14. Best refereeing moment?

Whilst no one respects Wayne Barnes, except his mum who often posts on the message board when St Marlowe and Wellsaint describe him as a numpty or, even worse, a tube of monumental proportions. (Mind you, how many times have I accused him of being a madman with a whistle?) (42 at last count- Ed) He certainly entertains us, but hey, clowns often do…

'Wayne Barnes announcing his retirement...'

 ‘Dave "I've got my cards and I'm going to use them' Pearson when sending off Dan Richmond 

– the disbelief in his voice was very, very funny. Result wasn't though'

 

 

 

 

 

’Mayhem forgetting the ‘use it or lose it’ rule against Sarries away from home and the introduction of the ‘keep going till I can ping the Saints’ rule. If you didn’t laugh you would have cried. One can only imagine how the game was described on the radio, but for those there it was the rugby equivalent of water torture.’

 

 

 

15. Performance of the Season by a Saints Player

It’s Los, but on so many occasions…

‘Carlos Spencer vs. Newcastle at Kingston Park , he absolutely shredded them he slipped through and set up Barnard , then chased a kick and scored himself and just gave the boys and squeaky problems all game.’

‘Carlos master class vs. Saracens, predictable as an Andy Robinson team selection I'm afraid.’

Los vs. Sarries epitomized everything that the club wants to be and where we are going. Open and exciting, always looking to play fluid and fast. Confident in himself and in those around him. We knew sooner or later he was going to give someone a pasting and though he didn’t do it all by himself he showed us all what the club and the players can do with a little imagination and bravery.

16. Who Most Personifies Being A Saint?

'Kev Buckby the kit man!'

Fair point would you want to pick up chickens sweaty jock strap?

‘I am not sure if he is the outright most saintly person (within the meaning of the question) but David Powell must be close. He was bitten by the Saints bug a long time ago and became a distinguished player, captain and coach. He continues in his devotions by searching for excellence in his current field – the field of our dreams. He no longer has the sort of recognition afforded by the board to one of their own but his passion and determination to do the best he can for the Saints is undiminished.’

 

 

 

And eventually a player or two got a mention….

‘

 

 

Matt Lord. Doesn't get in the headlines, but always works hard’

 

 

 

 

‘Bruce Reihana, an inspiration on the field, charm and grace of it…’

‘Bruce Reihana – that chap runs and plays his heart out every time he turns out in the GB&G. And yet he still takes time for the supporters – he is an outstanding role model for any young player. We are very lucky to have him.’

 

 

You’ve got to Admit it, Bruce, he’s the man….

 

 

17. Where will Saints finish next season?

This year this question got some lovely deep thought, so much better than people just writing ‘uh, 3^rd’

 

‘The $64,000 question.  Until the squad is finalised it’s difficult to say.  The new forwards coach looks like a good idea but I think we still have a large gap to bridge to get to the same standards as Wasps (even in slight decline), Tigs & especially Sale.  We should be capable of 5th but it’s not the personnel, it’s that I just don’t see the mental strength necessary to win things yet.  How many years has that been happening for?  As for the HC, we’ll need a good draw & some luck to get out of the group stages.  2007-8 might be different though…’

‘Looking at teams below us this year, Harlequins and Bath look as though they may have the ambition and resources to be well clear of the relegation scrap. Saracens new coaching team (how many’ is that in how many years?) will do well to keep the spark ignited by Eddie Jones alight. Worcester, Newcastle and Bristol will all claim scalps while never really threatening to be among the upper echelons of the league. There will be pressure from below.’

 

Of those above us, there is no doubt that Sale and Leicester are sides of genuine quality. Gloucester can be beaten, was London Irish’s season the start of something special or is it built on too shallow a foundation? Wasps’ fans are fidgety. They think that one trophy is unacceptable but can only see their side being less potent year on year. Saints will finish between 4^th and 6^th.

18. Biggest Disappointment?

 

Ooh, I hate this bit, saucer of milk table two!!!

'I don’t like saying it, but Steve Thompson. The boy needs a good rest and should come back stronger next season.'

'First game of the season - after a preseason that promised much we froze in the headlights away at Leicester of all places'

'1st game of season and getting nilled'

'The European competition felt flat, even at the knockout stage. Glad we're back in the HC as this will mean some good European opposition, some real games to look forward to. For me, one of the main reasons I renew my ST is that I enjoy the HC games and seeing some new opposition. Frankly, Viadana and Narbonne didn't really do it for me!! (No disrespect intended to either, by the way; just that when you've seen Toulouse etc., it's a bit of a comedown)'

‘Some of the decisions made by the management during games beggar belief. Some serious thought needs to go into substitutions in future. Best example, taking off Tom Smith against Wasps at the Causeway. He was monumental that day, when he and also Dan Richmond came off with twenty minutes to go; the wheels came off completely…’

‘The European competition felt flat, even at the knockout stage.  Glad we're back in the HC as this will mean some good European opposition, some real games to look forward to.  For me, one of the main reasons I renew my ST is that I enjoy the HC games and seeing some new opposition.  Frankly, Viadana and Narbonne didn't really do it for me!!  (No disrespect intended to either, by the way; just that when you've seen Toulouse etc., it's a bit of a comedown)’

19. Most Memorable Moment?

'Away at Wasps when Clarkey fielded the kick-off against Wasps and promptly went through Guy of Gisbourne to score!'

‘If I was being nasty it would be the look on Mark Regan’s face at the end of the game at Bristol in the league after his ludicrous “take a bow” antics on being subbed on the hour with his team only 16 points up…!’

The winner is of course…..

’The over-the-head kick and catch by Carlos – absolutely priceless. I am glad I was able to see it repeated on television as my senses must have been on overload – I just hadn’t believed my own eyes.’

 

20. Saints Try of the Season?

 

With so many beauties, this was a hard one…

‘One of Sharky's versus Sarries away. Pick one of them, I don't care which. Both incredible’

‘Bruce scored it, though whether it was against Narbonne at home or Bath at home I don’t know. Sharky’s two at Vicarage Road had me out of my seat, too; while Clarkey’s back-to-front hand-off and under-arm offload for Cohen’s try in Narbonne was also very special.’

Rhodri’s solo try v wasps at home. Sheer class

21. Have Saints done better, worse or than you expected this season?

 

Overall, better, though the doubters were vocal in and around Christmas the player’s turnaround proved that the last laugh was on Leeds Tykes and not us…

Better because of their playing style and recruitment policy.

 

Much, much better - weird thing is they could have done even better when you think of the close games before Christmas!

 

Pre-season expectations I was hopeful for a playoff spot. After that though they have exceeding my expectations, especially after the first day at Leicester.

 

Alot better , I wanted us to finish where we are know but I still wasn't that confident heading into the season and predicted an 8th/9th kind of finish , but I’ll settle for 6^th.

22. Is there anything that can be done to improve your day out at Franklins Gardens?

There were plenty of ideas coming forward this year…..

'Quicker access to the bars and more room in the terrace - but all in all it’s a cracking day out and now we just need to build the ground up until it at least reaches 25k - we can fill it.'

What?  Apart from bringing back the old Gordon Terrace?  God, I’m sounding like a cracked record, but the stadium just isn’t as intimidating as it used to be for the opposition.  I’m going to sound like Victor Meldrew again here but I still don’t like the Vangelis stuff – all it does is provide a build-up for the opposition to run out on to the pitch to.  All makes for a jolly nice family day out, I suppose…!  The other thing would be the crowd ceasing to moan about refereeing decisions when things aren’t going our way – I must be a bit of an optimist!

‘Them allowing me on the bouncy castle!!!’

‘Pre poured Guinness please.’

 

 They need to improve access to beer. I know not how, but the crush in the Rodbar is getting actively unpleasant now.

 

Get me a photographer's pass so I can sit by the pitch

 

Kick first VX out of the Rodbar back into their own bar in Churches (this coming from a first XV member) and lay on the bands in the bar after like we used to have (though I know the SSC organise them)

 

Make it compulsory for all bars at FG to have several glass collectors of the standard of the Bus club Hubba Hubba!

 

Flaming hell! That would kill our Simon!!!!

 

Whilst some of these are reasonably "do-able" this last one is a little out of our hands…

Move it nearer to Moscow.

 

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