European Final and much as we might not agree with the venue and time this is not one for voting with your feet. I am sure however that everyone who can will be doing their utmost to be there on the night to get behind the lads and hopefully see us lift some silverware and of course qualify for the Heineken Cup next season.
Whether that is having to take time off work to travel down, staying down in Gloucester overnight (to hopefully enjoy the party) or both. don't miss out you might well regret it.
Of course some people cannot juggle their lives that easily at short notice and I feel for them but if it's a case of you can then please make the effort, it could be a great night in Saints history, don't miss out.
WEE TAM'S TESTIMONIAL
Friday also saw Tom Smith's final competitive game at the Gardens. After being shoulder carried round the pitch ‘Wee Tam' took time out to try and personally thank and shake the hand of everybody who had lined up at pitchside. For all I know given the numbers queuing he might still be there now but I hope he's well rested for Saturday's testimonial game at the Gardens. Yes he's not finished with the hallowed turf yet as his Saints Legends XV take on a World & Lions XV in his honour.
There will be some familiar faces returning to the Gardens to play for Saints whilst the World side includes some of the great and good of the game and Austin Healey. Could be a very entertaining afternoon.
On the following Friday Paul Flatt and Phil Hollis have organised one of their very entertaining quiz nights at the Gardens as part of Toms testimonial year. They have presented a few of these quizzes over the years for various causes connected to the club and they are always good nights out. If you want to take part or want more information call Paul on 07841-104396 or Phil on 07821-552319.
With the game on a knife edge and fingernails being bitten down to the quick it took a bit of level headedness and a certain degree of calm for Smyler to change the game back in our favour. After some fine work by both forwards and backs the opposition were driven back sufficiently for the flyhalf to sit back in the pocket and slot over the sweetest of dropgoals straight through the uprights with just three minutes left to play.
It was an awfully long three minutes though but the forwards went to work grinding out that remaining time and after what seemed like another hour or so the loudest clock countdown from ten at the Gardens saw the Saints secure the game and that place in the final later this month.
At that final whistle not only were there scenes of celebration but an almost audible collective sigh of relief. Ten minutes earlier pinned back in our own twenty two you might have thought the opportunity was passing us by but the ability of the lads to stay calm and forge on regardless saw us through to the clash with Bourgoin and our first European final since 2000. We may have a lot of youngsters out there but when the chips were looking down they did not panic and showed some collective maturity.
When I had time to get my breath back, get my blood pressure down and collect my thoughts I reflected on what a great Gardens night that had been both on and off the pitch. Fair play to the Saracens supporters, they got there in numbers to get behind their side. Though like most I wanted to stick those incessant horns where the sun don't shine the Saints support took it as a challenge and we raised our game and our voices too. We may never be good enough to win Eurovision but the belting out of Oh When The Saints went a long way to making the best atmosphere we have had in quite a long while. If we can bottle some of that and take it to the final it should certainly add to the occasion.
So the stage is set, in two weeks we have the ECC final to look forward to on the evening of Friday 22nd May at Kingsholm, Gloucester . There has been a lot written and said this week about the choice of venue and time. Certainly given it is the Friday that is one of the busiest days of the year on the roads it is not ideal and those having to work a full day will be pushed to make kick off heading out from the Northampton area.
The hiring of coaches may well be hindered also by firms having their vehicles tied up in school runs, the bread and butter of most businesses. That hardly makes it ideal, nor indeed for those travelling by rail as there is a fair chance they will not get home that night.
For those travelling from France they have the added pressure of actually getting to England before they make that trek to the West Country and you do wonder if those that made the decision actually considered the travelling support at all.
Of course there have been rumblings over the channel that the game should be held there but the arguments proved unfounded when it came to light that the French federation had not even put a venue forward at the planning stage.
However the die is now cast and ERC the organising body are not for changing so we have to get on with the job and come hell or high water, by hook or by crook, we must be there on the night.
It is after all a European Final and much as we might not agree with the venue and time this is not one for voting with your feet. I am sure however that everyone who can will be doing their utmost to be there on the night to get behind the lads and hopefully see us lift some silverware and of course qualify for the Heineken Cup next season.
Whether that is having to take time off work to travel down, staying down in Gloucester overnight (to hopefully enjoy the party) or both. don't miss out you might well regret it.
Of course some people cannot juggle their lives that easily at short notice and I feel for them but if it's a case of you can then please make the effort, it could be a great night in Saints history, don't miss out.
WEE TAM'S TESTIMONIAL
Friday also saw Tom Smith's final competitive game at the Gardens. After being shoulder carried round the pitch ‘Wee Tam' took time out to try and personally thank and shake the hand of everybody who had lined up at pitchside. For all I know given the numbers queuing he might still be there now but I hope he's well rested for Saturday's testimonial game at the Gardens. Yes he's not finished with the hallowed turf yet as his Saints Legends XV take on a World & Lions XV in his honour.
There will be some familiar faces returning to the Gardens to play for Saints whilst the World side includes some of the great and good of the game and Austin Healey. Could be a very entertaining afternoon.
On the following Friday Paul Flatt and Phil Hollis have organised one of their very entertaining quiz nights at the Gardens as part of Toms testimonial year. They have presented a few of these quizzes over the years for various causes connected to the club and they are always good nights out. If you want to take part or want more information call Paul on 07841-104396 or Phil on 07821-552319.
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StumbleuponNews : Thoughts from the Chron 7th May
Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)
Date: 07/05/2009 23:22
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Re: News : Thoughts from the Chron 7th May
Posted by: Christy (IP Logged)
Date: 08/05/2009 16:18
usual good write up from you Chris. Just thought I'd post so you didn't think we weren't reading it. Its just were're all so busy organising tickets etc.
Re: News : Thoughts from the Chron 7th May
Posted by: ISF (IP Logged)
Date: 08/05/2009 19:25
amazing that this was just last week. it was so epic it feels like a lifetime ago
Re: News : Thoughts from the Chron 7th May
Posted by: St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad (IP Logged)
Date: 09/05/2009 06:18
Always spectacular Mr G
“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
Re: News : Thoughts from the Chron 7th May
Posted by: Howlin (IP Logged)
Date: 09/05/2009 11:09
What a load of rubbish. Can't even get the venue of the final right.
Saint til I die
Saint til I die
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