News: Man of the Match GP: Leicester (H)
By Tim Empson
January 23 2009
Well the old enemy at home. This is what we supporters live for - the chance to put one over our neighbours. Earlier in the season in a midweek game Saints came off second best at Welford road in a score that slightly flattered the Tigers. Could we do the same to them live on Sky?
Saints V Leicester
Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints slew the Tigers at the Gardens?
Well the old enemy at home. This is what we supporters live for - the chance to put one over our neighbours. Earlier in the season in a midweek game Saints came off second best at Welford road in a score that slightly flattered the Tigers. Could we do the same to them live on Sky? Well due to the requirements of TV we kicked off at 17:00 on a freezing cold afternoon. The pitch looked good and special mention must go to David "Piggy" Powell for getting us a game on a day when Quins and Bath could not.
So a packed Gardens with a healthy sprinkling of Tigers fans waited, or should that be shivered, expectantly as the teams ran out. I am sure I was not alone in fearing the worst as we had obviously lost the toss and were to attack towards the South Stand in the first half. Well we should not have worried as Saints started with hats on wheels and positively flew at the Tigers. Two tries and a potential third ruled out for a forward pass to none in the first half and it was only a worrying off day of Stephen Mylers boot that kept the pussy cats in the game - as we turned around only 4 points ahead. Surely the Saints could not be as dominant again in the second half.
The second half was indeed a closer affair. Flood scored on the only occasion that Tigers really threatened our line but as we had a third try the game entered the final 1o minutes nip and tuck with only 4 points in it. It was certainly squeaky bottom time - one slip in defence and Tigers would take a game Saints should have won at half time. At this stage the forwards took charge and out Tiggered the Tigers - the five minutes of up the jumper as the clock ran down was superb. Eventually Leicester gave a penalty away with about 30 seconds on the clock. Nacho man quickly grabbed the ball to ensure no one was stupid enough to take a quick tap and I am sure he lapped up the atmosphere as the crowd counted down the clock and as it got to zero Captain Lobbe calmly tossed the ball to Myler and told him to put it deep into the Stands. Cue euphoria as if we had won the league.
So we retired to the Rodbar and watched some fabulous entertainment laid on by the supporters club. If only the club would help out we could have a band on more frequently. I was most impressed with the Tigs fans who stayed and enjoyed it despite the result for them. And finally big thanks to the 100 or so Pirates that were at the ground - friends from our sojourn in ND1 on the way to their game at Nottingham the following day.
So who caught the eye?
Whist Juandre Kruger is still a relative new boy but he continues to impress - not only with his dominant displays in the line out but also his work rate around the park. Juandre is a great addition to the squad.
Ben Foden followed up his MoTM performance against Bristol with another great display from full back with 10%.
In second place, and a rock in our defence, was James Downey with 15% of the votes. James reminds me so much of John Leslie in that we tend to miss him much more when he isn't there than we notice the good work he does. I am sure the high figures here are because many had a chance to watch a rerun of the game when they got home.
Finally with his fifth win of the season was local hero Paul Diggin with 37.5% of the votes. Paul was as ecstatic with the win as we were as he bounced around the pitch. Paul now has opened up a lead at the top of the leader board. Well done Digger who with this win levels the scores between the forwards and the backs on 8.5 wins each.
Full Result
Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints slew the Tigers at the Gardens?
Ben Foden 10.40%
Paul Diggin 37.57%
James Downey 15.03%
Juandre Kruger 9.83%
Number of votes: 173
Previous Winners
Leicester Home - Paul Diggin
Bristol Home (GP) - Ben Foden
Bath Away - Mark Easter
Quins Home - Euan Murray
Bristol Away (ECC) - Paul Diggin
Bristol Home (ECC) - Paul Diggin
Gloucester Away - Paul Diggin
Bath Home - Roger Wilson
Bristol Away - Roger Wilson
Scarlets Home (EDF) - Roger Wilson
Sarries Away (EDF) - Roger Wilson/Ben Foden
Montpellier Home - Courtney Lawes
Toulon Away - Stephen Myler
Bristol Home (EDF) - Paul Diggin
Leicester Away - Ben Foden
Sarries Away - Stephen Myler
Wasps Home - Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
Newcastle Away – Sean Lamont
Worcester Home - Neil Best
Vote History
Leicester Home - 173
Bristol Home (GP) - 133
Bath Away - 53
Quins Home - 147
Bristol Away (ECC) - 48
Bristol Home (ECC) - 107
Gloucester Away - 74
Bath Home - 121
Bristol Away - 40
Scarlets Home (EDF) - 124
Sarries Away (EDF) - 46
Montpellier Home - 119
Toulon Away - 167
Bristol Home (EDF) - 82
Leicester Away - 57
Sarries Away - 73
Wasps Home - 113
Newcastle Away - 46
Worcester Home - 149
Who wins?
Backs 8.5, Half Backs 2, Forwards 8.5
Winners
Paul Diggin 5
Roger Wilson 3.5
Ben Foden 2.5
Stephen Myler 2
Neil Best 1
Sean Lamont 1
Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe 1
Courtney Lawes 1
Euan Murray 1
Mark Easter 1
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Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
I enjoyed that, Tim. Quite right to mention the Pirates there too. Thanks as ever.