Northampton Saints
News: A great day out spoiled Tigers 37 Saints 17
By Howlin'
May 26 2013
Life’s a piece of s**t when you look at it Life’s a laugh and death’s a joke it’s true When you’re chewing on life’s gristle Don’t grumble, give a whistle And always know the last laugh is on you And always look on the bright side of life…………........ He’s not the Messiah , he’s a very naughty boy !
Aviva Premiership Final
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Saturday 25th May 2013, Twickenham
KO 15:00
Whether you believe saying nasty words to sir deserves a life sentence or an award for honesty, I guess depends upon your own point of view. Already the “social media” has been awash with the self righteous and sanctimonious desperate to impose their views on the rest of us as usual. It’s a good job that the internet wasn’t around between the 15th and 18th centuries . If it had, over half the population of Europe would have been burned at the stake or hung as a witch due to the overwhelming evidence of those who know everything with such certainty.
My view is that if a player stands toe to toe with a referee and gives them a piece of their mind, then I think they probably do deserve a red card and a lengthy ban from the game to consider their options, even if I do still have the lingering doubt that past captains such as Budge Poutney, Martin Johnson and Paul O’Connell (oh yes definitely Paul O’Connell) have probably done just that without sanction.
But where there is doubt over whether the ire is directed at the official or another player then a red card appears harsh in the extreme. Certainly missing a lions tour will ensure that the punishment does not fit the crime. Sadly this fact didn’t enter Mr Barnes head. I doubt any logical thought did pass through his cortex as the decision appeared to me to be made in a fit of pique. A decision made from emotion rather than sound judgement. So why exactly did he think it was aimed at him ? Hmmm.
What I do find very sad is that we were all anticipating a cracking contest, one that would go down to the wire. Win or lose we wanted to leave the stadium proud to say “I was there that day”. Overall, prior to the final, the two great East Midlands rivals had locked horns on 227 previous occasions since they first met at Leicester's Belgrave Cricket & Cycle Ground on 6 November 1880, with the clubs sharing a nil-nil draw, the first of 19 draws. The other matches have ended with Leicester being victorious 126 times and Northampton 82. But amazingly their only previous clash at a neutral venue was in their sole meeting in a final – in last season's Anglo-Welsh Cup final at Worcester, where the Tigers won 26-14. The scene was set for one of the classic finals. Instead most people, including me will start by remembering a classic controversy.
So who exactly is Biggus Dickus ? Let’s examine some facts.
During the match Saints were awarded 13 lineouts of which Leicester stole three. Tigers were awarded 14 of which Saints stole three and one was not straight. So very even , and a good source of possession for both sides. In the game there were only six completed scrums , three on Saints ball , three on Tigers . Although one of Saints saw the ball squirt out and pounced upon for Kitchener’s second half try. So pretty even here.
Saints were awarded 5 penalties. Two in the first half and three in the second. Only one of these was in kicking range, however Dicko tapped and went for Burrell to show good hands for Myler’s try. Saints had no free kicks.
Tigers were awarded 14 penalties and 2 free kicks. 7 of the pens were within kicking range, 2 of these missed.
I find it quite extraordinary that in the entire match Tigers only conceded one penalty within kicking range and only two in their half. They surely must be one of the most disciplined teams in the premiership. Some of you may have a different point of view.
The match itself was still enthralling, although after the first sending off in a premiership final it was inevitable that a team of Tigers quality would eventually wear down 14 men and find the space to win the game. That it was 14 minutes from time before they finally broke away is to the immense credit of remaining players, including all those coming off the bench to stem the tide.
The match had appeared to be all over after only 8 minutes when Goneva’s break and Tigers smart offloading saw Morris go in for the first try of the afternoon. Once converted by Flood , Tigers were 10 points ahead and the side that has scored first in the final has gone onto win in six of the ten previous finals, the biggest "comeback” that any side has achieved is only three points.
But Saints mustered their forces and Myler’s try rekindled the supporter’s belief. Unfortunately he failed to convert. Then close to the break Foden went over for what surely completed the Saints comeback. But no. The TMO judged that his foot had touched the line in goal before the ball was grounded. I was hoping for a penalty for Kitchener’s high tackle, having seen many similar given in the past, but this was not even considered by the officials.
After half time the 14 men battled manfully.
Following Foden’s try,
unbelievably the 14 men managed to score again Once again Barnes attracted the anger of the Saints follower’s by going to the TMO for something that happened three feet away right in front of his nose.
Perhaps his eyesight is not as sharp as his hearing. Myler converted this one. Had he been successful with the other two Saints would have been back to 24-21 , a fact Westy appeared to be discussing with Jim at the time. Still they were only one score behind. Could it happen ?
No. Sadly, a very brave showing , but it was not to be. Tigers withstood the pressure and finally Tuilagi broke through Wood’s tackle attempt to put the match to bed. Goneva’s try put the icing on the cake following the inevitable interception as Saints desperately tried to play out of defence.
So well done Tigers. A brilliant display of attacking rugby. With nine consecutive premiership finals you still remain the template that we aspire to.
Whilst Wayne Barnes attends summer training courses to improve his communication skills, for Saints it is all change again. We say a fond farewell to those leaving and thank you for putting your bodies on the line for us.
We now look forward with anticipation to those who will join us to bolster the squad and join the core of players who have now been toughened and made wiser by their experience yesterday.
In my time watching Saints I have seen them win the sevens, the A league, the championship, the secondary domestic cup, the main domestic cup, the secondary European cup and the main European cup. The one competition that they have competed in that still alludes them is the premiership. Yesterday they came one step closer to that ambition. It doesn’t come by magic, or because supporters moan. It doesn’t come by all the words of wisdom from media commentators. It comes from hard graft every single day, fellowship and teamwork and sheer guts. Have a good rest guys you deserve it. Thank you for the joy and excitement you bring to this supporter. Yesterday was a fantastic day. The atmosphere, the camaraderie with fellow supporters from many different clubs and of course the beer, don’t forget the beer. I AM proud to say I was there. I am proud of your guts and your tenacity. We will be back next year. Oh yes, we will be back.
Jim Ponders the assertion that Howlin' will be back next year
TIMELINE
5mins TIGERS Pen Flood 3-0
8mins TIGERS Try Morris Con Flood 10-0
15mins SAINTS Try Myler 10-5
22mins TIGERS Miss pen B Youngs
32mins TIGERS Pen Ford 13-5
40mins TIGERS Miss pen Ford
40mins SAINTS Red Hartley
40mins TIGERS Pen Ford 16-5
HALF-TIME TIGERS 16 SAINTS 5
44mins SAINTS Try Foden 16-10
48mins TIGERS Try Kitchener 21-10
55mins TIGERS Pen Ford 24-10
57mins SAINTS Try Dickson Con Myler 24-17
67mins TIGERS Try Tuilagi 29-17
75mins TIGERS Try Goneva 34-17
80mins TIGERS Pen Ford 37-17
FULL-TIME TIGERS 34 SAINTS 17
Tom Wood Says:
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David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Nicely put and a lone voice worth listening to.
“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
And thanks for all your positivity throughout the season - it has always been extremely refreshing.
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Having watched the odd Super game, the line-outs there seem to be going the way of the scrums i.e. the thrower now gets away with a not straight as long as its reasonable, that trait is now coming into NH rugby as well, as was witnessed yesterday.
Nice work Malcolm and thanks again for the beer. Catch you sometime next season for a couple.
alive and well in Shrubbery Terrace
Great stuff, Malcolm. Enjoyable to read, hard though it is to do, after such a torrid day.
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*
After reading acres of utter dross on this board since Saturday (much of it from people who should know better), how refreshing it is to see a few actual facts included.
And yes, I agree we will be contenders again next year.
And an excellent response from Woody too, who must have been so disappointed after yet another stonking game from the back row.
And as for you,Eif..why didn't you write an article if you didn't approve of this one?Very mean spirited of you.
Bridesmaids no more.
No Eif, publishing the facts make one challenge one's pre conceptions based on an emotional assessment of one's impression of what was happening at the time. That is of course if one has an open mind and takes time to reflect.
Saint til I die
Seriously well written the report of the season!
Note to eds how about that? a reprt of the season cup?
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
I have a very good prize in mind for that
We need to meet over the summer and sort some things for next year
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
One other stat I think ESPN showed was the handling errors, I can't remember the figures but think that hurt you too despite some excellent handling for your tries and near tries.
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