Northampton Saints
News: Saints (26) Send Irish's (20) Season Southwards
By Bonso
April 24 2011
What a scorcher yesterday was brilliant sunshine, a good band in the village and plentiful supplies of lager and AG. Oh and there was some rugby.
Aviva Premiership Round 20
London Irish v Northampton Saints
Saturday 23rd April 2011 KO 3pm
20- 26
Irish started brightly and Saints had to defend for most of the first quarter that yielded a missed penalty attempt a piece. Yet despite all of Irish’s possession they huffed and they puffed but couldn’t blow Saints house down. It was also becoming apparent that Saints were slightly sharper at the breakdown and noticeably had a distinct advantage at the scrum.
It was at the end of that first quarter that the magic happened; turnover ball in Saints 22 saw Jon Clarke break and fix Delon Armitage like a rabbit caught in the headlights with Digger running interference. Ashton who had started the move from the Mooj’s magic flick collected on the loop from Clarke and ghosted past the stranded Armitage to score in the corner. Myler then added the extras.
Finally Irish turned their possession into points with 2 Homer penalties and to be fair 6-7 after 30 minutes was a fair representation of a very cagey game. Myler stretched Saints lead after Casey had a very dull moment dragging down Dowson in the lineout.
Homer had an opportunity to reply after Daisy was pinged for driving over, but unfortunately for Irish the ball bounced the wrong way after hitting the post. It takes a lot of skill to do that.
On the stroke of half-time Irish infringed just outside their 22 up steps Myler to add the regulation 3.
The second half started in quite an entertaining fashion with both sides creating opportunities and as an added extra an exhibition of wrestling from Hodgeson on Dicko.
The pack were now asserting themselves but Irish held on by hook and by crook however there was a growing conviction in Saints ranks that more points would come and they duly did when Dickson was dragged back into a ruck in front of the posts. Myler kicked the penalty and it was 6-16.
Irish now had to start to go for it and they did with Armitage S only being denied by Ashton’s cover tackle.
Great footballing skills and a sharp mind saw Hartley hack on and collect feed Dickson who then passed on to Tiny. The ensuing ruck was efficient setting up Ashton for probably the easiest try of the season.
At 6-23 it was time to rest a few after all the game was won was it not.
It was not.
Irish started to play and we started to miss a few tackles resulting in an arm wrestle between both packs on the Saints line. From the resulting scrum Thorpe spun off the scrum to score under the posts. There was a possibility that the absence of Dickson was illegally caused. Homer adds the 2 and all of a sudden its game on, but no need to panic surely.
Ojo’s pace and some slick hands saw Mapasua in under the posts in majestic fashion. Homer adds the 2 and it now is officially squeaky bum time for Saints and supporters alike. 3 point game with 9 minutes to go.
An infringement at a Saints attacking lineout gave Saints some relief after the superb Myler kicked the 3. We all breathed a little easier.
Irish attacked again and good hands saw O’jo nearly in at the corner and I would suggest Armitage D might have played his last rugby for the domestic season after a sly punch to Mylers face. O’jo nearly crossed again but brilliant work from Ashton and Myler saved the day and the match was won.
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Stumbleupon24/04/2011 17:37
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Good report Bonso.
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Of all positions its the scrum half who can find it difficult to go flat out for 80 mins in a fast game on a hot day, hence a substitution there at the hour mark is no bad thing. Obviously don't know why, but it does not seem to be part of the coaches repertoire here at Saints. I suspect, though, it could well be Roberts' role next season.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
except stand in an offside position preventing a player contesting the ball
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