Northampton Saints
MoTM: The HC Final
By Saint Tim
July 20 2011
Never have I thought the opening words to A tale of Two Cities penned by Charles Dickens back in 1859 more apt. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way” In ninety short minutes (including the break) I had the best of times followed closely by the worst, I had wisdom in saying to my fellow watchers at half time that there was a long way left (wisdom) – but I am not sure I meant it (foolishness), I believed we could win, I could only watch in incredulity as we collapsed, it was a season of light as the Saints shone only to be darkness as we came up short in successive weekends, we had the half of hope so quickly followed by the period of despair, all was to play for and so quickly nothing was left before us but the off season and at half time we weren’t going to heaven we were there only to tumble down so quickly. It was in many ways a cruel cruel end to a season which promised much but delivered nothing in terms of silverware.
Who was your biggest hero in the defeat to Leinster in the HC Final?
I am also reminded of Rudyard Kiplings words in the poem if: -
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same
Then you’ll be a man my son.*
I think that to our collective credit, players, club and supporters we did just that. We faced up to the Disaster that was the second half, we shook hands with players, officials and supporters of the opposition and we moved on.
So after my attempts at literary allusion what did I make of the game. Well I am not going to say too much as there were acres of newsprint and whatever you say for the electronic word written about the game. I can just sum it up by saying how immensely proud I was of the first half performance and how much respect I have for Leinster for the way they turned the game around. That was truly amazing.
I did feel if we could keep them out for about 15 minutes then they would begin to panic but we did not have the gas left in our tanks as they stepped up a gear. The turnover for what was in reality a fairly simple ruck that we conceded on our twenty two in the opening few minutes was the start. You could see the belief flood from one team to another in that one moment.
The Saints however will be back. We have not lost anyone of that team, another year of playing together and they will grow and hopefully be supported and pushed by the new guys.
So, who caught the eye?
There were really only two players that caught the eyes. Calum Clarke – an almost ever present in the pack was everywhere. Calum picked up over 14% of the votes.
The winner and his fourth win of the season was Ben Foden with over 58% of the votes. Ben scored a great try, it wasn’t easy it had to be scored, he stopped at least one try and at the end you could see how much it meant to him. This in many ways was the season that Ben really came of age, both in Saints colours and in the White (and whatever god awful colour they choose to play in next) of England. This win lifted Ben into second place overall for the season with four wins. Well done Ben and thanks for your efforts – now go and do some damage to the opposition in the World Cup.
Finally thanks to the 146 people who voted. Not quite the highest but a good turnout for us.
MoTM of 2010 – 2011
So the season is now complete and we can award the overall victory to Stephen Myler with five wins just ahead of Ben with four and then Brian, Roger and Digger on three wins each. I know Stephen has his detractors but you can say what you like as this man has effectively seen off Carlos Spencer and Shane Geraghty to make himself the first choice at number 10. Next season he has a new competitor for that spot and hopefully he will improve again.
Also as stated before my apologies to Bruce and Alex Waller for my slip up which say Bruce miss out on one win and it instead being awarded to Alex.
A Plea
Is there anything you would like me to add – or remove from this weekly piece? I really would like to receive some feedback if you would care to offer some and I will look to incorporate next season.
Full Result
Previous Winners
Vote History
Who wins?
Players Used
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Stumbleupon20/07/2011 17:37
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I said to Dad at half-time, "there's only one team that can come back from that first-half. Unfortunately, we are playing them."
I also said to the assembled throng "chez bruv" as the second-half started, "one way or another, there will be tears."
Hey-ho...
Interesting that the man who got so much stick on our board ended up winning overall........
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
“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
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Quote:Wee Jim
Agreed - most appreciated and I like all the material you add.
Hear, hear!
Tim thanks not just for bringing back memories of that sweet/bitter but proud day in Kerdiff but for all the work you put in to MOM. I and many others truly appreciate your efforts. THANK YOU!
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:07:26:10:05:54 by Bob Stainsby.
I have a piece in preparation looking back at the season. There are some interesting things such as Myler was the winner overall BUT he did not get the highest total number of votes over the season nor did he get the highest average number of votes per match played - indeed he was the fourth highest in that stat.
Can anyone guess who got the most votes and who else might have a higher average vote per game started that Stephen Myler?
Or will you all just wait for the article?
“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
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Ashton had the second highest votes last season - after Tiny. This year however Chris did not feature on the top 10 for votes. He did have the fifth highest number of matches where he started but failed to garner a single vote. The figures are quite surprising.
“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
The "Players Used" column is really useful and will be quite a political set of data for next season. If we are to avoid burnout at the very death, we have to rotate - as we all know. But it will be a tricky path to follow.
Like you, Tim, I hope to see more people vote, which gives the results a bit more reliability and validity. And as everyone else has said, please keep up the magnificent effort, which is greatly enjoyed and pondered over.
For info the player with the most votes isn't in the top five for appearances either.
“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
It was indeed Mr Dependable Roger Wilson who scored the most votes.
The vagaries of the first past the post system strikes again ;-)
“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
He certainly scores for consistency and dependability. Can't understand why he's not a fixture in the Irish international squad.
Thus you excluded Roger from the most votes :-) Slippery or what?
Article got pushed to the back burner this week - maybe next week.
“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
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