By David Lowrence
May 25 2014

Well, George North got his wish as he wins his 1st piece of Silverware with Saints. St Marlowe, together with the Frooners (Friday Afternooners) gourmet tour, and the SSC coach travelling faithful, made his way to the Cardiff Arms park to watch a match that was so nearly ruined for the supporters by ERC - more below. and what a joyous result.....

Amlin Cup Final

Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints 

Cardiff Arms Park

Friday 23rd May 2014 KO 19:45

Bath 16 Saints 30

Gathered in the front car park at FG for the departure, the weather had turned a little chilly, and the travellers had donned an assortment of warmer wear to ensure no frostbite marred our 2nd final of the season. The weather, although a trifle damp had improved somewhat by the time the Saintly hordes arrived in the park at Cardiff and it was a well-fed and noisy crew that made its way to the Castle for a few pre match libations. We met and enjoyed the company of many supporters from around the six nations, beneficiaries of a crass administration that decided it was better to sell many tickets early as a loss leader for the Heineken Cup final than to allow a decent number for the Bath and Northampton faithful who had followed their clubs progress through these cups, only to find that at most they could get 1/4 of the number of tickets that would reflect their support. Farewell M Lux and your ERC fat amateurs, I trust that the new commotions administrators will observe, listen and learn.

So, the supporters were set the challenge of equalling the noise made in the other matches of these competitions. They rose to it and exceeded the expectations!

In the ground away to our left we spied and then heard the Toulon musical ensemble, which kept the spirits up when the game flagged (which to be fair was not often), and noisy and boisterous they were - many thanks.

The match started with Bath putting Saints under the sort of pressure we had seen at the Rec in April, and they very soon demonstrated that their pack is no pushover. The first half was a battle of penalties and two sides feeing their way, until a huge hit on Ken Pisi by Joseph gave Anthony Watson the opportunity to scoop up the loose ball and run the length of the field to score. - Cue howls of anguish from the GBG's. Under some severe pressure in the first half, Saints went in behind 13-6, an acknowledgement that this Bath side is

a) - Very good

And

b) - Well coached.

Saints, however have made a virtue of playing games of two halves and this was to prove no exception. Capitalising on the inexperience of Ford, Saints began to exert huge pressure and demonstrate why they finished 2nd in the league and have beaten Bath twice already this year. 

This was ably demonstrated when Corbisiero, making his first start since before Christmas, was sin-binned for a late tackle and Ford missed the ensuing penalty. In previous weeks Stephen Myler had been questioned by some for obeying the instructions of his captain to kick for the corner instead of ratcheting up the points. Tonight, however he used the kick at goal to deliver a master-class in cool headedness to the young Ford, in kicking a number of penalties as Saints drove hard at the Bath pack and line forcing transgressions and which probably made him feel all the worse and put Saints on top for the first time. This experience and class began to tell as Dowson touched down followed by Foden to complete a master class in 80-minute rugby (not sure about that phrase, except that the rugby was played in the latter half rather than the former as has been the case in previous matches). Myler missed the conversion, which was,by then, academic, and Saints ran off at no side as the last winners of the Amlin Cup.

Cue delight all round copious cheers and choruses of Wendy, a repairing to to the pub, and a long journey home to prepare to do it again next week!

Bath

15       Nick Abendanon

14       Semesa Rokoduguni

13       Jonathan Joseph

12       Ollie Devoto

11       Anthony Watson

10       George Ford

9         Micky Young

1         Paul James

2         Tom Dunn

3         David Wilson

4         Stuart Hooper

5         Dave Attwood

6         Carl Fearns

7         Francois Louw

8         Leroy Houston

Replacements

16       Eusebio Guinazu

17       Nathan Catt

18       Anthony Perenise                

19       Dom Day

20       Guy Mercer

21       Peter Stringer

22       Gavin Henson

23       Horacio Agulla                     

Northampton Saints

15       Ben Foden

14       Ken Pisi

13       George Pisi

12       Luther Burrell

11       George North

10       Stephen Myler

9         Lee Dickson

1         Alex Corbisiero                     

2         Mike Haywood

3         Tom Mercey

4         Samu Manoa

5         Courtney Lawes

6         Calum Clark

7         Tom Wood

8         Sam Dickinson

 Replacements

16       Ross McMillan

17       Alex Waller

18       Gareth Denman

19       Christian Day

20       Phil Dowson

21       Kahn Fotuali'i

22       James Wilson

23       Tom Stephenson

From the Guys who did it!

News: Saints get the last word on the Amlin Cup- Jim woz ere

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 25/05/2014 16:13

ComeOnYouSaints.com
25/05/2014 16:13

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:25:16:20:25 by St Marlowe.

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Saint Tim
25/05/2014 16:47

“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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desbralass
25/05/2014 16:59

Excellent report,David.

Bridesmaids no more.

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
25/05/2014 22:12

Very well writ, David.

Especially perceptive was your remark that Saints are a team that now play two halves. 80 minutes.

Come on Saints!

Bring on those Sarries!!


*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*

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ch saint
26/05/2014 00:26

Thanks for the review and for putting the interviews up. Tom Wood becomes more and more impressive as a leader.

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Bernie
26/05/2014 00:42

Good read and really liked the demolition of ERC.

Per Ardua Ad Astra

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