Northampton Saints
Wanderers Denied A League Clean Sweep by Bath
By Robby Richmond
January 13 2009
Northampton's youthful Wanderers side came to Bath's recreation ground to find that spring had come early. But they also found a home side that was less than hospitable. A lovely calm evening greeted the Wanderers after a day of drenching rain in the southwest.
Match report by Robby Richmond
Northampton's youthful Wanderers side came to Bath's recreation ground to find that spring had come early. But they also found a home side that was less than hospitable. A lovely calm evening greeted the Wanderers after a day of drenching rain in the southwest. But it would seem that the time away from the A league has cost the young Turks of the academy none of the fire, none of the passion, but sadly some of our fundamentals were seeming less than we know they're capable of producing at this level.
With Rob Hunter prowling the touchlines like a cougar ready to pounce it seemed in the opening stages as if a typical Saintly style explosion was around the corner with Liam Neale and Joe Ansbro bringing the noise big time to the taut and well-organized United defense. With resolute efficiency Bath held firm and began to take a hold on the game through the experienced triumvirate of Shaun Berne, Shontaye Hape and the former Saints center Robbie Kydd, beloved for his heroics in Barrittz.
With ruthless composure the three orchestrated several breaks, including one very delicately placed chip over the head of Neil Starling, which was delightfully collected by Hape as he went on to run head long into Nick Greenhalgh and Joe Ansbro who stemmed the tide but not before the ball could fizz to the left hand wing and after a break of the line from the very impressive Josh Ovens put Berne through for the opening try of the evening. The mountainous Jack Cuthbert adding the conversion.
Saint's youngsters then didn't see the ball for the next 20 minutes or so as Bath hit them with a blitzkrieg attack which from my standpoint resembled something similar to that of Guernica. With Adrian Griffiths, an 8 playing in the second row, doing his best to pull up trees and the always under rated Chris Goodman joining the younger of the Ovens brothers in battering holes into the bedraggled and overrun Wanderers defensive corridor.
The Wanderers suffered for the help of a few older and wiser heads. While Neale, Lewitt, Sharman and Cannon worked hard carrying and hitting rucks there seemed to be a lack of composure. And while communications on the field were clear and concise it was obvious that Saints youngsters were outgunned and having to work desperately hard to stay in the game with tireless defence and fierce tackling from Rae and Hoy who had replaced the nonstop workhorse that is Matt Lord after 15 minutes or so. As a concerned onlooker, Lordy looked to be in a good deal of pain as he hobbled off the field assisted by Kev the kitman and the cute little physio who name I don't know and whose number I would like. (Hey! It's a girl before any of you start getting any ideas and start cracking wise!)
Bath firmly had the bit between the teeth and were firing all guns blazing at the Wanderers line. Our big guns faced up to them with vigour but the constant barrage was too much. Our able seamen were pulled back and forth across the gain line. Bruising hits filled the Rec as young men hit each other as hard as they possibly could, a battle between the crazy brave and foolishly valiant.
The bravery of the young saints would of made Rob Hunter proud and I imagine it may have impressed many of the Bath supporters smattered around the ground but it could only last so long. Firstly a terrific break from the excellent Ovens put through the former Cornish Pirates second row Scott Hobson over, converted again by the Tim Stimpson-esque Jack Cuthbert. Bath were 14 points up, Hunter's young Turks only had a Barry Everitt penalty to show for 20 minutes of hard work.
The blitzkrieg continued as half time approached. The hard work of Ovens was duly rewarded as he tracked Mike Stephenson as he attempted and failed to round Grant Anderson. He was however able to get a smart pass away to Ovens who skipped over to make it 19-3 on the cusp of the halftime oranges.
As soon as the second half began the heat was right back on. Endless battering had taken its toil on the Wandies. Still searching for their second wind, Jack Bental, a half time substitute, ploughed through the Wanderers defence. The game was out of sight as Cuthbert did the honours.
Credit to the young Turks, they made every effort to stand up to the hulking Bath pack around the park over the next fifteen minutes. The game broke up and became fragmented with the Wandies back three trying to make holes where possible. Will Harries, who came on to replace the back rower who seems to have grafted Grant Anderson's face on to his body, broke through excellently and very nearly had Laurie K and myself on our feet. Harries was felled by a hard and physical high tackle from Chris Goodman after he had broken through the line of now hard-hit weary forwards. Piercing the line with quick feet and a great step he showed Laurie what I knew from recent visits to Bedford. Will has got game. Throwing away a young man to become the potentially the new Shane Williams (one that can, y'know, catch and pass) seems foolhardy to me. One hopes that he will become a first team squad member and a sign a new deal at the club in the forthcoming weeks.
With typical saintly gusto the wanderers never gave in, but once more their line was breached this time Ovens chasing down a charged down kick. Keep an eye on this one guys, 6ft 2 " tall, very quick and very brave. It seems as though Bath have found a long-term replacement for Lipman from where I'm standing. From here on I the game was all but over. Still plenty of fight left in the Wandies.
The substitutions continued and the brave and hardworking Liam Neale left the field.
I feel I have to signal out Liam for special interest, though many would prefer long paragraphs of diatribe and hyperbole about Joe Ansbro and Grant Andersons return from injury, for me Liam personifies what Robs academy lads are all about. On this evening he was outgunned and he knew it as he left the field, he looked down and disappointed. For me he had no need to feel that way. In Rugby you are going to have good days and bad, win games and lose games. But Liam can look himself in the mirror, like many of his teammates and say "I gave 110%". Liam showed me lots of heart, just like the first time I watched this lad called Mark Hopley. A long way to go for him, but god damn it we love a hard worker...
The young turks showed lots of heart, lots of spirit. This was rewarded late on with a try for the busy little scrum half John Brake. Bath looked good. All credit to them they have some excellent young players coming through. The star turns like Catt and Goodman now look pretty much ready for the 1st team. I saw some of these guys playing for Newbury a few weeks ago. They took a beating, as many of these young lads need leadership, which was missing on that day. This time they were able to listen to some wise heads and remain focused.
So what did we learn? Brett Sharman can throw, my goodness can he throw. With Jimmy Cannon, Alex Rae and Phil Hoy to throw at it all looks good, it all looks fast and it all looks tidy. Jimmy Cannon hits hard. Very hard. One wonders if he doesn't have some of Chuck Norris's blood in his family. Joe looks quick, give him a few weeks to get some form to go with it. Grant Anderson now looks like, Scott Gray, Mark Easter, Mark Hopley, Juan Kruger, Jimmy Downey and Nacho. Seriously it's getting hard to tell them apart. Different coloured scrum hats or ears taped with different colours would be recommended for the assistance of supporters. (For those of you who don't get it, ey-chi-wah-wah! he's big!) Will Harries is very fast. Oh yeah, we knew that...
Today wasn't the Wanderers day. But be sure to note with heart and hard work and determination, the new generation will be beating down the doors of the 1st team any time soon.
15 Nick Greenhalgh
14 Grant Anderson
13 Joe Ansbro
12 Nils Mordt
11 Neil Starling
10 Barry Everitt
9 John Brake
1 Jon Vickers
2 Brett Sharman
3 Ben Broster
4 Matt Lord
5 James Cannon
6 Alex Rae
7 Liam Neale
8 Ben Lewitt
Replacements:
Alex Waller
Phil Hoy
John Brake
Alan Dickens
Will Harries
Ollie Storey
15. Jack Cuthbert
14. Michael Stephenson
13. Shontayne Hape
12. Shaun Berne
11. Rhys Crane
10. Robbie Kydd
9. Mike Baxter (c)
1. Nathan Catt
2. Rob Hawkins
3. Aaron Jarvis
4. Adrian Griffiths
5. Scott Hobson
6. Ed Jackson
7. Josh Ovens
8. Chris Goodman
Replacements:
Mark Lilley, Laurence Ovens, Jack Bentall, Mike Ward, Paul Roberts, Matt Spelman, Lee Audis
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:16:11:11:21 by Phil..
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
When Barf hit their straps they looked like a mini 1st XV but they did have more older heads than we did. Irrespective of the score the Wandies must have enjoyed getting a game and connsidering Jim had to protect the squad who might go to France it was a tidy performance. They stuck to their task very well and played to the game plan.
And dare I say it we didn't need to win.
And Bath was pure tropical compared to the GP game a few weeks ago. Rob and I went in Bermudas, shades and flip-flops.
Quote:Rob .......in Bermudas, shades and flip-flops.
Nurse - the screens!!
Good one Rob
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
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