Northampton Saints
Saints hand Tigers a double treat in Halloween horror show
By Howlin'
November 2 2009
Whisper it softly but I have always had a grudging admiration for Tigers. In terms of consistency in the professional game they are surely the model that we aspire to be. Hardly ever away from the top four in the league and with a string of Heineken successes/
Guinness Premiership Round 7
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Saturday 31st October Welford Road KO 5:35pm
The strength of their squad and their resilience was surely to be tested to the limit tonight, missing six players away with England and another three that would have joined their colleagues on international duty had they not already joined Leicester's burgeoning injury list. Mind you Saints too needed to dig deep with four players away with England (hurrah), Kruger and Mujati both suspended (boo) and Bonarino, Murray and Lobbe all injured; both the cutting edge in attack and the stoicism of the tight five were to be in for a stern test at the home of the reigning league champions.
Saints enjoyed the better of the early exchanges as both sides looked for territory. Ashton and Reihana both making ground before the TMO ruled Myler's drop goal attempt to have drifted wide of the posts. The Saints supporters too were making their presence felt. They didn't have to wait long for their reward as Ashton, nearing his snake charming best, latched onto a steal by Myler stepped wide and intelligently found Christian Day steaming through on the inside. Try Saints, Myler converts 0-7. A great start. Could they build on it ?
Sadly from a Saints perspective however a mistake at a lineout gave Tigers their first decent possession in Saints half that led to a penalty and 3-7 on 9 mins. Unfortunately too, this became the story of the match as the penalty count ended up something like 15-5 in Tigers favour. Staunton did what Staunton does best and slotted them gratefully leading to 6-7 after 20 mins. Saints continued to play some good attacking rugby. Whilst the scrum was creaking the lineout did well, turning over a fair amount of ball. But then Amorosino shouted trick or treat and Myler's blunder gave him a seventy metre sprint to the line that Diggin could never quite run down. 13-7 Tigers. Tigers now exert pressure, through their rush defence and strength at the breakdown. Further penalties extend their lead to 19-7 going towards the break and Saints are starting to look ragged.
But they still try to impose their game plan and when the ball is eventually worked out to Bruce, he blasts and dances his way past two defenders and pops the ball up to Ashton who then demonstrates, even to the most cynical of detractors, why he has been getting the nod ahead of Digger . He stands up the Leicester fullback brilliantly and accelerates for the line. Myler's hit and miss with the boot continues and the score is 19-12 going into the break.
After a cagey start to the second half Saints start to make some ground but the handling mistakes and penalties continue allowing Tigers to maintain the pressure and gain most of the possession. The half remains scoreless however until after a long delay as Best floors Deacon for which I feel a citing could be on it's way. Tempers began to fray on 52 mins and despite Pearson's request to calm down (who incidentally I feel had a good game) , Best is then penalised for a charge on Castrogiavanni. Staunton kicks 22-12.
Easter comes on for Cannon and Saints begin to play their way back into contention gaining a rare penalty 22-15 on 59 mins. A break by Dowson then leads to another TMO referral as Dixon slides over. He also slid over the touchline too so no try and Ansbro joins the fray for Downey. Saints show some character continuing to play attacking rugby and another attack ends with Digger being bundled into touch.
Everett replaces the inconsistent Myler and Dickens comes on for Dixon. I also notice Vickers is on, presumably for Dreyer. But the story remains the same as yet another attack ends with a knock on. We enter the last ten minutes and Saints are now having the better of the play interrupted only by a Tigers maul that Saints manage to stop. But on 76 mins disaster strikes. Everett puts out a wide pass that is easily intercepted by Allen who strolls under the posts. Not only is this the game for Tigers but puts Saints out of bonus point range.
So final score 29-15 to Tigers and their unbeaten home record approaches a year in what I felt was a very entertaining match, although frustrating if you wear the gold black and green. Despite Saints problems in the scrum, I can't help feeling this was one that got away. Tigers were Tigers. Very well organised, massive defence at breakdowns and they exerted a lot of pressure through the tight five. It was however hard to see how they were going to score tries. I don't think Mallinder and West are going to be too happy with Myler and Everett showing them the way. Also far too many penalties given away and not enough composure in attack resulting in missed opportunities and handing possession over thus building the pressure. The lineout was very good, Bruce and Ashton provided a cutting edge in the absence of Geraghty and Foden and Tiny is really beginning to show in the loose , despite having been put through his paces at scrum time (albeit on the "wrong" side) At least we now have the Anglo Welsh to work on the problems without the pressure of league points. Unfortunately however we return to league action against Quins who yet again appear to be putting a run of poor form behind them just in time to play us ! We will need to improve a fair way if we are to work our way back into the top four.
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Apologies for the delay in posting - but although you sent it on Saturday, somehow it didn't show up as unread in the SSC Mailbox, so I missed it.
Also there would have been some great photos from Claire in here, but ONCE AGAIN the SN photo system is not working!
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Thanks, Howlin, for I have read so far.
I agree that our two tries were indeed beauties and it was great to see Ashton have the confidence to skin Hamilton on the outside.
Just a shame that we gave 14 points to Tiggs and undo so much good work in open play with poor execution of the crucial pass. Our discipline was poor too.
I think Jim and Co will NOT have been happy with the way we played most of the match, which we could have won.
Saints had the better backs on the day, Tigers the better front 5.
A good report. Thanks.
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