By Rich on the Spot
August 25 2002

Finally we have some rugby to talk about. It was marvellous to be back at the Gardens yesterday renewing old acquaintances and waving goodbye to the summer. The Churches stand is not yet complete so a respectable but reduced crowd of 7000 saw an entertaining 33 all draw. There was a great atmosphere around the ground unrecognisable from that of just two seasons ago.The game itself was highly entertaining even if it lacked intensity at times.

Wayne Smith took his usual seat in the South stand to warm applause and the stage was set for the first home game of the season.

Into the game and it was the French who came out ‘like hats on wheels’ but solid defending denied SF the points.

Seven minutes in saw strong running from Beal and poor tackling by SF yield the first home try of the season. Larry the boot stepped up and kicked the conversion and it was business as usual at the Gardens.

But SF are a very classy outfit and they were never going to roll over and die for their hosts. They scored a powerful forwards try on 15 minutes through hooker Mathieu Blin. The try was converted by Jerome Fillol to level the scores.

The next try has been two years in the waiting and the reception couldn’t have been louder. The begloved Matt Dawson took advantage of a SF knock on to release former England winger Jon Sleightholme. He showed he still has the pace and class to round his man and finish well. Grayson once again converted the try and the Saints were up 14-7.

This game was, as one C block wit commented, a bit Leslie Phillips (Ding-Dong) and Stade Francais once more levelled the scores through a converted try by their full back Nani Corletto.

SF could have gone into the break ahead following an interception again by Corletto. It was Beal to the rescue as he chased down his opposite number and forced the knock on. This was vintage Nick Beal, as he looked very sharp all afternoon. Beal is obviuosly not going to step aside and let Reihana have his jersey. So there is going to be good competition for places when the New Zealander arrives in November.

At half time both coaches rang the changes but it was SF who came out firing. They scored good tries through Corletto on 42 minutes and Tabacco on 50 minutes. Suddenly the score was 14-26.

In the past this sort of set back would have thrown Saints teams, but this is the Wayne Smith era and they were having none of it.

On 52 minutes new boy Oriol ‘raspberry’ Ripol showed Saints fans, exactly why the pocket-sized winger has come to Northampton. He’s quick, no he’s blistering and his intelligent arcing run to the line kept him well clear of any would be tacklers. The crowd have taken instantly to the Spanish international and the ‘Oles’ rang around the terrace.

After the starting back three had all got tries the forwards started to feel it was their turn. With play more typical of the Saints we know and love they forced the issue with Budge Pountney and the returning Simon Hepher to the fore. Motor mouth referee Tony Spreadbury had no option but to award the penalty try as the SF defence persistently offended to stop the drive. 28-26.

On 60 minutes the supposedly injured Ben Cohen entered the game. He showed no signs of the reported groin strain as he scored the Saints 5th try on 70 minutes. The build up saw a clever chip from England under 19 fly half Ben Russell and a good take from Mark Tucker the former England U21 captain. Kingsthorpe’s finest got his usual reception but ‘golden balls’ Russell was unable to emulate his mentor Grayson and the conversion was badly mis-hit.

In the dying moments SF replacement winger Brian Liebenberg snatched a try, which Fillol successfully converted, and the match ended at 33 all.

The score was a fair reflection of a game played at good pace by two exceptionally fit looking teams. Saints lineout was typically problematic and their work around the fringes appeared less than fully committed. Some of the execution was sloppy but they did play with bags of width and pace and they are scoring tries.

My appetite is fully whetted. Roll on Friday and bring on the Sharks. Come on you Saints!