News: Thoughts from the Chron 13th May 2010

By Chris Gleadell
May 14 2010
After the narrow defeat two weeks before some doubters were suggesting it might be all over for us but events of the weekend proved that the season is far from over for the Saints. In the win against London Irish down at Reading on Saturday the Northampton express appears to be well and truly back on track and still steaming towards that Premiership final at the end of May.

Thoughts From The Chron

13th May 2010

A win against the Exiles was all important to secure a home semi-final on the next leg of the Saints journey this season even more so as the day panned out and news filtered through of Saracens fine win up at Welford Road.

For Saints though, despite some early jitters which were ridden out by a watertight defence there was only ever going to be one result at the Madejski Stadium. It may have taken two Stephen Myler penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the lion’s share of the first half but a score by Jon Clarke after some fine work by Ben Foden at the death of the first period promised of more to come.

Eight minutes into the second half that increased pressure bore fruition with a score that was described by the TV pundits later as a ‘typical Saints try’ and who are we to doubt them?
A Soane Tonga'uiha burst through the middle ignited the move before Tiny linked with lock Juandre Kruger in support on the inside. Juandre, who will be very sorely missed next season, drew the last defender before sending Chris Ashton in under the posts. It was a popular and somewhat emotional score. Chris has had a torrid time of it in the last couple of weeks following the death of his father after a short illness. Great respect to him for playing through the heartache of his loss and I have no doubt in honour of what his Dad would have wished. Losing a parent is never easy, even more so for someone in the spotlight, and I know everyone who has been in the same position will be feeling for the lad. It may be some small consolation but I know everyone connected with the Saints, including all of us supporters, have Chris and his family in our thoughts at the current time.

Returning to the action the conversion of the try and a further penalty from Smyler saw the Saints three scores clear and coasting and with an hour gone the hosts still had not got on the scoreboard with the score at 21-0. Irish must have been disappointed in their display given that they were saying goodbye to a handful of leavers including Mike Catt. However they got some small reward with one of those departees Danie Coetzee going over for his clubs first try of the afternoon and his first score for the Exiles after 90 odd appearances, not a bad way to sign off despite the result.

Knowing that another score for Irish could have them breathing down our necks in the dying stages the lads upped it once more and a further penalty and a second converted try for Clarkey, like his first at the death of the half, saw Saints clear at 31-7 and the all important win in the bag.

A look at the final Guinness Premiership table tells you that with that Leicester loss we were edged by just two points by our nearest and dearest to finish at the top of the pile. Far play to Tigers though, they were the most consistent side over the 22 games but a closer look tells you it was Saints who won more games than anyone else over the regular season. It was also Saints who had the tightest defence over the regular season of the twelve Premiership clubs so it suggests so close yet so far. Indeed if were still played under the old league rules, two points for a win, one for a draw and no bonus points or playoffs we would now be celebrating Saints first championship and no doubt people would still be dancing in the streets of Jimmies End tonight.

But we are in a new era now, bonus points have brought the game on leaps and bounds certainly from an expansive game (and yes entertainment) point of view. As for the playoffs well I have never really been a fan as I think it just rewards the best sprinters in May out of a handful of teams and can leave the club that won the nine month marathon from the September before with absolutely nothing. However as a died in the wool Saints supporter I will not be cutting off my nose to spite my face in realising it gives us a second bite of the Premiership cherry. So we are still well and truly in it to win it, bring on the Fezheads!

SUNDAY

Perhaps ‘it is the biggest game of the season so far’ is an overused cliché in any sport but there is no escaping the fact that if there ever was a ‘big one’ it is Sundays Premiership semi final playoff against Saracens at the Gardens. Perhaps too many column inches have been wasted already on the perceived rivalry between the two clubs, but what the hang here goes a few more. From the disputed try at Wembley to the whole Tiny non-contract saga through to Sarries Edward Griffiths accusing Saints of all manner of things there appears to be no love lost between the clubs. Whilst from our camp there are noises about the rivalry being healthy and there seems to be a general attempt at a thaw in relations from both sides it is not helped by serial protagonist Brendan Venter’s plainly daft hinting that Dylan Hartley’s call for revenge this weekend means he is out to cause physical assault on Saracens players because of his ‘reputation’. I am
sure for the Saints it is mostly water off a ducks back though because despite all the posturing the only person I’ve seen look like they are going to burst a blood vessel is Venter himself.

It all adds spice to the encounter for the two sets of supporters though. There has been a flurry of online banter this season between the fans but by and large we get on well. Yes some might take it all too seriously and throw the toys out the pram from either side of the divide now and then. There may also be a few aloof Saints who look down on Saracens and in return a couple of people down Watford way who proclaim your life is in danger if you visit that heinous Franklins Gardens place but for the rank and file its as always may the best team win and a handshake, pat on the back and a pint afterwards. And long may that continue.

And it looks once again that us supporters are in for a treat again on Sunday. Hats, or should that be Fez’s, off to Sarries in they way they have turned their season around. Starting off with the style they started their season with that found them few friends but a string of victories that was found wanting as the season went on even to the degree that their own fans booed them there has been a marked change. It seems it took a players revolt to get Dr Venter to rethink his approach to their game. All of a sudden it is as if the first ten on the teamsheet have turned round and realised there are five other guys on the pitch and perhaps it would be kind to let them have a run every now and then. The result is a free flowing expansive wide game that is hard to play against as recent results have shown.

But then as mentioned in this column after the last game I cannot but think we do have the beating of them. Yes perhaps they were the best side that visited the Gardens this season but we played poorly by our own standards and lost just by a single point. This time round mistakes will be remedied, there will not be jaded players and yes there will be a giant slice of revenge on peoples minds. Quite simply I do not think we will play that ‘badly’ again and I do not think good, as they are, that Saracens have enough in the tank to take up the slack if we get back into full flow.

We of course have a massive part to play too. We do have to make the Gardens a cauldron from start to finish. It might be a sign of the successful season but lately I have got the feeling when chips are down we are slightly muted, perhaps it’s the sing when you’re winning syndrome. So again let’s leave our voices in the stands and on the terraces. We do after all have two weeks to recover before we visit Twickenham. Saints by ten!

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News: Thoughts from the Chron 13th May 2010

Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2010 23:29

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