Saints beaten by Biarritz, but take heart

a leisurly breakfast
By Stockers
October 24 2006

Northampton Saints continued their losing record in The Pays Basque with a third defeat in three visits to Biarritz Olympique. The local team, in their splendidly enlarged Stade Aguilera outscored the visitors four tries to one in an easy victory for one of the top French clubs.

 

Biarritz Olympique v Northampton Saints

Heineken European Cup, Pool 6, Round 1

Sunday 22 October 2006

Biarritz Olympique 22, Northampton Saints 10

A rainy morning gave way to a dry overcast afternoon as at least 1500 Saints fans made their way through the leafy suburbs of Biarritz. The town seemed to be coloured Gold Black and Green and many bars and restaurants looked to the visitors to boost their coffers at the very end of the summer season. Saints colours were everywhere and even the wacky and noisy promotional truck from BO sported the Union Jack and the Saints banner amongst the red green and white colours of the Basque country.

The tension was heightened during Saturday with the news that Ben Cohen had failed a late fitness test and worsened on the morning when Pat Barnard pulled out suffering from an ear infection.

Chris Budgen and Johnny Howard started the match therefore against a BO team which was also suffering from the absence of stars such as Harinordoquy and Lievremont. The game was still the stage for an encounter between two of the hard men of world rugby in Paul Tupai and Serge Betsen. Toops got his retaliation in early, leaving Betsen prone for a couple of minutes and a stern word from Scottish ref, Malcolm Changleng. Toops got some treatment a little later in the dark recesses of a ruck and the two of them calmed down and got on with the rugby.

Despite a promising early start, Saints were soon on the back foot, not helped by some wayward tactical kicking by the Saints backs. On 18 minutes BO scored the first of their tries by the mercurial Sirelli Bobo, latching on to a loose ball which seemed to be knocked on but was adjudged as a chip ahead. Yachvili missed the conversion and had missed an earlier penalty. Saints struck back when Howard landed a penalty kick to respectful near silence but soon BO were back in their stride with a second try from a well worked attack which pulled the Saints defence one way with three BO attackers facing Wally Thompson on his own on the wing, a position he seemed to spend much of the match patrolling yesterday. Yachvili missed again!

 

Saints tried to get back into the game but despite winning penalties in a useful position, knocked on in attack and the initiative returned to BO leading to a third try and a second for Bobo. Of course, Yachvili missed the kick and Saints were still in touch just at 15-3. Half time arrived with Saints attacking with more confidence but ran out of time and accuracy when Howard missed the final penalty kick of the half. 15-3 it remained after a half with much Saints endeavour but too many basic mistakes in handling and tactical kicking. Strong defence had however kept out at least two other BO tries.

Saints were under pressure from the start of the second half (self induced) leading to a BO try from a line out as they mauled the ball over the line with relative ease. This time Yachvili hit the target and the score moved to 22-3 with BO having scored the bonus point. From that point on they simply kept the game tight and did enough to win the match.

 

 One of the impressive local bands struck up “Dirty Old Town” after that. Maybe they have already seen Northampton? The singing by the local fans was impressive and the two bands kept the momentum going with a repertoire both varied and well executed. Saints followers did their best with “Oh Wendy” but it is a limited selection.

Eventually, Saints managed to undo the BO defence when Ian Vass, on for the injured Luke Myring, dribbled the ball through to the try line for Howard to touch down and give the visitors some hope of a come back after 33 minutes of the half. Saints kept the momentum going and tried to at least get the losing bonus point but for all the effort and possession, no points resulted. This has become a common theme of recent performances and Paul Grayson and his coaching team need to address the current inability to transfer pressure in to points. There are still too many basic skills errors which are letting potential victories slip away and Saints left Biarritz with nothing to show for their efforts.

Final score, 22-10 and a try scoring bonus in Pool 6 to Biarritz Olympique. Saints can still succeed in this group but need bonus points and lots of tries from their games against Borders and Parma.

Plus ca change...........