By From the Archives
November 21 2002

For the third visit to the Saints v Quins archive this week its the Gardens in September 2000. Not a lot has changed we still bemoaned refereeing decisions but in those pre 'hats on wheels' days it was all 'proverbial trains'. Choo chooooo.... Lammy Lays Down The Law To Spur Victory

Saints 27 Quins 20

By Saint On The Spot
Date: 7/9/2000

The Saints found the winning habit again last night, at Franklins Gardens, overcoming an early setback from a spirited Quins side, but eventually coming out winners by 27 points to 20. A try in each half from Scottish internationals Budge Pountney & Craig Moir secured the points.

The Saints started like the proverbial train, leaving the cobwebs of Saturday behind them and
the words of Captain Pat Lam ringing in their ears they straightaway threatened the Quins line leaving the visitors no choice but to infringe. Paul Grayson, who had a superb night, kicked the three points.

Now firmly in control, the Saints pushed forward but were caught flatfooted when possession was lost in midfield. Will Greenwood was set up by Paul Burke in the centre. Greenwod lost his tackler and sent a looping pass out to Ben Gollings who sprinted clear down the wing then kicked past Craig Moir for the try.
Burke converted then a minute later the ball was again lost in centre field. Greenwood found the Quins scrum half who darted in under the posts.
Despite minimal possession Quins suddenly found themselves eleven points up.
But the tide was well and truly about to turn!

Clearly more powerful up front the Saints set up a series of rolling mauls pushing deep into Quins territory. Finally after they could not be held up anymore, be it by by fair means or foul, Saints got their first try.
Budge Pountney went over from the third successive five metre lineout for the try after good work from Steve Brotherstone and Jon Phillips. Paul Grayson converted. 10-14.

Now pushing hard for the lead all the play was taking part in the visitors half. Twice the Saints came close to taking the lead but for the ball to be lost at crucial moments. Finally the defenders could hold back the Gold, Black n Green storm no longer and gave away a player to the bin and the penalties with which Larry kicked us into a 16-14 half time lead.

The second half was all Saints (there go those girls again!) apart from a few brief forays from the Quins, which with the help of some odd refereeing may have secured them a point for the draw.
But I digress. Back to the action.
Larry extended the lead with another penalty almost straight from the kick off.
Then again a long period of sustained attack on the Quins line culminated in Moirs try. The pack sent a charge almost under the visitor's posts and sucked in their defence. This left players out wide unmarked and the combination of back row, half back and three quarters combined to send full back Moir cruising over in the corner. 24-14

Now with the Saints firmly in control the Quins fought back. Although never threatening the Saints line, two long-range penalties from Burke cut the lead to four points.
Saints, realising the seriousness of the situation stepped up a gear and another penalty restored the seven-point gap and they appeared home & dry.

However referee Leyshon, whom I'm sure had this down as a score draw on his coupon, had other ideas. He gave a series of unbelievable decisions in the last minute that could have resulted in Quins grabbing a dramatic draw.
But in the end even he couldn't ignore a blatant knock on and he was forced to blow on a well-fought and deserved victory for the Saints.

All round a much better and more confident display from the Saints. Whatever Pat Lam said at the clear the air talks on Monday certainly did the trick. The team has come in for criticism for its early form from many quarters, including among others supporters (including this site), the press, and indeed some senior players and coaches have expressed their displeasure to the media themselves.

But last night looked as though it may be the new dawn. There was more urgency and direction in the play. Kelvin Todd & Steve Brotherstone were outstanding in the front row, Brotherstone finding his lineout jumper almost 100% of the time. The back row of Budge, Lammy and a fit again Grant Seely was all over the park. The halfbacks linked well with the three-quarters for whom Allan Bateman stood out.

An all round solid performance and some of the 'bigger' names are going to have an awful hard job getting their places back.
Whatever Lammy said on Monday the club should bottle it up and give the squad a dose before every game.
Come On You Saints!!!!

NORTHAMPTON: Craig Moir; Luca Martin (rep: Ben Cohen, 40min), Allan Bateman, Matt Allen, Jon Sleightholme; Paul Grayson, Dom Malone; Kelvin Todd, Steve Brotherstone, Matt Stewart, Andy Newman (rep: Rob Hunter, 83), Jon Phillips, Grant Seely, Budge Pountney, Pat Lam.

HARLEQUINS: M Mapletoft; N Greenstock (rep: R O'Neill, 70), W Greenwood, N Burrows, B Gollings; P Burke, P Richards; J Leonard, K Wood, B Starr (rep: J Dawson, 40), A Codling, A Jones, R Jenkins (sin-bin 39-49; rep: R Nias, 82), A Dawling, S White-Cooper (rep: A Alesbrook, 36).

Referee: S Leyshon