By David Lowrence
February 2 2005

The council depot behind Franklin’s Gardens has had a run on grit lately. The team has visited on a number of occasions, and helped themselves to bucketloads of this rare commodity. They will be there again this week before facing a Saracens side that visits with its collective tail up.

This is a “Must win” game for the team, and even more so for Budge and Grayse, as they face a board meeting next week to outline their future plans.

 

Saracens come off the back of a five pointer last Friday, in which their danger men of Vyvyan and Randell complemented a good team performance which roundly trounced Falcons. In addition, our visit to the Vicarage in October was an occasion which few of us care to remember, being one of our “nefarious nine” defeats. The fezheads are coming here expecting to see their team win, and after the last two results their expectation is understandable.

 

This is my first preview, and as a virgin, I thought I would phone a few experts to get some predictions. Large (who used to be a closet Saint) was very confident, expecting the camel riders to beat Saints by at least a score. I do hope pride goeth before a fall!

 

Talking to a spectator at the aforesaid Falcons match, he was awed by the spectacle, and concerned that they could do the same to Saints. Another Saints supporter was sure that we have turned a corner and we would either win by three, or a cricket score. The “pundits” have Saracens by three. So, the lesson is, don’t ask anyone else for advice, they are as confused as the writer!

 

So what does all this mean? It IS a” Must Win” match; it WILL be close; but lets get real here. This is Saracens!  They have never done the double over Saints, We should win this, and all the foregoing is just a matter of nerves. So what if they have a new coaching team – So do Saints!

 

The team was announced today, and gives home debut starts to Paul Diggins (well deserved after his performance against Sale last week) and Neil Starling, playing truant from the 7’s. With the loss of players to international duty (and if Ben warms his buttocks on the bench all afternoon there will be some unhappy bunnies in the Gardens), and the welcome return of senior players, the team is:

 

15 BRUCE REIHANA

14 Wylie Human

13 Chris Hyndman

12 Neil Starling

11 Paul Diggin

10 Shane Drahm

9 Johnny Howard

1 Simon Emms

2 Dan Richmond

3 Chris Budgen

4 SELBORNE BOOME

5 Matt Lord

6 CORNE KRIGE (capt)

7 Darren Fox

8 ANDREW BLOWERS

Replacements from: Johan van Wyk, Brett Sturgess, ROBBIE MORRIS, Damien Browne, Grant Seely, Mark Soden, Ben Jones, PAUL GRAYSON, Mark Tucker and John Rudd

 

This is a good, strong side, and with Mr Lander (who ran well here in firm conditions last time out) in the liquorice allsorts shirt, indicates an exciting match. (Provided we don’t display our feelings about him until after no side!). Hopefully the team have had some additional coaching this week on how to play the ref.

 

At the time of writing, Steve Diamond has not announced his squad, but obviously has concerns in the back row, as Simon Taylor has been borrowed from Embra for a whole week. (aah! just for us - how sweet!) While it is good to see him recover from such a nasty injury, let’s hope this little ploy backfires and Si is ring rusty! He’ll certainly find this match a step up from the Celtic League.

 

Saracens have begun to play well under Diamond, but there are some significant weaknesses. The aforementioned back row, a lack of quick ball, and they are not the best of performers at the Gardens.

 

Saints will be fired up, if the passing game that emerged at Edgeley Park last week continues to develop, it will be a real problem for the visitors, and with a number of players back on form, I agree with our “Man in the Stands”  (in the Chron) that Saints will win. To quote one of my experts above: “Saints are about to open a sixpack of whuppass for someone”. That someone will be our friends from Watford.

 

Saints by 15 (after a cracking match)

 

 

St Marlowe