By Chris G
October 14 2002

On a cold wet Franklins Gardens afternoon the Saints warmed the hearts of the faithful as they snuffed out the potential threat of Ulster in this Heineken Cup group game. Late tries from Matt Dawson and Long John Leslie capped off a game that due to the conditions was a battle of the the boots. Despite the conditions it was the Saints in their now customary 'hats on wheels' style that drove the Irish side back in the early encounters.

Larry hit two of three early penalty attempts but in all truth if the Saints had stuck at it the could have been 15 points up at the quarter of an hour.
The conditions, a cold wind blowing sporadic showers about hampered what inroads the Saints were making and taking the three points was probably on reflection the right option.

It was not just the weather that was hampering the Saints. Ulster took full advantage of what can only be described as an inept display of refereeing to kill ball after ball. Indeed both the Irish No.8 and blindside spent so much of the game on our side of the ball that a couple of Gold Black n Green shirts should have been found for them.

Despite overwhelming possession and territory Ulster sniffed a chance and two quickfire pens from veteran David Humphreys, who later went off injured, brought the visitors back level.

Suddenly though realising the early good work had been undone the Saints roared back into life. Ben Cohen burst through the centre on a 40 metre charge only to be brought down on the twenty but Saints had their tails up and the forwards took the game by the scruff of the neck allowing Larry the platform to hit a further three penalties before the break.

The second half started with the Saints forwards again driving deep into the Ulster half but yet again the visitors were only too keen to get on the wrong side and kill any opportunity of a flowing game. To add insult to injury the hapless Mr Lambardi then sent Andy Blowers to the bin for trying to move the immovable prone Ulster backrow with some hefty but totally legal rucking.

That, later in the game Lambardi missed a blatant bringing down of Steve Williams in a lineout that could have caused serious injury only added to the home crowd's ire. Questions should really be asked about the ability of some nations referees to take charge of these games as clearly both the referee and his touch judges were out of their depth.

But back to the action. Although now down to 14 men it was Saints who scored next with yet another Larry penalty, his sixth of the game giving the home side the cushion from which their was no coming back for the visitors.

That score was soon wiped out though by Doak who hit a stormer of a kick from the half way line but the writing was on the wall for the Ulsterman as finally Lambardi remembered the offside law and dispatched Robbie Kempson to the bin.

The Saints upped a final gear for the last ten to at last ask close questions of the Ulster defence. First Matt Dawson, back to his sniping best, spotted the gap at the edge of a ruck and darted for the line from 10 metres out almost unopposed.

Minutes later John Leslie charged down a clearance kick which fell nicely for the new Brit to pounce (or not) on the ball. Larry rounded off the day with the last kick of the day to take his tally to 22.

Final score: Saints 32 Ulster 9

Although the conditions played a major part in proceedings the Saints must be pleased with the win and the way they snuffed out the potential Ulster threat as they stayed in command for virtually the whole 80 minutes.

Next week it's down to the Basque country and a table-topping clash with French champions Biarritz. The Saints travel out on a high but Biarritz in their own backyard is a totally different kettle of poisson. (or kettle of piscine if you Harvey Thorneycroft!).

See you there!