By Chris in the Vaults
June 3 2002

Well boys and girls that’s it for another season. Instead of another jolly jaunt to Twickers next week its the sun kissed beaches of the Maldives or Camber Sands instead for all those Gold, Black n Green inclined after the defeat at Bristols very own sun kissed inland beach on Saturday. It was maybe a game too far for the Saints as the patchwork Jimmies army travelled to Bristol in the hope of a quick return to HQ but at the end of the day the home side, who had a Heineken Cup place in sight just had the edge at the death of an entertaining game dominated by one man, Felipe Contepomi.

The Saints, playing in shorts that Dale Winton would blush at, started well with Larry having the better of early penalty exchanges with Contepomi putting Northampton ahead at 6-3. But then the Argentine upped a gear and after fine work by England youngster Christophers Contepomi hopped and skipped through a gap to run to an empty seat (one of many) in row eight of the stand behind the goal. Unfortunately for Saints he popped the ball down in the try area enroute.

The conversion gave Bristol a 10-5 lead but the Saints almost made amends straight away. Craig Moir with the tryline in site hesitated and was bundled into touch and the home side breathed again. The Saints though had the bit between their teeth and after the two flyhalves exchanged further penalties the Saints finally got their just rewards.

A short break from midfield was taken on by front row England tourists Steve Thompson and Robbie Morris. 'Wally' and 'Roboprop' caused mayhem in a Bristol pack that was visibly wilting. As the young dynamic duo were held up short the Saints player of the year Andy Blowers, after a quick interchange in the backs, took the play on over the Bristol line for the score and the lead returning to the visitors yet again.

In the dying moments of the half Contepomi hit a further long range pen to again switch the lead one more time and send the home side in 16-14 at the break. It was still all there to play for.

Indeed after the break it was Bristol who surged into a commanding lead.
After the initial break from David Rees, it was that man Contepomi again who skipped through the Saints defence to go over for the score celebrated in true Buddhist style in the end zone. OMMMMM!

The Saints though rallied and hit back upfront and Bristol again had problems holding back the Gold Black and Green tide and but for a cruncher of a tackle on Nick Beal by yes that Argentine man again, the visitors could have closed the gap and start to edge away but the home defence held firm

In the end though it was one Saint too many for the Bristol defenders and McCarthy hauled back Craig Moir well after the ball had gone. Referee Chris White asked Mr McCarthy to sit the game out a while as the Saints upped another gear and stormed back into the lead with tries in quick succession from Grant Seely and a second from the, yet again, outstanding Hurricane Blowers.

At 24-23 up the Saints had Twickenham in their sight but the home side realised the predicament they were in. A matter of one point stood between their season being an unexpected success or another abject mundane disappointment.

To their eternal credit Bristol rallied and hit back with three late penalties, punctuated by Long John Leslie being dispatched to the bin and a totally legal Rees try disallowed in the closing minutes to seal the game, a trip to HQ and a Heineken place.

In truth the home side just about deserved it but all credit to the Saints for fighting every inch of the way in a game many pundits gave them little chance in. Indeed a couple of missed chances early on down the flank could have put a total different reflection on the game. The spirit though had all the hallmarks of how far the club has come since the arrival of Wayne Smith in December.

Now it’s a summer of rest and recuperation and one helluva season to look forward too in twelve weeks time.

Come On You Saints!!!