During the week Crenca stated that, after the previous weeks battle against Borders, which saw their flyhalf sent off for a headbutt, there would be no more shenanigans (or whatever the French equivalent is) and his team would have to be more disciplined against Northampton or suffer the consequences. Well he kept his word for all of five minutes then a sudden rush of blood, or maybe just Wally smiling at him, pushed Crenca over the edge and he planted an ‘Aquitaine kiss’ straight on the England hookers fizzog. The incident was straight in front of referee, Nigel Whitehouse who was left with no option but to brandish la carte rouge.
Now Crenca felt a bit aggrieved at this treatment and it seems so did those listening to the game back in France. Due to the wonders of the internet, and some intrepid work from one of Greens Norton’s finest, our readers were treated on Sunday to a translated version of the Agenais online chat during the game. Some things of course were lost in translation, exactly what “the referee does not import koi” means is lost on me, but “the red paperboard of Crenca was too severe: Crenca did not touch the English player with his head! It is right fact gesture of intimidation!!” could not be any clearer. The general consensus of opinion was that they were hard done by, never got the rub of the green and the man in the middle was biased in the oppositions favour. (Wait a minute, that’s sounds a lot like this column every week?)
Now in their defence they were swayed by the Radio Sud reporter at the Gardens, (alas not everyone’s as lucky to have such totally unbiased reporting BBC from the likes of James Knight and Adam Blackmore each week), but our new best friend, Roland from Agen, confirmed to us on Monday that his team have found themselves with an unwarranted reputation. It transpires a conspiracy in French rugby to keep the less aristocratic Agenais down because they come from an industrial provincial town (sounds familiar) is behind all the bad press they have been getting. The two red and three yellow cards in the last two games were obviously an aberration then?
So come January 24th in France we can expect nothing but sweetness and light from Agen in the away leg at Stade Armandie. Now if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!
LOOKING FORWARD
Now I know it’s the time of year where we all over indulge but I have just one request, please make mine a double! Yes for the first time in lord knows how many years the Saints go into Saturday’s sellout game at the Gardens against the Tigers with the chance of putting the double over our illustrious neighbours.
After the victory at Welford Road earlier this season one comment from a Tigers fan in the pub afterwards has stuck in my mind, “Are you going to cheer when Leicester win the World Cup?” A somewhat blinkered view considering the final outcome and blindly ignoring the fact that we had beaten a full strength Tigers side on their own turf the season before. Now what sweeter way to finish off the year at the Gardens than by beating Leicester on our patch confirming our position as the top side in the Midlands and shutting up these moaning minnies into the bargain?
It’s a tall order though, the Tigers are finally finding some form, as anyone who watched their Heineken Cup game against the Dragons can confirm. Their England contingent (who partly won the World Cup) are back to do their business for a club that found itself in the doldrums up to last weeks return to form. However instrumental in this upturn is one that stayed at home. Yes Little Austin Healey looks like it’s not just his hair that’s been rejuvenated but his game as well. He looks back to his best with hands, feet and no doubt lip and when on top form he is a constant danger.
So come Saturday forget the game too far at Twickenham in the evening, the Midlands derby is the real match of the day. If you have not got a ticket for the game don’t worry it is also being covered by Sky and everything kicks off at 2:45. So if you are on the terrace with your pint and pastie or in your armchair with your mulled wine and mince pie, enjoy the day as it looks like being a Christmas cracker!
WHOOPS
Yes a big booboo by me in last week’s column in getting my Quinnell brothers mixed up which was so kindly pointed out to me by several alert (and a couple of not so alert) readers. To further confuse matters the lads at Llanelli are raving about the next product off the Quinnell production line, Gavin a powerful No.8 who is predicted to be the best of the lot. But I can only apologise for the mistake.
It crossed my mind to use the monikers attributed to Scott and Craig by some wags in Wales namely ‘Pies’ and Pies Junior’ but after almost getting on the wrong side of Craig in a Richmond pub a few years ago I think from now on I’ll just call them both Sir!
ON THE BUSES
The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to the Newcastle and London Irish games over the Christmas holiday period. For the Newcastle game on Sunday December 28th, coaches will leave the Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 9am
Adults: £15 Children/Students/OAPs: £10
For the Irish game on Sunday January 4th, it’s a midday start from the VIP car park and prices are: Adults: £12 Children/Students/OAPs: £7
To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats.
If you are thinking of letting the train take the strain for either of these games, one word of advice. Don’t!
Now Crenca felt a bit aggrieved at this treatment and it seems so did those listening to the game back in France. Due to the wonders of the internet, and some intrepid work from one of Greens Norton’s finest, our readers were treated on Sunday to a translated version of the Agenais online chat during the game. Some things of course were lost in translation, exactly what “the referee does not import koi” means is lost on me, but “the red paperboard of Crenca was too severe: Crenca did not touch the English player with his head! It is right fact gesture of intimidation!!” could not be any clearer. The general consensus of opinion was that they were hard done by, never got the rub of the green and the man in the middle was biased in the oppositions favour. (Wait a minute, that’s sounds a lot like this column every week?)
Now in their defence they were swayed by the Radio Sud reporter at the Gardens, (alas not everyone’s as lucky to have such totally unbiased reporting BBC from the likes of James Knight and Adam Blackmore each week), but our new best friend, Roland from Agen, confirmed to us on Monday that his team have found themselves with an unwarranted reputation. It transpires a conspiracy in French rugby to keep the less aristocratic Agenais down because they come from an industrial provincial town (sounds familiar) is behind all the bad press they have been getting. The two red and three yellow cards in the last two games were obviously an aberration then?
So come January 24th in France we can expect nothing but sweetness and light from Agen in the away leg at Stade Armandie. Now if you believe that, you’ll believe anything!
LOOKING FORWARD
Now I know it’s the time of year where we all over indulge but I have just one request, please make mine a double! Yes for the first time in lord knows how many years the Saints go into Saturday’s sellout game at the Gardens against the Tigers with the chance of putting the double over our illustrious neighbours.
After the victory at Welford Road earlier this season one comment from a Tigers fan in the pub afterwards has stuck in my mind, “Are you going to cheer when Leicester win the World Cup?” A somewhat blinkered view considering the final outcome and blindly ignoring the fact that we had beaten a full strength Tigers side on their own turf the season before. Now what sweeter way to finish off the year at the Gardens than by beating Leicester on our patch confirming our position as the top side in the Midlands and shutting up these moaning minnies into the bargain?
It’s a tall order though, the Tigers are finally finding some form, as anyone who watched their Heineken Cup game against the Dragons can confirm. Their England contingent (who partly won the World Cup) are back to do their business for a club that found itself in the doldrums up to last weeks return to form. However instrumental in this upturn is one that stayed at home. Yes Little Austin Healey looks like it’s not just his hair that’s been rejuvenated but his game as well. He looks back to his best with hands, feet and no doubt lip and when on top form he is a constant danger.
So come Saturday forget the game too far at Twickenham in the evening, the Midlands derby is the real match of the day. If you have not got a ticket for the game don’t worry it is also being covered by Sky and everything kicks off at 2:45. So if you are on the terrace with your pint and pastie or in your armchair with your mulled wine and mince pie, enjoy the day as it looks like being a Christmas cracker!
WHOOPS
Yes a big booboo by me in last week’s column in getting my Quinnell brothers mixed up which was so kindly pointed out to me by several alert (and a couple of not so alert) readers. To further confuse matters the lads at Llanelli are raving about the next product off the Quinnell production line, Gavin a powerful No.8 who is predicted to be the best of the lot. But I can only apologise for the mistake.
It crossed my mind to use the monikers attributed to Scott and Craig by some wags in Wales namely ‘Pies’ and Pies Junior’ but after almost getting on the wrong side of Craig in a Richmond pub a few years ago I think from now on I’ll just call them both Sir!
ON THE BUSES
The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to the Newcastle and London Irish games over the Christmas holiday period. For the Newcastle game on Sunday December 28th, coaches will leave the Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 9am
Adults: £15 Children/Students/OAPs: £10
For the Irish game on Sunday January 4th, it’s a midday start from the VIP car park and prices are: Adults: £12 Children/Students/OAPs: £7
To book places call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats.
If you are thinking of letting the train take the strain for either of these games, one word of advice. Don’t!
No comments:
Post a Comment