...duff...OMG indeed...the ball misses by the proverbial mile...off trudge the Gardens faithful home for their tea and the weekly fix of Matt Smith's excellent Doctor Who.

Guinness Premiership Round 21

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS v  Saracens

24th April 2010 Franklin's Gardens

K.O 3pm

The last gasp drama is not however the whole tale of the match. We shouldn't forget that minutes earlier Sarries appeared to have sealed the win with a try only for the usually reliable Jackson to also miss a kick at goal. It would also be unfair in these opening paragraphs not to mention the attacking endeavour of Saracens that at times shredded the Saints normally mean defence. They scored three tries to Saints two and with that stat in mind were worthy destroyers of the impressive home record. It also appears that the two horse race for the title as many pundits saw it, also has a fez wearing camel. The match was far closer to a cup-tie than a league match with both sides giving 110%. You can't question the commitment as tackles flew in and shattered players were left strewn across the pitch.

In the build up it was clear that the Saints supporters had one thing on their mind - supporting Tiny. As Uncle Geoff read out: "number 1 Soane Tonga'uiha," there was a mighty roar. Well what did anybody expect?

It didn't start well for Saints. Everyone knows we prefer to play towards the lake in the 2^nd half. However Myler got the scoreboard ticking. But the lead didn't last as Sarries hit back hard, fast and with fluent accuracy that can only be admired, Joubert being the man to dot down in the corner. Now being a one eyed Saints supporter I hope Mr White's attention is drawn to the obstruction on the right wing that led to this score in the left corner but those are the breaks you get when willing to play with ambition. Jackson converted to make the score 3-7. It also appears a team playing at pace can get away with blatant forward passes but hey that's just sour grapes!

Then followed a period of Saints ascendancy where the Saracens were lucky not to lose the players to the sin bin but again you have to say good rugby players know when to give penalties away. Streetwise it's called. If I saw Botha, Burger or Joubert in my street I'd run home and lock the door! Anyway Myler did the business and kicked Saints back into a 9-7 lead before Jackson replied making it 9-10.

Here again I have to bring my bugbear of last week. Restarts. At the risk or raising the wrath of the accomplished Claire Jones, the Saints are poor in this area and the opposition are onto us. Other bits of set piece appear sound. Our lineout is solid, so much so that Sarries didn't bother to compete in an almost bizarre way that I struggled to comprehend. They looked disinterested to the point that a catch and drive looked like it would be like a knife through butter. The scrum is competitive, we appear to be superior at times but there's a weird frailty about it too, which makes it a bit 50:50. However I maintain that the restarts are a mare and really do need attention.

Towards the end of the 2^nd half the Saints were on a roll attacking the steep end of the slope. At this point I have to defer to my cousin in the south stand who informed me: "one of their South African's grabbed hold of Ashy before he got the ball and just would let go." That South African was Botha and for his sins he earned 10 minutes in the bin and cost his side a penalty try. 16-10 at the break.

After half time and still down to 14 men Sarries reduced the deficit with a Jackson penalty before scoring an absolute belter of a try.  The hugely impressive Powell finishing a move that there was nothing to do except sit back and admire. Those lads can play a bit and it's a bit of bad timing for the rest of the GP that they finally woke up and smelled the biltong! I'm not sure how Saints kept them out for further scores but they did...just.

Next Saints reclaimed the lead with a Myler penalty but then Jackson took it back with one for Sarries. A comedy of errors saw Saints with the put into the scrum under their own posts. A seemingly dominant engage somehow twisted and Dickson was under pressure at the base. Sarries pounced and moved swiftly to put Penney in at the corner, the game looked up, and then Jackson missed the conversion.

Geraghty was introduced and despite the detractors the Saints suddenly looked sharper. A good restart gave the forwards a chance and then it was pressure, pressure, pressure from the Saints. Sarries appeared up to the task especially when Reihana was denied in the corner and from the lineout they drove a maul to the 22 but the pressure told and Foden forced his way over the line. The crowd went wild but this time the great escape wasn't to be.

So is that it? Have the hats fallen off the wheels? No I don't think so. I don't remember this side losing two league matches in a row before this season and I think it's a blip they'll be keen to sort out. The Madejski may not be the happiest hunting ground but I expect they'll go there with all optimism. The home advantage for the semi final is at risk but the fat lady has yet to sing.

We still have plenty to be proud of here in Northampton, after all when did someone from Sarries-land ever sort out the daleks?

The match pictures can be seen here

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