News: Saints' Northern Triumph Falcons 8 Saints 28
By Tom Carmichael
November 28 2009
Following the Saints on the road can be a frustrating business. Over the years our boys have been plagued by inconsistency and a failure to reproduce the special displays they frequently provide at Franklins Gardens. Newcastle had pinched a win at the Notnots last week so this would be tough. But wait, a second away league win. We even won in the hated white shirts. I could get used to this.
Guinness Premiership Round 9
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
Friday 28th November, Kingston Park
KO 8.00 pm
Newcastle Falcons 8 Northampton Saints 28
So what would await us at Kingston Park? A few hundred hardy souls ventured north. The Budgies later bragged of a best home attendance of 6,522. Most Geordies can obviously find better entertainment on a Friday night. Uncle Keith had promised everyone a free beer, I missed out on mine but the eventual win was sweeter. Friday evening was positively balmy by Newcastle November standards; no biting wind howling in from the Pennines, no horizontal rain. The possibility of some decent rugby loomed. The Saints looked distinctly lively in the warm up, hitting the tackles bags hard and clearing rucks. There's no going through the motions nowadays. But watching was the talismanic Brucie on crutches...oh dear. Joe Ansbro stepped up for the number 11 shirt.
Newcastle kicked off, we dropped it. The England returnee, Shane Geraghty kicked aimlessly. Then another poor Geraghty kick led to a Newcastle hack and chase with only the alert Ben Foden saving the Saints. After eight minutes the Saints came to life. Newcastle obviously hadn't seen the Munster video, Shane was off again from a close penalty and this time a jubilant Chris Ashton was over for the first try.
That was about it from the Saints for the first half apart from a straightforward penalty. The Falcons forwards were showing more dynamism and worked a try for Biggs. Eight all at half time. We'd kicked badly; there was a case for Stephen Myler replacing the out of sorts Geraghty. A quick chat in the bogs confirmed this as the best course of action. What do we know?
Clearly greater sense was spoken in the Saints half time dressing room. The Saints forwards grew in stature, helped by the emergence of Big Euan Murray still short of match fitness but desperate to get his season rolling and the golden boy grew in confidence, running the show. Tiny was not only holding his own against the alleged best tight head in the world but also treating us to some trademark charges. Add a neat pass and he put Ashton screaming in for his second. Our forwards now dominated, the much heralded Jimmy Gopperth was struggling on the rare occasions that the Falcons got the ball and the Geordie crowd was silenced. We didn't really need his help, but Sir started giving everything to the Saints including sending Micky Young to the bin. Two penalties in his absence and we were sitting pretty. When the poor fellow returned he ended up being stretched off...concussion apparently.
Finally Newcastle started to attack. Tu'ipolotu was a handful but generally their attacks were lateral and predictable. The Saints defence held them comfortably. It's hard to remember play getting into our 22. By this time disillusioned home "fans" were deserting. Best for them that they did, as the Saints finished on a high with a beautiful Geraghty chip landing the hands of Ashton who dotted down for this hat trick; everyone's a coconut for the Wigan lad at the moment.
If you didn't make it, let me tell you that this second half display was quite something. Forward domination, including a rock solid scrimmage, control at half back, positive running and off loading with an impregnable defence. Later on the streets of genteel Durham City a busking trombonist was playing " When the Saints .." Word is getting out that we're on the march!
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Quote:smashing!Tom C
Everyone's a coconut
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
alive and well in Shrubbery Terrace
Bridesmaids no more.
Saint til I die
report really summed it up. thanks Tom Hope you made it back to Kent on saturday and you saw the pink panther in durham.
I managed (needed) to visit two bogs at half time and can confirm that Saints in the South Stand were less optimistic than those in the East Stand. That may have been due the the cooler climes suffered by by those in the cheap seats.
We all seemed to agree at that time though, that Shane would get 10 minutes before Smyler was brought on. Little did we know that Management had a better idea.......Euan.
But, in case anyone gets the wrong impression, the pack were doing okay in the first half, just about even stevens. But when Euan came on, we stepped up and took control of the pack.
What a magnificent achievement by JM, DW and the team in general to have gotten Saints to 2nd without Euan.
Quote:hoddros
What a magnificent achievement by JM, DW and the team in general to have gotten Saints to 2nd without Euan.
Well said, hoddros. Much as I love watch Euan at work and I'm looking forward to us kicking on now that he's back in the fold.