By Chris G
December 16 2002

Well this was, for the most part, the definitive 'Hats on Wheels' game. For twenty sublime minutes the Saints played the brand of rugby that coach Wayne 'Smudger' Smith aspires too as they took Cardiff apart both in the tight but increasingly in the loose in a classic display of running rugby. The Saints now sit at the head of Pool Six of the Heineken Cup with their destiny in their own hands after this four try display left the Welsh side down and out, and in the process, only adding to the non-traditionalist calls over the border for provincial rugby.

However the score did not reflect the true nature of the game. It could and should have been much, much worse for Cardiff. In truth they were let off the hook by a Saints side so in command they could well have racked up double the score but with the game all but over after the first quarter it must have been hard at times for the team to keep concentration and composure. It would be churlish though to reflect on this as the Saints won in true style for the first time in Cardiff since 1969.

And so boys and girls to the action........

The Saints from the off laid their cards firmly on the table making their intention clear by getting the ball deep into Cardiff territory and firing it out to the wings Big Ben Cohen and Golden Oriol Ripol whenever possible.

Cardiff were clearly stunned and on the back foot from the first foray as they had no answer to an attack that changed point of direction and aspect at will. The Blue n Blacks infringed early on in an attempt to stem the tide (the word Canute comes to mind) and Larry slotted over the early kick for a three nil lead.

From the restart the Saints were straight back probing the home defence along the twenty-two line. Ben Cohen and Nick Beal combined to prise open the gap which Budge Pountney took advantage of. When Budge was held up Tom Smith took up the charge from ten metres out.

Rampaging like a hyperactive buffalo on Sunny Delight, (Bill McLaren would be proud of me) Wee Tam burst though half a dozen tackles, and threw in a sidestep (or so he said) before bullocking over the line for the score. If this is how he plays after being dropped for missing a team meeting, perhaps someone should hide that team notice board every other week.

Larry converted for a 10-0 lead with barely five minutes on the clock and despite a minor insurgence by Cardiff (about as far as they got all afternoon) the Saints were soon back for another slice of try pie.

From a ruck on the halfway line Cardiff's Welsh international prop Peter Rodgers, or Rita Podgers as the home crowd affectionately call him, moved into the scrumhalf's shoes and fired off a pass that almost made Austin Healey look like a fly half. In the muddle that ensued Long John Leslie picked the ball up and sprinted clear offloading to his centre partner, the hugely impressive youngster Chris Hyndman. 'Handyman' drew the cover then switched inside with a pass that sent Hurricane Blowers off on a diagonal run for a try in the corner.

Cardiff winger Anthony Sullivan, son of the legendary Clive Sullivan, did his best to stop the marauding All Black but to no avail. To Sullivan's credit his attempt was clean and in the spirit of the game, the knee in Blowers back from a rather more illustrious failure and the ball thrown fully in Steve Williams face, which needed treatment was not, but it only added to Saints resolve to put Cardiff to the sword.

The conversion with only a dozen or so minutes gone gave the Saints a 17-0 cushion and in all probability the game was over as a contest but the Saints are aware that the group could still end with them, Biarritz and Ulster level on points so tries scored could be the decider and they went on the hunt for more.

For the ensuing minutes though lady luck had run out on them as very slight, well to my one eye, forward passes and 'greasy ball' knockons helped keep the Saints wolf from the Cardiff door.

Then however a bit of inspired play from one current and one ex (for how long?) England player broke the stalemate once again.

A finely weighted cross-field kick from Larry, who once again was in sublime international class form, was picked off his bootstraps by an isolated Ben Cohen on the far wing. Given that Saints try this ploy week in week out it was surprising the room Big Ben was given. Cardiff clearly had not done their homework.

The defence thought Kingsthorpe's Finest was heading for the corner and moved to cover but Ben just took a lungful of air upped a gear or two and streaked to the line on a turbocharged diagonal run to set down under the posts.

The conversion gave Saints a 24-0 half time lead but there was still time for referee Mr Jutge to send Rob Hunter to the bin after a perceived infringement close to the Saints line. It made no odds. Even against a seven-man scrum, Cardiff despite dominating in power contrived to a hash of three clear opportunities. It just wasn't their day

The second half started with Cardiff coming out the blocks looking to make advantage of Rob's absence but their liaison with the Saints half was fleeting and soon normal service was resumed. The Saints again dominating territory but failing to find that final touch.

It took some front row power to show the way. That man again, Tom Smith again took up the charge after the Saints had worked their way deep into the home twenty-two. Cardiff were not going to allow the Scottish Lion a second

Gathering defenders as he went, three men finally held him short. Step forward Budgen the Bludgeon who appeared as if by magic (well not quite) on Tams shoulder to charge through three tackles for the fourth try without even the merest hint of an imaginary sidestep.

The conversion sealed the win and set up the game against Biarritz at the Gardens as crucial to both clubs progress. However on form it looks increasingly like Saints may well have to go to Ravenhill with the group still wide open. A win over Biarritz the previous week will see the Saints in a position where they cannot be overtaken on points, however it could well come down to those all elusive tries.

Having an advantage of four scores over Biarritz its all fingers crossed that the Welsh find some form in their two remaining games and do not capitulate either at home to Ulster or in the final game in the Basque country. Given this is the likely scenario it is all the more important these games kick off at the same time.

Now guess who has booked up everything for a Friday night in Belfast.........

But that's by the by so to quote my erstwhile colleague Rich, JOB DONE!!!

Come On You Saints!