By Chris G
November 6 2002

Right lets get this one out of the way quickly. In our second look back at previous East Midlands derbies it the corresponding fixture last season. It was the opening of 'Uncle Keiths Magnificent Erection' (Tetleys Stand to the uninitiated) but despite a half time lead the Saints let it slip. Saints implode to let Tigers steal the day......

By Saint On The Spot
Date: 14/10/2001

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The Saints fought tooth and nail in a lively first period to lead at the break but failed to capitalise on the advantage thereafter and allowed Tigers in to steal the day.

The Saints started well taking the game to the Tigers and Larry opened the scoring with an early penalty but as always seems the case in these games the ugly side (and i'm not talking about Darren Garforth) soon reared its head.

Dorian West was clearly seen to use the boot illegally but the touch judge, who looked remarkably like a Bavian Burgermeister, pointed out poor Graham Rowntree as the culprit. Referee Chris White duly sent Rowntree to the bin to be followed minutes later by Budge Pountney for enveloping Glenn Gelderbloom when the player appeared to be offside.

As the half was coming to an end it looked as though the Tigers were coming back into as they threatened the Saints line. First Little Austin, who did his best to endear himself to the Gordon Terrace, almost went over then Martin Johnson, who was later found to have a broken hand, fumbled what should have been a try scoring pass.

In the dying seconds again the Tigers with all guns blazing worked their way deep into the Saints 22 but a misjudged long pass from Andy Goode was sublimely intercepted by John Leslie. The 'Scot' gratefully received the gift, brushed off the floundering Neil Back and sprinted 70 metres for the score. The cheer almost brought the roof off Uncle Keiths Magnificent Erection.

Larry missed what looked like an easy conversion, a dark omen of what was to come......

The second half promised to see the Saints surge on for a famous victory but in a complete opposite of last weeks game against Glasgow instead of regrouping and and going on to win the game comfortably the self destruct button was well and truly pushed.

Errors from Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson and a wild bullet of a pass from James Brooks allowed the Tigers back in with tries from a very smug Little Austin and Rod Kafer and a drop from livewire Steve Booth.

Once in front there was no way the Tigers were going to surrender the lead and they happily sat back on the score to feed off of Saints numerous errors.

As the clock ran down the Saints tried to force the game more which ultimately was there undoing and a full five minutes from the end of the game it was clear that the only thought they had were of a bonus point. In this sadly they failed dismally too.

It was a sad end to what could and should have been a triumphant day. Clearly the Saints still have to find that mental edge which Leicester have profited from for several seasons. They must start putting teams to the sword when they are there for the taking. We saw a glimpse of it against Glasgow but it has to be a constant.
Leicester have it in abundance and much as it pains me to say perhaps we should start looking at what they are doing down the road for our inspiration.

There still appears to be little discipline or cohesion at times with players seemingly having their own individual gameplans which their team mates are not privy too. Nobody is saying that players should not try the odd 'trick' now and then but some of the things attempted yesterday were just plain daft.

If things do not change, and quickly before this season is lost before its begun, the call being made in certain quarters for changes in management will become a flood and Uncle Keith may be forced to make changes before he is sitting in a half empty Tetleys Stand.