By Stockers
April 10 2005

Expectations that Saints might travel to Bath and steal a precious away win whilst Bath’s attention was focussed on next week’s Cup Final at Twickenham proved to be foolhardy in the extreme as a full strength Bath team took Saints apart in front of a capacity crowd at The Rec.

They say it isn’t over until the fat lady sings but she must be dusting off her copy of “Oh When the Saints Go Marching Down”  at this very moment. With other results, such as Leeds smashing Gloucester at Kingsholm, going against us as well, Saints are well and truly in the relegation mire once again. Only two wins out of the next two matches, against Newcastle (home) and Worcester (away) will be acceptable.

 

In a ground seemingly devoid of atmosphere ( not surprising given that half of the crowd seemed to be stag parties or disinterested neutrals on a weekend trip from somewhere else) the first half kicked off in sunny weather but with a stiff swirling breeze favouring Bath in the first half.

 

Shane Drahm and Olly Barkley exchanged penalties and a drop goal each to bring the score to 6-6 after 20 minutes. The only highlight in Saints play this far was a dazzling break upfield by Bruce Reihana which covered 60 metres but the move died despite some good interpassing between Emms and Thompson. Shane had looked as though his mind was on his move to Worcester already as he had two clearance kicks charged down by Bath in the first four minutes.

 

Earlier both Thompson and Beattie had gone off for “blood bin” treatment and whilst Wally was away, Saints lost 4 line outs on their own throw. Maybe it isn’t all the hookers fault after all! Steve Williams arrival as line out coach can’t come soon enough. Bath controlled this vital piece of play all day and indeed scored a superb try direct from line out ball stolen at a Saints throw when the play moved right along the Bath three quarter line and a mix up in defence between Cohen and Vilk let Higgins in to score near the posts.

 

Whether the try should have  happened was debatable as touch judge Lloyd Jackson ruled that Bruce was in touch when replays clearly show that he had kept the ball in play whilst running out of play himself. Not a good decision by the TJ and one which cost Saints 7 points.

 

This was Bath’s second try in 8 minutes as Bath attacked from a line out and, despite dogged defence from the visitors, Bath worked the ball left where they had a two man overlap, Maddock cruising in at the corner and Malone converting from wide out.

 

Half time score, 23-6 to Bath who looked a much stronger and cohesive outfit than Saints.

 

Saints returned from the break with the breeze in their favour but the scoreboard remained frozen for the first 20 minutes as neither side had the upper hand and Saints did start to gain some field position. Two penalties against Bath were kicked by Shane to bring the score to 23-12 after 22 minutes. That however seemed to act as a warning to Bath who stepped up a gear and started to regain control.

 

The game seemed to be heading for a conclusion on the basis of the half time score with Bath attacking on all fronts and Saints doing their best to defend their line until a crucial moment on 37 minutes played. Simon Emms was yellow carded for careless use of the head, (he is a prop after all!) which gave the even bigger advantage in the pack they needed to work a rolling maul over the Saints line and a try for the hard working Duncan Bell. The conversion by Malone was successful and the game finished at 30-12 to Bath.

 

Saints performance yesterday was characterised by some familiar problems. Failure to protect the ball at the base of the ruck and work it away quickly, total lack of control in the line out, lack of penetration from the backs who are still taking the ball standing still and in congested areas of the pitch and, when devoid of any other ideas in possession, kicking the ball away and seeing if the other lot might oblige by dropping it…..or something……….

 

Only  three players stood out for me in Saints shirts yesterday. Bruce was, as ever, a threat when counter attacking, Darren Fox was everywhere, carrying the ball forward and tackling like a demon and Lordy!

 

Good old Lordy. His haircut hasn’t sapped his strength nor determination. Towards the end of the game, he took a knock to the head and was obviously seeing stars. Played moved away and the physio hadn’t got to him. He got up, staggered about a bit, got shouted at by Ben to move, then realised that Bath were attacking in numbers on his part of the paddock, caught up the Bath back with the ball, tackled him to the ground, got another knock to the head but still stood up again groggily yet determined to keep working. True Saintsman. If only we had 15 with his guts on the field yesterday

 

Saints were outclassed in every department by Bath who deserved their victory and who seem to be hitting form with a full fit squad just at the right time to be challenging for the Championship and of course the Powergen Final next week.

 

Good luck to them for the rest of the season. Pray for Saints.

 

Jonathan Stockham