By From the Archives
November 21 2002

In our last look back at previous Saints v Quins games in the run up to Saturdays game its back to the corresponding fixture last season. Just a few days after Bonfire Night the game started with fireworks and Matt Dawson became the fall guy. (Guy! geddit?......oh please yourself!) Saints come back from the dead to grab draw

By Chris G
Date: 11/11/2001

Another Jeckyl and Hyde display from the Saints but this time composure was regained and a stirling late fighting display allowed the team to fightback for a well earned draw. With promised changes on the horizon though things could be looking up.

After the traditional minutes silence and the laying of a wreath at the pitchside war memorial the game started in controversy with Quins intent on shaking off their 'fancy dans' tag by both fair means and foul.

With less than five minutes on the clock Quins had two players warming their heels in the bin after first Ace Tiatia was carded for punching before Bill Davison was to follow for an off the ball 'clearing out' of Matt Dawson.

Indeed Tony Diprose had said pre-match that Dawson was the player Quins were targetting but Davison took him at his word and, with a move straight out of WWF wrestling, floored the Saints scrumhalf at the first opportunity. The WWF is play acting though, Davisons action was a flagrant attempt to take out the oppositions major threat.

Davison spent ten minutes in the bin, Dawson ended up in hospital. Wheres the justice in that?
The new proposed citing system cannot come in soon enough.

However justice or not, the Saints failed to capitalise on playing against 13 men Quins as attack after attack petered out once the visitors line came into sight.

With Quins back to full strenghth they soon gained the upper but a steadfast Saints defence held them at bay until a long looping pass from Paul Burke found Ben Gollings who has a habit of scoring against the Saints. He didn't fail again this time and went over unopposed. Burke converted to send his side in at the break well in control at 10-3 up. An Ali Hepher penalty being the Saints only score.

Burke extended his sides lead with a second penalty early after the start of the second period but soon the Saints started to regain some composure and gradually gain the upperhand in territory and possession.

Again and again though attacks were repelled by the Quins defence or vital passes went astray with the line beckoning. Another Ali H penalty was all the Saints had to show for their efforts until another gear was found and inspired by Andy Blowers and Chris Budgen the lads powered forward once more.

From a breakdown on the left the ball was spun inside to a rampant Budgen who found Craig Moir coming off his wing in midfield. Andrew Blowers joined the attack and he and Moir drove deep into the visitors 22 sucking defenders in all the way.
When beaten back on the line a simple outside pass allowed Hepher to go over in the corner.

With the score at 11-13 and only minutes remaining the kick was vital but Hepher calmly slotted the ball over from the touchline to tie the scores.

The drama was not over yet though. A late Hepher penalty could have sealed a dramatic win for the Saints before a massive dropgoal attempt by Nick Beal from five metres in his own half drifted just wide. Had it gone over they would have been talking about it at the Gardens for years.

However it was not to be and with the referee blowing with the clock dead on 40 minutes the game was over just when the Saints were in the ascendandy.

At the end of the day a draw was probably a fair result. Both teams can rightfully claim a half each and the Saints at least in their late fightback showed the passion and drive is still there in abundance. All the new man in charge has to do is harness that for 80 minutes.

Sounds simple doesn't it.................

RESULT:
Northampton Saints 13 Harlequins 13

TEAMS:

Saints - Joe Shaw; Craig Moir, Peter Jorgensen, Mark Tucker, Nick Beal; Ali Hepher, Matt Dawson (capt) (Dom Malone 27); Kelvin Todd, Steve Thompson (Steve Brotherstone 62) Brett Sturgess (Chris Budgen 40), Phillips (Andy Newman 64), Rob Hunter , Andy Rennick, Andy Blowers, Mark Soden.


Harlequins - Mapletoft; Moore, Burrows, Greenstock, Gollings; Burke, Powell, Starr, Tiatia, Olver, Morgan (capt) (Diprose 70), Davison, White-Cooper, Sanderson, Winters.



SCORERS:

Saints:
Try: Hepher
Pens: Hepher (2)
Con: Hepher

Quins:
Try: Gollings
Pens: Burke (2)
Con: Burke

NAUGHTY BOYS:
Saints:
None


Quins:
Yellow: Tiatia, Davison.


REFEREE:
Dave Pearson

ATTENDANCE:
8667


WEATHER:
Frozzit!