Guinness Premiership Semi Final

16 May 2010, Franklin's Gardens

Northampton Saints 19, Saracens 21

By Jonathan Stockham at Franklin's Gardens

I'm not sure how to write a report after such a huge disappointment as today's result. Having sat in the stand for 15 minutes or so after the final whistle, watching our players leave the pitch, some for the last time, after playing their hearts out for 80 minutes, there is a numbness of the soul and a feeling of "Where did it go wrong?"

In essence, Saints were undone by a visiting team in a rich vein of form who attacked at speed, defended stoutly and who benefited from Saints own breach of the laws on frequent occasions, especially in the first half.

Saints scored two valiant tries, both by props, but were bettered by three tries, all converted, by Sarries. Stephen Myler missed Saints' two conversions, which was to prove significant but he did slot 3 penalties, one a magnificent long range effort from 50 metres. Indeed, Saints led by 5 points going into the final quarter but the lead was not enough when Saracens drove Schalk Brits over from a 5 metre line out with 3 minutes left to play on the clock.

Saints had also led narrowly at the interval after an awesome charge up the left touch line by Soane Tonga'uiha. He scattered defenders in his wake as he set off from Saracens 10m line to thunder over in the corner. Arguably Saints should have been further ahead than 8-7 but they failed to take advantage of Jacques Burger's sin-binning after only 7 minutes. Worse than that, Sarries scored a fine try whilst down to 14 men as Alex Goode was sent over following a break started by Brits.

At the death, Saints knew they had to attack furiously to try to recover the lead as time ticked away and they promptly got themselves into Saracens half. They tried to pick and drive into a position where Myler had a chance at a drop goal but Saracens defence gave them neither the time nor the field position to pull it off. By the time Myler received a pass he also got the Sarries defence and the ball was turned over and hoofed into touch to bring the game to an end.

Sarries of course celebrated wildly whilst Saints players stood or crouched, looking dejected. To have come this far and failed at the next to last hurdle is hard to take.

But before we get too gloomy, we have come a long way in two seasons, following promotion from Division 1. We have one trophy tucked away this term and secured qualification for next year's Heineken Cup. We won more games in the regular league season than any other and finished second, giving us a home semi final tie. All in all, significant progress and a base upon which to build for the future with many exciting young players on the books. Saints are still a work in progress and can confidently aim higher next season.

But, today's result still hurts.

And it hurts especially as we say farewell to departing players on such a flat note, on such an anticlimax. Nacho Lobbe's face said it all as he trudged around the pitch after the game ended...massive disappointment.

To all those leaving our club, thank you and we wish you well for whatever the future may hold.

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Teams:

Northampton Saints:

Foden; Ashton, Downey, Clarke, Reihana (Ansbro 43mins); Myler, Dickson; Tonga'uiha, Hartley (capt) (Sharman 73mins), Mujati (Morris 72mins); Fernandez Lobbe (Lawes 55mins), Kruger; Dowson, Best, Wilson

Scorers - Tries: Tonga'uiha, Mujati; Pens: Myler (x3)

Saracens:

Goode (Hougaard 72mins); Tagicakibau, Powell (Ratavou 47mins), Barritt, Wyles; Jackson, de Kock (Marshall 72mins); Aguero (Gill 62mins), Brits, du Plessis (Skuse 73mins); Vyvyan, Botha (Ryder 58mins); Burger, Saull (Melck 58mins), Joubert (capt)

Scorers - Tries: Goode, Wyles, Brits; Cons: Jackson (x2)  

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