By Rich on the box
January 20 2003

On Friday night at a packed Ravenhill the Saints did enough in a hard fought but low quality encounter to enter the quarter final stages. Saints earn an away tie with Toulouse whilst Ulster are left to contemplate what might have been. Meanwhile BBC2 NI continue their obsession with the ballet!

This should have been a game of high excitement and daring do. Ulster’s only chance of qualifying for the last 8 was to win the game by four tries or by three tries and 26 points or more. Boy’s own stuff. Do or die. The chance to write their names into rugby folklore. It should but it wasn’t. The match was a damp squib. Both sides lack any ambition. Saints content to sit back and defend their advantage rather than go for a huge win and a home tie in the quarters. Ulster seem to have decided that defeating an English club was achievement enough for their season. A real shame especially as Munster and Biarritz showed them the way 24 hours later.

It wasn’t what the marvellous Ulster people deserved. Early reports from the travelling Saints fans are that they have had one of the best if not the best away trips ever and it was mostly due to the welcome they received in Belfast. I missed the trip and have to base my report on the gloriously biased BBC2 NI. This coverage has come into some considerable criticism on the messageboard but I have to say that when Auntie grants me the funds for BBC2 Northants we’ll cover matches in much the same way.

Before the kick off the Ulster captain Andy Ward led out team to the Ulster chant which sounds remarkably similar to Gloucester. He was accompanied by the mascot, his four-year-old son. Zack Ward was born on the very night in 1998 that Ulster beat Toulouse in the quarterfinals on their way to becoming the European champions. Dad Andy had to be substituted to go to the birth and was reportedly told by former RUC chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan to: "take my car"

To the game...

It would surprise many people's memory of events that Saints made their customary 'hats on wheels' start but they did! Williams took the kick off and then good driving play saw Saints over half way. Grayson dabbed a chip through, which was expertly gathered by Leslie. From the breakdown, Dawson fed the versatile Mark Connors in the stand off position, who like all good fly halves put a probing grubber kick behind the Ulster defence. With the chasers bearing down on him the Ulster full back Bryn Cunningham just made it to touch the ball down in goal. 22 drop out to Ulster with only 37 seconds gone. If only this had continued.

From the drop out Ulster secured the penalty. Ulster showed their hand with a good catch and then an impressive drive with Ward to the fore. Saints strayed offside and the prolific David Humphries stepped up for a shot at goal. He missed!
From the 22 dropouts Grayson kicked long. Humphries returned with the first of many testing Garryowens. Ulster re-gathered but to Northampton's relief were pinged for not releasing.

Saints first line out went forward from Connors. As the teams set for the first scrum 'come on you Saints' could be heard from the travelling fans. Unfortunately Saints recent scrummaging anxieties were visible in their over eagerness. Free kick to Ulster for engaging too early.

Ulster kicked forward for Ben Cohen to show all of his world-class skills. The world's No.1 ranked wing however delighted the home crowd by first fumbling the kick and then kicking out on the full. It's a Celtic obsession to kick an Englishmen when they're up and the lengths to which the television commentators’ ridiculed air Ben was irksome to say the least.
Yet another solid Ulster line out saw the robust centre Stewart make good yards. Saints defence stood firm though and the move was in danger of breaking down. The home forwards had other ideas though and powerfully took the ball forward. Once again the Saints were penalised and Humphries lined up a kickable penalty again he missed.

One reason for the poor kicking could have been Ulster playing into a stiff breeze. Beal demonstrated the advantage with a kick deep in his 22 that landed in the Ulster 22.

It was still all Ulster with Buzz Lightyear look-alike Jeremy Davidson dominating the lineout. Ulster were kicking the life out of the ball and one such punt led to a rare Saints attack. Cohen made hard yards as he so often does before the Saints spread the ball the width of the field through every backs hands. However Ulster's aggressive defence forced Grayson into trying the cross-field combo with Cohen. For once the ball did not go to hand and Humphries had a chance to break away. He hacked through but Wally was on hand to clear the danger.

Ulster were still on top but little mistakes were spoiling good possession. The match stats on 18 minutes showed Ulster with 59% territory and 66% possession. However Saints were lucky to clear their lines as the scrum was, as in recent weeks, alarmingly unsteady.

As Ulster continued to press, Saints were repeatedly offside. Referee Joel Dumé warned Northampton captain John Leslie that he had enough and the next offside would receive a yellow card. Humphries kicked the penalty to touch for a lineout from 5 metres. From the catch and drive Saints defended well and drove the Ulster maul back. Fearing the use it lose rule the home side dropped the ball for Doak whose Dawsonesque dart took play to inches from the Saints goal line. A hefty hint of obstruction saw a hole open at the ruck and left Grayson powerless to prevent the impressive McMillan dive over for the try. Humphries converted the debateable but, given the run of play, deserved try. 7-0 after 21 minutes.

Saints were sparked into life by this score and took the play back to Ulster. Rare poor set piece possession saw Ulster concede a lineout. Hunter claimed good ball to launch Cohen up to the 22. The forwards secured possession only for Connors to knock on. As Dumé blew for offside Ulster hooker Sexton land his knee into Connors back. The ensuing dust up was waved aside by the referee as six of one half a dozen of the other and the penalty stood. Grayson rediscovered his kicking boots to reduce the deficit. 7-3 after 26 minutes.

The BBC2NI commentary provided the next highlight. Steve Thompson tried desperately to keep a David Humphries kick on the field of play and ended up tumbling backwards in an ungainly rolly poly. So taken with his dance of the sugar plum fairy the duo commented: "not known for his ballerina skills" "when you're 6'2", 18 stones, and in the middle of an international front row you don't need to worry how you look in a tutu" (Mark H take note!)

On 36 minutes the stats told their own story as ball won in opponents 22 was 12 to Ulster and 1 to the Saints.
This story continued to half time with Ulster winning good ball, knocking on and Saints scrambling rubbish ball away or even worse being turned over at the scrum. Kempson, Best and Sexton clearly dominating Morris, Thompson and Smith. Again tight head appeared to be the problem area with Kempson getting right under Morris. For all their possession though Ulster only managed a missed drop goal before the half was done.

Half time stats courtesy of BBC2NI.

Ulster White Knights	7-3	Northampton Saints
19	Tackles	51
2	Missed Tackles	3
2	Off Loads	1
51	Passes Completed	27
10	Errors	11
3	Turn Overs	2
1	Penalties Conceded in own half	5

Into the second half and Cohen belies his international form once again with a fumbled catch and then a poor chip to release the impressive Andy Ward. The Ulster captain then handed off the England duo of Cohen and Thompson to take play back into the Saints 22. Doak chips on again but this time Cohen's up to it and launches Seeley on the counter. Play is taken on over half way by Leslie and Smith and Saints are awarded the scrum. It's no surprise when Ulster nick the ball and Humphries brilliantly kicks the ball to touch a metre from the Saints line. Ulster clearly hadn't watched the videos though as this was free ball for the Saints. In a carbon copy of last week against Biarritz a two-man line is called, Wally lobs clear over the back to Soden who advances from his own goal line.  The forwards drive on and Grayson clears. As coach Smith says: "simple things done well!"

Moments later Saints win a penalty that Grayson kicks to half way. Good lineout possession appears to have been wasted as John Leslie is caught on his own 10 metres line. The forwards tidied up and drove back over half way, the Dawson-Grayson hinge and bracket axis provides Cohen with a half chance that he took superbly. Whilst Thompson and Topping 'competed for space' Cohen made a monkey of Cunningham and raced away for the score. The commentators, surely fans of the Bolshoi, described the play: "he (Cohen) moves like the biggest ballet dancer in the world." Grayson converts and Saints unbelievably lead 7-10 after 47 minutes.

Ulster resumed normal business and powered back into the Saints 22, their handling hadn't changed and once again a knock on ruined the move. Connors cleared up more rubbish ball at the base of the scrum and Dawson cleared. The stats for ball won in opponents 22 was now 25-1 in Ulster's favour.

From the lineout Davidson once again takes quality ball and Ulster press on. Advantage is called but is unnecessary as Humphries nails a drop goal with ease that mocks his place kicking problems. 10-10 after 52 minutes.

Before a defensive lineout Budgen replaces Morris. Thompson throws to Williams and Grayson tries an up and under. The Ulstermen are more practised in the kick and chase arts and Cunningham takes the ball with ease. He is wrapped up by Cohen who steals the ball and forces it back his own way as the maul collapses. To the delight of the home crowd, Joel Dumé sees things differently and sin bins Cohen for handling on the floor. Humphries once again misses the kick at goal.

At Ulster’s next attack you guessed it they knocked on. Would Budgen shore up the creaking scrum? Erm..No the scrum wheels around and is turned over. However Ulster do not make the most of this opportunity either as McWhirter powers to the line they are brought back for obstruction. Penalty Saints. This match was nothing, if not consistent.

On 58 minutes a familiar faces are seen in the crowd. Yes its Chris the editor and the Wolverton posse. From the lineout saints drove out of trouble only to give the ball away. The combatative Stewart brought the ball back and Ulster swept the ball right. Thankfully Jorgy was on hand to put the dangerous Constable into touch. The stats that flash across the screen show time spent in opponents half is 79%-21% and possession is 54%-46% both in Ulster’s favour.

On 63 minutes Ulster are awarded yet another penalty for offside at the scrum, Humphries keeps up his 100% penalty strike rate with another miss. Before the kick Richmond replaces Thompson and Fitzpatrick replaces Best.

On 65 minutes Cohen re-enters the match to much booing, not very sporting but not unexpected either. The Saints fans respond with a clearly heard chorus of ‘Oh when the Saints’ (Joe joins in on the settee!) It was then Saints turn to have some of the play with good driving that takes them to the Ulster 22. Dumé pings Ulster and Grayson gives a kicking master-class. From the flight of the ball he appears to have caught the Humphries bug but the ball swerves with the wind to go through the posts and despite all other events Saints lead 10-13 with only 13 minutes to go.

From the restart Saints forwards keep the ball well but are unfortunately awarded the scrum! This inevitably wheeled through 90° and was turned over. This was the 4th such turnover and the match stats showed the turn over count to be 8-3 in Ulster’s favour. An impressive stat given that the home side had the lion’s share of the ball!!!

On 70 minutes Budgen’s cameo appearance ended, as he was yellow carded for deliberate offside, just before receiving his marching orders he managed to nearly decapitate Humphries. The latter offence was far more worthy of the sin bin.
Sleightholme replaced Brooks and Jon Phillips replaced Steve Williams as the penalty was kicked to the corner. Saint halted the catch and drive but then Ulster got a good secondary drive taking them close to a score. More good defence saw the ball go out to centre Stewart who was hammered by a Grayson-Leslie gang tackle forcing a scrum to the Saints. Another stat showed time spent in opponents half at 80%-20% in Ulster’s favour. How on earth were they losing?

Play became more and more frantic into the closing minutes and Soden produced his now trade mark lazy tackle around the throat of Humphries. Soden received his marching orders and the clearly dazed Humphries handed the kicking duties to Doak. He showed his senior the partner the way to level the score against 13 man Saints.

From the restart Saints could have stole the match as forward confusion allowed Saints free ball deep in the Ulster 22. Unfortunately JP could not gather the ball and the chance was lost.

It was then Saints turn to defend deep into injury time. Jorgy took a good mark and cleared but it wasn’t quite enough. Ulster took their 19th straight lineout and then released the tireless Stewart; he fed Ward who took play to the 22. From the ruck Humphries received quick ball that he coolly drop kicked through the posts. Ravenhill went bananas. Final score Ulster 16 Saints 13.

Ulster deserved the victory for their tight five superiority but also deserved not to qualify for their conservative approach. Saints in truth were never in danger and now face an extremely tough away quarterfinal in Toulouse. Perhaps one of the Saints players will have to do an ‘Andy Ward’ and borrow Uncle Keith’s helicopter. With Blowers, Pountney and Mattie Stewart back and with the inclusion of Reihana…who knows? You’ve gotta be in it to win it. Job done!