By From the Archives
September 25 2002

In our first look back at previous Saints v Saracens games we bypass the Templars v Infidels at the sacking of Jerusalem in the 11th Century and instead look to Vicarage Road in December 2000 and a stroll in the park for the Saints A Pie, Pint and a Try for Lammy!

By Saint On The Spot
Date: 4/12/2000

The Saints kept their current revival well on track as they won their fifth game on the trot by destroying a totally outplayed Sarries at Vicarage Road on Sunday. The club has now leapfrogged several teams to sit nicely placed at fourth in the table with the summit now within their reach.

The Saints dominated proceedings in the opening encounters but failed to find any way through the Sarries defence. Time and time again the ball was lost in contact at a vital point in the attack.
They battled on gamely but it was Sarries who posted the first points.

Richard Haughton, one of several 'associate' players appearing for Sarries, took the ball in his own twenty two and rounded both Luca Martin and Matt Allen before chipping over full back Paul Grayson for an easy touchdown. It was the first time Sarries had entered the Saints half and the conversion gave them a seven point lead.

The Saints immediatly hit back and several pick and drives later gave Ali Hepher the time and centre field position to knock over a long range drop goal. Larry added a penalty minutes later, where lock Kris Chesney was despatched to the bin for killing the ball,
to reduce the deficit to one point before Sarries paid their second visit of the afternoon to Saints territory.

After a couple of ill natured scrums and lineouts, where Kyran Bracken was clearly acting illegally at the base, the captains were called together and warned of their teams conduct. Strangely it was the Saints who were penalised and the resulting penalty gave the home side a 10-6 half time lead.
Twice they had been in the Saints half, twice they had scored, however it was the last points they were to score all day.

The second half started with the Saints laying their cards of intention firmly on the table from the beggining.

They forced Sarries back into their twenty two and gave their defence no way out. Under pressure there was a knock on which gave the Saints a five metre scrum.

With all play looking like it was to go to the openside, Pat Lam picked up at the base and sauntered round Kris Chesney on the blinside to score an easy try. Indeed such was the time that Pat was given he almost had time to stop for a pie and a pint on the way!

Larry failed to convert but the constant Saints pressure that followed allowed him to rattle up a further four penalties in the ensuing twenty minutes.

Now with a thirteen point lead the Saints were sailing but Sarries were still in with a sniff of a bonus point and fought back gamely. They could find no way through the Saints midfield and back row. Tackle came upon tackle, with Harvey Thorneycroft amongst others, saving the day.

The Saints weathered the storm and again drove upfield in the dying minutes.
Dom Malone took up the challenge and went on a diagonal run to the corner only to be hauled down just short.

The ball was recyled to the right of the attack and the Sarries defence was sucked in hook line and sinker. Malone found Andy Blowers in centre field and just as it looked like he was going to step inside for his first Saints try he drew the last defender and sent a long looping pass out to Joe Shaw to score his debut in the corner.

By now the Sarries support was leaving in droves.
They had been outplayed on the pitch and outsung on the terraces. Oh joy!

Larry converted on the final whistle to give the Saints a well earned and well deserved victory.

A good win for the Saints and now the season is well and truly back on track. The win was all the more remarkable because the backs never really got into their full stride the whole game after losing.

With several players out of position and the yet to return Sleightholme, Beal, Dason, Brouzet, Moir and Cohen the future my friends looks bright!

RESULT:
Saracens 10 Saints 30

TEAMS:
SAINTS: Paul Grayson; Luca Martin, Allan Bateman (Joe Shaw, 25), Matt Allen, Harvey Thorneycroft; Ali Hepher, Dom Malone; Garry Pagel, Steve Brotherstone (Steve Thomson, 79), Matt Stewart, Andy Newman, Tim Rodber (Jon Phillips, 65), Andy Blowers, Budge Pountney, Pat Lam (Grant Seely 75)

SARACENS: B Sparg; G Arasa (rep: R Haughton, 8min), B Johnston, T Shanklin, D O'Mahony; D McRae (rep: K Iwauchi, 79), N Walshe (rep: K Bracken, 30); L Harbut (rep: D Flatman, 30), R Russell (rep: M Cairns, 80), S Phillips (rep: J White, 30), B Davison, S Murray, K Chesney (sin-bin, 31), T Roques, A Diprose.

SCORERS:
SAINTS:
Tries: Lam (44), Shaw (80).
Conversion: Grayson.
Penalty goals: Grayson 5 (31, 52, 58, 64, 68). Dropped goal: Hepher (29).

Saracens: Tries: Haughton (14min). Conversion: McRae. Penalty goal: McRae (40),

SCORING SEQUENCE:
7-0, 7-3, 7-6, 10-6 (half-time), 10-11, 10-14, 10-17, 10-20, 10-23, 10-30.

NAUGHTY BOYS
SAINTS: None!

Sarries:
Yellow: Chesney

REFEREE:
Ed Morrison (RFU)

ATTENDANCE:
10,483