Saints By An Absolute Whisker!

Saracens 32 Northampton 34
Tetley Bitter Cup
Saturday January 29th 2000
Vicarage Road

Saracens fly-half Matt Leak missed a penalty in the
last minute to give Northampton a place in the last eight
of the Tetley's Bitter Cup after a thrilling encounter
at Vicarage Road.

New England recruit Ben Cohen had seconds earlier
scored what looked like a match-winning try before
Saracens hit back straight from the restart to
secure the penalty.

Leak had a further chance to steal a win with a drop
goal attempt but saw his kick flying narrowing
wide of the posts.

Saints, riding high in the Premiership and with a
place in the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup,
made a flying start with two tries inside six minutes.

Matt Dawson, confirmed as England captain for the
Six Nations opener against Ireland, sliced through
the Sarries midfield to create pressure in the
hosts' 22. After a period of sustained rucking the
home defence was left threadbare and hooker
Federico Mendez powered over in the corner.

Saracens responded immediately with a penalty
by Lacroix. But Saints were soon back on the attack.

Straight from the restart England fly-half Paul Grayson
found himself stranded wide on the left 10 metres
from the Saracens try line, he then flung a long pass
back in field to fullback Ali Hepher who spun the ball
out wide to where Saints had the numerical
advantage and centre Matt Allen had a simple run in.

Dawson and Lacroix then exchanged penalties
to leave the score at 13-6.

The Vicarage Road club, boosted by midweek victory
over Premiership leaders Gloucester, then forced
their way back into the game, spreading the
ball wide at every opportunity.

Their adventure paid dividends when a break from
Ryan Constable and some fine interplay with Rob
Thirlby on the right led to a ruck on Saints' five-yard
line. Prop David Flatman spotted a gap as Saints
rushed back to cover and surged over for the score.
Lacroix converted to level the scores 13-13.

A short pass from Lacroix to Richard Hill led to the
England's flanker breaking through the Northampton
defence with the try line in sight but a despairing
tackle from Cohen brought him down metres
from the line.

From the ensuing ruck Northampton infringed and
Lacroix kicked the resultant penalty to put Saracens
in front at the break.

Saracens refused to take their foot of the pedal in
the second half but some fierce Saints tackling
in their own 22 kept them at bay.

But it was the Saints who grabbed the first score.
They forced a line out deep inside Saracens territory
and replacement Steve Walter was driven
over the line.

Saracens then reclaimed the lead with
two penalties from Leak.

The lead then changed hands again when
Northampton's superiority up front was rewarded
with a try from Scotland's flanker Budge Pountney
after a period of sustained pressure. Dawson
converted to give them a five-point cushion.

The scrum half missed a golden opportunity to
extend Saints' lead, missing a straightforward
penalty.

Scotland's second row Scott Murray then got in on
the try-scoring act with 10 minutes remaining, driving
from the edge of a maul to score next to the post.
Leak converted then added another penalty
to give Saracens a 32-27 lead.

Then came Cohen's try which Dawson converted
to force further heartbreak on Saracens who yet
again fell to a narrow defeat in the dying minutes.


Scores: 0-5 Mendez try; 3-5 Lacroix pen; 3-10
Allen try; 6-10 Lacroix pen; 6-13 Dawson pen;
11-13 Flatman try; 13-13 Lacroix con; 16-13
Lacroix pen; 16-18 Walter try; 16-20 Dawson con;
19-20 Leek pen; 22-20 Leek pen; 22-25 Pountney
try; 22-27 Dawson con; 27-27 Murray try; 29-27
Leek con; 32-27 Leek pen; 32-32 Cohen try;
32-34 Dawson con.

Saracens: R Thirlby; R Constable, J Thomson
(B Johnston 3), K Sorrell, D O'Mahony; T Lacroix
(M Leek 44), M Powell; D Flatman, G Chuter, J White
(P Wallace 65), B Davison (K Chesney 25),
S Murray, R Hill, F Pienaar (captain)
(B Cole 55), T Diprose.

Northampton: A Hepher; J Sleightholme, A Bateman,
M Allen, B Cohen; P Grayson, M Dawson; G Pagel,
F Mendez (S Walter 44-53, 66), M Stewart
(M Scelzo 70), R Metcalfe (D Mackinnon 66),
J Phillips, T Rodber, B Pountney (S Holmes 72),
P Lam (cap).

Referee: S Walsh (New Zealand).

THE STATS

Played 16
Saracens Won 8 50.0%
Northampton Saints Won 8 50.0%
Drawn 0 0%
Biggest Win for Saracens 34 - 7 06 Sep 1998
Biggest Win for Saints 45 - 17 28 Apr 2001
Saracens top try scorer vs Saints Ryan Constable 3 tries
Saracens top points scorer vs Saints Michael Lynagh 41 points
Saints top try scorer vs Saracens Nick Beal 3 tries
Saints top points scorer vs Saracens Paul Grayson 118 points

Previous Meetings
27 Apr 2002 Saracens vs Saints 27 - 52 Franklin's Gardens
23 Sep 2001 Saracens vs Saints 25 - 20 Vicarage Road
28 Apr 2001 Saracens vs Saints 17 - 45 Franklin's Gardens
31 Mar 2001 Saracens vs Saints 14 - 25 Franklin's Gardens
03 Dec 2000 Saracens vs Saints 10 - 30 Vicarage Road
17 May 2000 Saracens vs Saints 29 - 24 Vicarage Road
09 Oct 1999 Saracens vs Saints 32 - 8 Franklin's Gardens
06 Feb 1999 Saracens vs Saints 21 - 18 Franklin's Gardens
06 Sep 1998 Saracens vs Saints 34 - 7 Vicarage Road
14 May 1998 Saracens vs Saints 43 - 20 Vicarage Road

HOW TO GET THERE

From the North
Exit M1 at Junction 5 and take third exit off roundabout, A4008 (Stephenson Way), signposted Watford Town Centre. Bear left on dual carriageway, by-passing the roundabout, towards Town Centre. At next roundabout follow signs to Town Centre. Immediately ahead is the Harlequin Centre. Stay in the middle lane of the three-lane carriageway on the ring road. After the second set of traffic lights (Watford High Street Station is on your left), move into the left-had lane and hear left at traffic lights to Stadium. Look for parking at Watford General Hospital, where limited spaces are available to non-season ticket holders, or alternatively, stay on the ring round and follow signs for the Gade car park. The Stadium is a ten minute walk. Exit car park at rear (away from shops), turn left, then right onto Upton Road. Turn left on to Cassio Road, cross at 3rd set of traffic lights and walk up Vicarage Road pedestrian precinct. The Stadium is approximately 300 metres on the left.

From the West
Exit M25 at Junction 19 and take third exit off roundabout, A411 (Hempstead Road), signposted Watford. Continue for approximately 2 miles and at roundabout go straight across, then follow signs to Rickmansworth (A412). We strongly recommend parking in the Gade car park, accessed via the first turning on your left, Rosslyn Road. (For pedestrian directions from Gade to Stadium, see above).

From the South
Exit M1 at Junction 5 and take first exit off roundabout, then as north.

From the East
Exit M25 at Junction 21A and then join the M1 Southbound (J6). Exit at Junction 5, then as North.

By rail:
Remember until December (at least) there are no trains between Bletchley and Watford and a bus service runs inbetween.
If you are taking the train, set off early.

AND FINALLY

The last word goes to WestMidsSaint

UNCLE BUCK!

Last season the Sarries were down in the dumps,
Deserted by sweet Lady Luck.
They called for the cavalry; "Help us!" they cried,
And who should turn up but Air Buck.

You remember Wayne Shelford, it weren't long ago
When he left there were thousands of mourners.
Just a shame, when you think, that the poor man's surname
Rhymes with a road from Pooh Corner.

Such a leader of men, he turned our team round
And memories make the heart throb
But never forget the Pilkington Cup:
He didn't quite finish the job

His exploits so fearsome and second to none
While donning the Black Green and Gold
But he left us too early, Cup Final to come
Yes, he left the poor Saints in the cold.

So Fez heads, enjoy him, and please make the most
Of successes and be of good cheer
'Cos sat'dee the Jimmies are coming to town
Wayne owes us - the Buck will stop here.


WMS

The great man owes us nothing but I couldn't think of another punchline.