By The Supporters
April 26 2002

On a sunsoaked Saturday not so long ago the Saints won at Bath. Heres what the supporters (and a few experts) thought of the well earned victory. Dorcan8
Just got back from holiday and wanted to say well-done lads for a good result. Shame about Newcastle winning today as that dropped us back into 6th in the table, but still a good result from the Wreck. The reports seem to say we only woke up in the second half - is that fair? Or is it the usual grudging acceptance from the press that the Saints won a match?

Rolf cartoon Club (from Bath)
Beat us hands down. Well done, and good luck in Europe next season.

Saintsby
Hi! All it was great to meet up with you all yesterday and put the faces to names etc! Hope the win completed a fab birthday for you Chris and that your head ain't sore this morning. Good chat etc, + banter with some Barfies. What a great bunch Saints supporters are + to crown it all we WON! COMMMMMEEEE ONNNNNNNN YOUUUUUUU SAINNNNNNNTTTTSS to TWICKERS< INFINITY + BEYOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

West Midlands Saint
They were rudderless. Balshaw brought more urgency at outside half but never looked threatening. The recycling of their ball was woefully slow (Budge played well) and our defence simply swallowed them up.

Saintsby
But I disagree slightly, yes they were rudderless but early on they threatened us a bit. I still think that we were far off the mark in certain areas. 1) Lineout- how long have we been saying this e.g. a blustery windy day and Wally keeps trying to throw long- result = too many lost balls at this set piece. 2) Turnover rate we got into some excellent field positions only to lose possession and how do you lose/get turned over in a drive? As we did in 2nd half? 3) Again on a windy day we seemed too keen to kick away possession, often to a Balshaw who I thought did look dangerous IF he had had the support. All that said we took our chances well and Bens presence in 2nd half settled things. Well done you Saints!

West Midlands Saint
Though Balshaw saw a lot of the ball - we did give it to him a lot - he never really looked like creating anything though he did a lot of lateral running and so looked busy. Every time he went for a break he was swallowed up by our ever-improving defence (Andy B, Grant and Budge were all over them - especially poor Ollie Berkley) I actually think we played to him (Balshaw) as a weakness as he so often isolated himself.

Bath was bound to come out 'all guns blazing' but we soaked them up and, in the second half, slipped up a gear when we needed to.

Lineouts apart the pack is growing and trying things that simply weren't considered pre Smudger. JP taking crash ball in the centre? Ollie is now a different player and the front row has developed to the point where Dan Richmond would probably be first choice. Recent progress has been impressive to say the least and, while turning over ball is still a worry, I am very excited about the future.

Highlight No 2: Dan Lyle showing Jorgy the outside and then realising he couldn't catch him. Priceless expression on his face and isn't it good to see how much it means to Jorgy?

Saintsby
I too think it is fabtastic to see the way players like Dan Richmond have come on and he has to be my first choice over Wally at the moment. I also think the likes of Robbie Morris, James Brooks etc deserve their place. The points I raised ref lineout etc were minor + if improved will make us unstoppable. ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!!! ETC ETC ETC

West Midlands Saint
I thought we had a 'canny' game plan that worked. Smudger has settled into the 'English' game remarkably quickly and like you, I am excited about the future.

It's just nice to be able to pick up on 'small' things rather than simply saying, "We were cr4p"

See you when we 'out think' Glaws.

COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW - Spoke to Ollie after the game - bloody nice bloke!

Steve 393
Something I noticed at recent games is that on attacking moves Daws is passing long, straight to JL who is standing flat, who then does the distributing.
Using the tail of the lineout is vital for this; otherwise the pass required from Dawson is just too long. It's risky and it demands pinpoint lineout throwing, but when it goes right the rewards are there and we look like a dangerous running side again. (Something we rarely did under Steele)

If the lineout throw went to 2 or 4, the only options are maul, kick or crash ball up the centre. (Things we often did under Steele) All dead slow and easily countered.

We are a side transformed under Smudger. I hope he keeps working them hard.

Balllagher
That's a good point. However, re the lineout throwing one thing that singles the unspokenones out from us is that they never consistently lose lineout ball. I.e. If the lose one on there own throw (which does happen) they will certainly win the next - even if it means relatively slower ball at the front (which if used properly it doesn't have to be of course).

I didn't go on Sat but it sounded like we were going for the speculative long throw too often.

West Midlands Saint
A good win without ever really having to do much.

Wally gave them tons of line out ball and Bath was up for the game but I don't recall seeing a side with so little flair or imagination. Voyce looked useful when he came on but he's the only one I could mention (sorry - Tindall certainly gave his all). The ground was deathly quiet, except for our corner. I don't know what it is about the Wreck but the place just exudes smugness and we received superior looks from just about everyone to whom we wished well for the rest of the season.

Andy B was, once again, immense and Danny Richmond looked class when he replaced Wally (whole Scottish front row before long?).

Highlight: Early in the first half, with the whistle already blown, a Bath boy wanted to play on. Oor Tam didn't agree and judo threw him to the ground. He was told off but it was worth it as it set the tone for the afternoon - "We're taking no nonsense"

We seem to be developing the art of winning without hitting top gear.

WELL DONE YOU SAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rich
Today's match sounded from the radio as if saints never really hit top gear but were still miles too good for a Bath outfit scrapping for their lives. Shame about the bonus point but a couple of years back we'd have taken that result every time!

Old Pete
This is simply great - bring on Glaws and by the looks of their display this pm should be a great match - COME ON YOU SAINTS.

Saintsby
I thought we were a tad scrappy at first and Larry seemed off form despite slotting a couple. Daws goes from strength to strength and our defence was good. But for me the game came alive when Dan the Man came on for Wally, Dan Richmond is deffo 1st choice at the moment for me! (No offence Wally but you need to settle down after International duty) Ben's appearance after the break also added that extra spark; he is such a good player at the top of his form! Finally Jorgy's try was superb! Not 'soft' just dynamic thinking what a player he is turning into! Great day! Bring on Glaws. COMMMMMMMEEE ONNNNNNNN YOUUUUUUU SAINNNNNNNTTTTTTSSSS!!!

Stockers
Great performance esp. second half, although our defence was awesome. Who needs an old rugby league player for defence?? Well Mr Handley?

Our " old rugby league player" took his try superbly, outthinking and then outrunning Dan Lyle...then his salute to the fans on the terracing as he wheeled away from the in goal area.... marvellous! Top try Jorgy!

The other two tries were first class too with Daws making the space and drawing the defenders AND keeping the ball available for Archie's run in. Richmond?.....marvellous! Sitting behind the goal as Dan charged to the line, running straight and jinking around the defence, was a really fantastic sight!

Other good things....JL's defensive work as well as his linking in attack, the back row boys, Daws generally.....oh to hell....every man in Gold Black and Green!

Bad things.... line out throwing! Still a big worry.

It would be a shame if Barf were to go down 'cos it is a nice place to go although the Wreck, with most of the supporters out in the open, is not the sort of stadium needed for 21st Century rugby. But you can get in free! Park in the leisure centre car park just behind the Hampton's stand, walk through and hey presto, you are inside the turnstiles! Might be a prob if you were asked for your ticket though but one could lurk about in the standing areas......

And finally, any ground without Guinness is below contempt!!

Isiah
Barf game - tatty first half (from both sides), great second half (from Saints perspective), top performance from Hurricane Blowers although Archie gets a close second, Balsh awarded official Barf MOTM at stand off (which shows how hard up they are, although he's played worse before now), large exodus of blue-shirted ones prior to the final whistle to the tune of "Are you Bedford in disguise" (and Jorgy really rubbing it in with another try)...great day out, really....O, and Barf fans telling me how good Ben and Archie are and how they thought Barf would get relegated; now that WAS something special.

Chris
Said it all pretty much in the match report but at the end of the day even not playing in top gear, in the end, we were far too good for Bath. At the start of this season, nobody would have placed money on us doing the double over Bath. What a difference a coach makes!!!

PS: It was Murphy's in the ground, didn't try the pies but the programme was the best away one so far this season (in which they said Smudger has the permission to sign three world class players over the summer).

Isiah
Yeah, Chris, the most impressive thing at Barf WAS the programme; read mine cover to cover yesterday [gloating] and decided it was a quality production, better than ours, dare I say (AND no Mr Prawn Sandwich inside).

A touch ironic too, I thought, with the hotline number for ZC tickets on the front; "you have to be in it to win it"!

Saint Colin
I went to Barf on Saturday - what an excellent result - seeing we didn't play all that well - good in parts especially the replacements in the 2nd half but none the less an outstanding win bearing in mind our only other win down there in 25 years. I went a year ago on 6th January (Wife's birthday treat) only to be stuffed 50+ points to 6 I recall.
A comment about the "wreck" - AWFUL, spent £23 (x2)for our seats in the West stand out in the open, Scoreboard didn't work, their supporters chanting rubbish about their own team, wouldn't do at FG we are REAL supporters - thru thick & thin.

Thank you, SAINTS - a pleasure to be with such a crowd of supporters - Not to forget Uncle Keith and TEAM for giving such pleasure to so many......
I am proud to be a SAINT - The future looks very promising for us with the New Stands and team performances - WE will only get better - "I have a dream !!!"

Marlowes
Well, I and my wallet have finally recovered from an "interesting" trip to Aqua Sulis at the weekend. Had a great time, shared our hotel with Mr & Mrs Red_Saint 150 yards to the Wreck (and what a). Seat at top end of east stand v expensive, some v stand-offish barf "supporters" (Don't Look now Doris, but these visitors Shout and SING!! - and they keep asking for Guinness)

Some marvellous supporters, they seemed to be the realists, wished us the best, and bemoaned the poor way in which Bath has embraced (or not) the professional era. All these fans wanted Jack Rowell back. - Who asked about Pies? Worst Pasties I've had, repeated on me till Sunday (oops Freudian typing), and I threw half of it away.

Mrs M enjoyed the good restaurants, culture, shops etc. I enjoyed Boaters, and oh I nearly forgot - the GAME. Jorgy gets better and better, Daws seems to control the game much better now he's indulging less in the ref-link. Sorry I missed the Birthday Bash Chris, I settled into Boaters at about 11:30 and it was so nice on the terrace, I couldn't be ar##d to move!. Maybe we'll meet at the Park Rangers mausoleum when we go there.
Carlos
Had a great time in Bath. What a great result, we had seats out in the open and I was a bit worried. But in the end we had an excellent view of the game. The last two tries from Richmond and Jorgensen were brilliant. I was going to give Jorgensen man of the match just for his try but his name isn't on the list. Lots of good performances so it's not that easy this week. Anyway four more points which really helps us in the league. The last 5 games aren't easy with away trips to Bristol and Wasps and home games against an inform Gloucester and Newcastle and Saracens both bent on revenge. How many points can we expect to get out of these games? 10??

And the experts………

Eddie Butler-The Observer
Dan Richmond, one with a big future, went over, and Peter Jorgensen finally skinned Dan Lyle on the wide outside to make the scoreline even uglier for the home team. The scoreboard - not that the old machine in the corner of the Rec was working - can still make indecent reading, but who would have thought that it would Bath who can no longer bear to stare at it?

Owen Slot-Telegraph
THE SCOREBOARD here at Bath was broken yesterday, though it remains unclear whether this was simply mechanical failure or some handywork from locals fed up with seeing the scores ticking over in the wrong direction.

Tim Glover-Independent
Take a team worried about relegation, opponents chasing a Heineken Cup place, a holiday crowd on a cracking Spring day, sit back - and despair. The charitable view is that the tension of the occasion got to them but at least Northampton, after a truly dreadful first half, played some rugby in the second.

BBC
Bath were still in contention at half-time, trailing just 6-3, but had no answer once Northampton turned on the style.
Budge Pountney in the Chron
"We just want to keep going on and improving."

"We knew that Bath had targeted us to win this game - it was a must-win for them and a must-win for us,"
"I am just really pleased for the team, it was a tremendous effort in the second half."

"We were a bit ragged in the first half, but our scrambling defence kept us in it. We are beginning to work as a team a little bit more now."