each side is allowed to put in a certain amount of assault and battery and do things to its fellow man which, if done elsewhere, would result in 14 days without the option, coupled with some strong remarks from the Bench." - P. G. Wodehouse Very Good, Jeeves (1930)

LV = AWC Cup Final

Sunday  21st March 2010

Sixfields KO 3:30

21^st March 2010            Tracy Gonçalves (Lilyg)

I had worries – would Spaniel-Daniel skip through our defence, was eating yesterdays pizza for breakfast a good idea, would Fuimaono-Sapolu and Molenaar be a barn storming centre pairing, would I end up sitting behind a bloke with big hair, would Gloucester’s good form push on, with all the rain – would it be another “Camborne”, would Nicky Robinson win the kicking contest, have I cut my nails short enough to save them being chewed to oblivion later this afternoon (ok I did break two cutting the lawn on Friday – but you get the sentiment.). Neither am I superstitious – but I have been wearing my lucky socks all season and I wished the lonesome magpie a good morning on the way to the ground.

What I should have been concerned about was the lack of sun block and sun glasses – for those of us who sit with ten layers of clothing in the Churches stand even though the Tetley’s is basking in semi-tropical conditions, sitting in the Slick Stand was like bathing in warm custard, with the sun licking your face like your pet Labrador. I’m all for a bit of global warming, me!

Firstly, I really must apologise to the bloke who sat next to me and is now deaf in one ear – if you’re going to Limerick, may be you could sit on the other side and I could balance things up.

Secondly, my only paragraph of whinge: Terry Burwell (RFU Tournament & Competitions Director) – you have failed yourself, you have failed your sponsors, you have disappointed the clubs in this competition, you have disappointed their supporters, you have disappointed and failed the game. What you could not do, is ruin a fantastic match from two committed and driven squads, supported by committed and driven supporters. Ends

And so to this – the first of the treble; in 1823, William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball in his arms and ran with it. And for the next 156 years forwards have been trying to work out why." - Sir Tasker Watkins (1979). I’ll tell you why Tasker old boy, because, today we witnessed two heavyweight in form teams, battling for the first trophy of the year and more importantly a place in next seasons Heineken cup.

Even before Nicky Robinsons first very wayward penalty, Gloucester pressed and pressured, whilst the Saints held back waiting to pounce – even the volcano’s lovely blue and yellow plaits didn’t put off the ferocious and solid Saints defence.

"The Holy Writ of Gloucester Rugby Club demands: first, that the forwards shall win the ball; second, that the forwards shall keep the ball; and third, the backs shall buy the beer." (Doug Ibbotson). You can take it from me that the Gloucester pack had the upper hand in the scrum, but not at breakdown – something the Saints were the superior all afternoon.

Despite ignoring two high tackles from Gloucester and another player sealing the ball, Mr Lewis, our esteemed man in the middle, offered Nicky Robinson another chance to take the lead – which he did just skimming the inside of the goal post.

No sooner had play restarted when Myler was offered a similar opportunity – a sharp intake of breath from the green half of the supporters – but never in any doubt and the points were secured.

Terrific play from both sides and you can read the blow by blow in the papers tomorrow – but suffice to say penalties were swapped, mistakes were made and I was getting more hoarse by the second.

Gloucester’s supporters were having a good attempt to sing their err, umm, word, but the Saints ‘Wendy’ was louder and prouder and could probably be heard back in Gloucester. As the game progressed, they got quieter other than a few eeyore’s and we got noisier – that was until Ongaro, bashed his way over the line to score the games first try, thanks to a Nicky Robinson break and quick hands from the support.

This was obviously a hint for the Saints to move up a gear and within three minutes, a break from Myler allowed a mighty Tongan to come over the hill to score a well deserved try. Saints turned up the pressure further and a phenomenal passage of play from both sides ended up with play moving end to end, Bruce finally broke through the lines to send Kruger thundering up the pitch, the ball passing out along the line to let Downey race through to score Saints second try – woo hoo!

Half time Saints 20 Glassdoor 14

Locked in battle, the countries two most attacking sides again locked horns for the most important 40 minutes of the season so far.

Good running rugby continued but Scrums were set, reset and continued to be open to interpretation – Gloucester benefiting from – may be – better technique or just being a bit chunkier. Who knows, but Saints managed to get the ball back by fair means or foul. Camped on Saints five meter line, after another couple of resets and warnings, Mr Lewis had had enough and awarded Gloucester a penalty try (boo). Score Saints 20 Glassdoor 21.

OK, I now start to feel a little bit tense, the Phil Mitchell lookalike stewards were prowling, the breakfast pizza was giving me indigestion and the cherry and white supporters found their voices again. The boys with the enormous beer backpacks continued to wander up and down the aisles getting moaned at for getting in the way of this fabulous spectacle – I felt one puff of wind and they’d be on their backs doing the dying fly.

But fear not – my beloved team lift themselves again and Lee Dickson scored a wonderful try after some slick handling from Clarke, Best, Dowson and – who else – but the mighty Tiny.

It was Nicky Robinson’s denied try that was the turning point for me (well done Besty, for getting that great paw in the way), well that and the day’s best moment which of course was Tiny’s 70 meter foot race with the Gloucester backs.  In fact, it was so frightening, when you watch the TV highlights; it’ll be from behind the sofa! It is easily the highlight of the season ........so far.

A successful penalty from each side, meant a tense finish – with Gloucester pressing in the dying moments, me little legs were wobbly with nerves, but we were saved by an eeyore moment from Spaniel-Daniel and a mighty hoof into touch by Dickson.

The whistle went and NORTHAMPTON SAINTS ARE THE CHAMPIONS

I have been a STH for 18 years and today I am as proud as I have ever been. I was ably supported by some fantastic Gloucester Support – they are a credit to their club, I was even more proud of the saints supporters and...........what was the other thing............oh yes, the 15 men on the pitch in Green, Black and Gold who gave it their all, created a magnificent day out and never gave up.

Many congratulations to Digger on his century – a smaller stature, but a big and mighty heart.

Finally - there is only one more thing to say

“YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS”

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