Northampton Saints
News: AP: Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Falcons - Preview
By Phil Hollis
October 28 2010
All eyes turn to Franklin's Gardens this weekend as Northampton Saints seek to consolidate their position at the top end of the Aviva Premiership. Newcastle Falcons are the visitors and COYSDC editor Phil Hollis looks ahead to the game...
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs. NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Saturday, 30th October 2010 – 2.30pm
FRANKLIN’S GARDENS
MATCH PREVIEW
When Old Father Time was making his rounds at the back end of 2008, Saints had played nine home games in all competitions, five of which kicked off at the Saints’ traditional kick-off time of 3pm on a Saturday. During the corresponding period last season, Northampton had again graced the Franklin’s Gardens turf nine times, four of which were at Saints’ publicly stated preferred kick-off time. Fast forward then to this season and what do we find? Well, by the time the Man With The Scythe starts stretching his bones this New Year’s Eve, Saints will have played eight times at FG and how many times will we have had the traditional 3pm Saturday? Just the once – Saturday, 2nd October against Exeter Chiefs.
At least this week we are getting pretty close but the constant changing of the schedule to please the broadcasters is really starting to grate. ESPN do do a fine job and they have an excellent Saturday lined-up if you like both shaped balls but why couldn’t the Saints game begin at 3pm and then the Manchester United Tottenham game start at 6pm rather than 5.30? Is it any wonder that there are murmurings among some season-ticket holders about the value of their ticket if they struggle to make Friday evenings, Sundays or daft o’clock Saturday? Just a season or so ago the “SOLD OUT” sign would have been long posted at the ticket office for almost every home match. Now I could probably pitch up Saturday morning and buy a ticket. Has chasing the money gone too far?
This week, at 2.30pm, Northampton Saints welcome Newcastle Falcons down from the frozen North in what is our last home Aviva Premiership fixture until the end of November. Falcons arrive in downbeat fashion after the heart-break of their last-minute defeat to Saracens last weekend. On the verge of a welcome and deserved victory at Kingston Park, Tim Ryan had what can only politely be described as a rush of blood to the head and gave away the daftest of penalties to hand the spoils to the visitors. Whilst Falcons coach Alan Tait was pragmatic in defeat, his heart must have dropped to the bottom of his boots as the final kick when over. The extra three points gained would have significantly closed the gap on the tenth-placed Chiefs but as it is Newcastle find themselves firmly rooted in the bottom two with just the winless Leeds below them.
So, what can we expect from the Falcons this weekend? The omens for the travelling supporter do not look good. For starters, Falcons have won just once in their last ten away encounters and that was back in April. However, they do have some “previous” at the Gardens, most notably in the corresponding fixture in the 2008/9 season when they pitched up to find the Saints fast asleep and promptly scored three tries in the first 11 minutes, taking Northampton’s then long unbeaten home record back home with them. This season Falcons have scored just nine tries in the Premiership, conceding thirteen whereas the home side enjoy a 17/8 split in their favour. Total points-wise, Newcastle have gained 101 but shipped 158 and this compares to the Green Black and Gold’s 159/100. The stats are of course only an indicator but they do lean toward a struggle for Falcons on Saturday. That’s not to say that they will be coming down the A1 just to make up the numbers. Half-backs Micky Young and Jimmy Gopperth must be respected, centre Luke Eves is defensively strong and 24 year-old winger Charlie Amesbury is deceptively quick and will cause problems given half a chance. In the forwards, captain Rob Vickers will provide a stern test for Brett Sharman at hooker and they have seasoned Scottish international Ally Hogg at number 8. Newcastle are not burdened by having players in the England Elite Player Squad but they are without the injured Jon Golding and Tane Tu’ipulotu, prop and centre respectively, both of whom would have strengthened the side considerably.
Talk of the EPS brings us to Saints. Confidence is high on the Weedon Road at present, Northampton having won seven out of eight matches in all competitions to date. Indeed, their comprehensive demolition of London Wasps at Adams Park on Sunday hopefully put down a marker of just what this team is capable of. Saints lose Chris Ashton, Ben Foden, Courtney Lawes and Dylan Hartley to England for the Autumn Internationals but this should not be seen as gloom and doom, more as an opportunity for others to step up to the mark and prove their value to the squad. Our kilted Saints Euan Murray and Joe Ansbro are available this week although the home side are likely to be without Bruce Reihana who continues to recuperate after finger surgery. Taking each of the England players in turn, expect to see Ansbro replace Ashton on the wing, youngster Greg Tonks to reprise his role at full-back in place of Foden and up front Brett Sharman is an able deputy to Hartley. Finally, we may see former Falcon Mark Sorenson taking Lawes’ place in the second-row.
POSSIBLE TEAMS
Greg Tonks 15 Alex Tait
Joe Ansbro 14 Luke Fielden
Jon Clarke 13 Gcobani Bobo
James Downey 12 Luke Eves
Paul Diggin 11 Charlie Amesbury
Stephen Myler 10 Jimmy Gopperth
Lee Dickson 9 Micky Young
Soane Tonga’huia 1 Kieran Brookes
Brett Sharman 2 Rob Vickers
Euan Murray 3 Tim Ryan
Mark Sorenson 4 Glen Townson
Christian Day 5 Tim Swinson
Phil Dowson 6 Mark Wilson
Tom Wood 7 Redford Pennycook
Roger Wilson 8 Ally Hogg
It’s hard to look past a Northampton Saints win this weekend but those who are expecting another “Wasps” are urged to err towards the side of caution. Newcastle, whilst not yet officially in a relegation dog-fight, will come to the Gardens with all guns blazing looking to repeat their upset of eighteen months ago and in doing so ignite their stuttering season. That said, I believe the boys in the Green, Black and Gold will prevail this Saturday and with a little to spare. Saints by 15.
Enjoy the game.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:28:15:08:57 by Phil..
Bring it on!
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
commmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmme onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn yewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaints
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
We have a coach full coming down in fancy dress and looking forward to it , always a good trip indeed at possibly the best ground in the premiership.
COME ON YOU SAINTS
Next?
"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it."
-- Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor 161-180 A.D.
Quote:Lowch
don't be suprised with an unexpected Falcons victory,
Don't worry - I wont be surprised.
But you are all welcome and we'll buy a few beers
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
There's always that worry that after such a great demonstartion at AP last week that we will relax and let Falcons get too much ball and sneak a win.
Lets hope I'm wrong.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
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