Northampton Saints
News: Saints drive me to drink: Chiefs 30 v 9 Saints
By Howlin'
March 7 2011
The weekend starts at 9.30am in the Thomas a Beckett. Breakfasts courtesy of our convivial hosts Rich and Michelle is washed down (by some) with an early pint. The drinking starts early on a Saints away trip; they are not for the faint hearted, or weak of constitution or bladder !
Aviva Premiership Round 16
Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints
Sunday 6th March 2011
Sandy Park - KO 3pm
Food and drink are aplenty on the bus as we slowly make our
way down to Devon with a couple of toilet stops and plenty of banter, good
company and a couple of songs along the way. It’s a great reminder of what
rugby is all about. There will be a match at the end of all this but the
journey is more than half the fun. This weekend it was all the fun, the rugby,
sadly, became incidental.
Saturday afternoon and evening saw us visiting several local pubs of varying quality and early (ish) to bed for the main event on Sunday.
Matchday arrived with a trip to the “Rusty Bike” where we were joined around midday by the supporters on the SSC coaches. A hog roast had been arranged and the choice of real ales was good. Thanks again to Kay and Kerry for arranging a fantastic trip and thanks again to the staff at the Rusty Bike for being such great hosts. I can see the venue being targeted again in future. They even had past Saints games showing on a loop on a big screen, reminding us of when the team scored tries and won matches, which I thought was a nice touch. We decorated the place with Saints flags. The beer flowed , the hog roast was devoured, the sun came out. All was right with the world. It reminded me of the spirit of our trips in ND1. Such a shame for us the result was to be the exact opposite.
Well I guess I’d better mention the match itself. Before the game I had an idea of writing two versions. One for the glass half full kind of people and one for the doom mongers. Sadly there weren’t a lot of positives to take from this match and with it now being six league losses on the bounce, a glorious end to the season is looking less likely.
The first half, whilst not being particularly spectacular did see the saints exert a fair amount of control. They scored the larger number of penalties shared out by Mr Doyle and led 9-3 at half time. Neither team had really looked like breaching the try line but Saints came the closer. Had Myler possessed a greater turn of speed when intercepting and breaking through or someone could have tracked him in the manner of say, a Chris Ashton, then maybe, just maybe they would have done. But it was not to be.
There was some optimism amongst the support though. If we could keep them out and retain our shape we might sneak the so important win . But the penalties went Chiefs way after the break. The first two allowed Steenson to bring them level and wake up their supporters. The third pushed Saints back and the resulting lineout was driven and after a few pick and goes was finally dotted down in the corner by Hayes.
That really was game over. Chiefs grew in confidence and once the second try was scored by a powerful catch and subtle offload from their giant nine foot Fijian Australian winger the place was rocking and there was nowhere to hide for the team with the confidence and stuffing knocked out of them. To add insult to injury when the only bright light of the afternoon saw Geraghty carve through the entire Exeter team twice on a mazy run and his smart grubber through ended with Saints finally gaining territory. The fight to break the Chiefs line for that all important try was abruptly brought to an end when the ball was intercepted and a third try scored.
So another loss. I can imagine the grinding and gnashing of teeth this will have provoked. I hope it cheers you all up venting your spleens but as hard as you vent , it will make not one jot of difference. We instead chose to venture to the supporters bar and boogie to the live entertainment, enjoy some more beer in preparation for the long journey home. Well done Exeter. You have truly arrived in the premiership. You took advantage of a team on the slide by playing simple hard rugby. Chicken never seems to age ! As for Saints it’s back to the training ground. Next up Leeds. They will now be licking their lips. It is going to take a mighty effort to turn the tide.
As for us , we now have memories of another away trip. Where friends were made, drink was drunk and quiet thoughts will bring back a smile to the face. What goes on tour stays on tour but if you find me and buy me a pint, I might just explain how Kerry showed me to make it stiffer the more I drank and how Kay showed David how to shake it properly.
5mins SAINTS Pen Myler 0-3
9mins CHIEFS Pen Steenson 3-3
15mins SAINTS Pen Myler 3-6
18mins SAINTS Miss pen Myler
32mins CHIEFS Miss pen Steenson
40mins SAINTS Pen Myler 3-9
HALF-TIME CHIEFS 3 SAINTS 9
45mins CHIEFS Pen Steenson 6-9
50mins CHIEFS Pen Steenson 9-9
53mins CHIEFS Try Hayes Con Steenson 16-9
55mins CHIEFS Try Naqelevuki Con Steenson 23-9
67mins CHIEFS Try Johnson Con Steenson 30-9
80mins CHIEFS Yellow card Sestaret
FULL-TIME CHIEFS 30 SAINTS 9
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Stumbleupon07/03/2011 01:10
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:07:01:15:12 by St Marlowe.
Crackin tour thanks for your company and I echo the thanks to Kay & Kerry.Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
" As for us , we now have memories of another away trip. Where friends were made, drink was drunk and quiet thoughts will bring back a smile to the face. "
... Thats what Rugby is really all about - glad you were able to embrace it all.
Goes on tour stays on tour, I have to buy you several beers to keep you quiet, Malcolm!!
Well done to two lovely Ladies, Kay and Kerry, who worked hard to make our little excursion a delight!
Good account of a great weekend, pity about the Rugby, but as others have said, the Rugby sometmes is an aside to a weekend away.
My Wife was not too impressed in me being poured out of the bus, hey, a tour is a tour, but please don't tell her the truth !!
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