By From the Archives
September 27 2002

In the look back to the corresponding fixture last season between Sarries and Saints its back to a cold Sunday afternoon at Vicarage Road. Sarries edged it but for some poor finishing the Saints and Luca Martin in particular should have stole the day. SLIPSHOD SAINTS SIDTRACKED BY SPIRITED SARRIES

By Saint On The Spot
Date: 24/9/2001

For the third week in a row the Saints failed to turn overwhelming territory and pressure into points but this week it was not a bonus point that was lost but the game itself as the Saracens defence held firm at Vicarage Road on Sunday.


Sarries 25
Saints 20
Vicarage Road
Sunday September 23rd 2001
Zurich Premiership


The Saints were on the back foot from the off with Sarries south African flyhalf Luke Smith rattling off three quick penalties to give his side an early 9-0 lead before the visitors could catch their breath.

However the Saints were not out of the game for long with Paul Grayson kicking an early penalty in reply before All Black Andy Blowers picked up at the base of a scrum to send Ben Cohen over for the first try of the afternoon in the corner.

Larry converted and despite the Saints threatenening to add to their tally it was the home side who gained the upperhand when the Saints, just as they did at Gloucester on the first day of the season, leaked an unlucky 13 points in rapid succession.

Smith hit a penalty, a long range dropgoal and converted former Bedford winger Daragh O'Mahoneys try in the space of five minutes to leave the Saints floundering to go in at halftime at 22-10 down.

The second half was dominated by the Saints from the off with Smith only managing a single penalty to add to Sarries score in the whole of the second 40 minutes (well nearly 50, as the Saries gamemanship added time after time).

However despite the overwhelming amount of possession and territory the Saints failed time after time to add to their total.
On a clear five occasions they were over the Sarries line either to be held up or to lose the ball in the tackle, although there were questions as to why a penalty try was not awarded when Smith was despatched to the bin as the Saints bore down once again on the home line.

It soon became somewhat of a farce as overlap after overlap was ignored as players went for broke, indeed Luca Martin could, and should, have had a triple himself.

Finally with the clock ticking over Steve Thompson took it upon himself to gain the bonus point on offer as he finally broke the Sarries stranglehold and burst through the centre to score under the posts.

Larry converted to cut the deficit to five points to take the bonus point which should have been the maximum five on offer had the Saints taken just a couple of the clear cut opportunities given to them.

The Zurich takes a rest for a few weeks and now we focus on Europe but one thing is already crystal clear. Unless the team gains some self belief and starts to put away sides they dominate this will be one long hard cold season.


Perhaps its about time Uncle Keith hunted out that famous bottle of champagne and the axe he left in the changing room two seasons ago...........