Well it was surely a case of after the Lord Mayors show on Saturday as the hangover of the previous weeks exertions against Llanelli lingered long enough to leave an air of depression over the Gardens that neither the team nor we supporters could seem to shake off.
Try as they might the lads couldn’t break down a resilient Rotherham side that has changed out of all recognition in personnel and application from the side they were fielding earlier this season.
All credit to the Yorkshire team though, they made Saints fight every inch of the way for the four points and had they had the rub of the green they might even have sneaked a bonus point or even an unexpected draw. However you cannot help thinking that if the disappointment of last weeks European exit had been fully exorcised we may have upped a couple of gears and secured what could prove be a valuable bonus point.
Without the sterling efforts of the likes of Bruce Reihana and Tam Smith it may even have been worse. The players were not alone though in putting in a lack lustre display, it looked and felt like we were all suffering the post Euro blues in the stands too. One rousing round of ‘Oh Wendy’ when the team ran out was about all we could muster with any conviction all afternoon.
So looks like it’s a week of contemplation for player and supporter alike before we get that famous rollercoaster back on track at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
LOOKING AHEAD
So it’s off down to darkest deepest Hertfordshire on Sunday for the Zurich clash against Saracens at Vicarage Road, Watford.
There have been some great encounters down there over the last few years and I’m sure everyone’s mind goes back to that Tetley’s Cup quarter final where Saints edged through by the narrowest of narrow margins when a late late ‘winning’ dropgoal sailed half a gnats leg wide and Saints went on to reach yet another final. Its something which the Fez headed ones still complain about to this day but if Pat Lam, a man honest as the day is long, said it was wide, it was wide. I mean what could Lammy possibly gain by telling a fib?
So there is a little history to this encounter but Sarries despite a rash of big signings over the last few years still fail to reach the heights of the team that won the cup, beating us in a semi at the Gardens on the way, and pushed Newcastle all the way to the title in the late 90’s.
Francois Pienaar, aka Frankie Peanuts, and our very own Buck Shelford have failed in recent times to get a team of stars to gel with any any consistency. Even with the talent available to them this season with the likes of Taine Randall and in my opinion the most talented footballer in the division, Thomas Castaignede, they are hardly setting the world on fire. So Saints, if they can get the mindset right must be traveling south with their eye on a victory.
Remember it is and early (1:00pm) kickoff as it is also a Six Nations weekend and Sarries will be showing the Italy v England game live on their big screen after the game.
The Supporters Club are running buses to Vicarage Road and are allowing time after the match for you to watch the England game before returning home. They leave the VIP car park at the Gardens at 10:00am and will return home at 5:00pm. The prices are:Adults: £11, Children/Students/OAPs: £7
To book places please call Jean on 01604 583283, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats. You can get a train direct to Watford from Northampton in just over an hour, however check for alterations and/or engineering works before you travel.
RUMOURS RUMOURS RUMOURS.
As I sit writing this on Monday evening the rumour mill over the Irish Sea is going haywire. Alan Solomons, the Ulster coach, will be announced as Saints new coach this week is the latest hot off the press.
Of course by the time you read this it may well be done and dusted and then again it may not but Rugby Times this week reported that Solomons has an agreement with Percy Montgomery, Bobby Skinstad and everyones second favourite Bok (after Brendan Venter), Corne Krige to join him at the Gardens next season.
Maybe just pie in the sky paper talk but John Steele mentioned in this weeks programme that there are some exciting signings on the way. Which raises the question, what was Great Britain rugby league skipper Andy Farrell doing drinking in the ‘Rodbar’ on Saturday afternoon? As yet though, still no reports of Troy Flavell being seen with Lord Lucan and Elvis in the Weedon Road chippie.
But watch this space.
QUIZZICAL
Here’s a date for your diaries. On Friday 5th March our site, or more precisely the ComeOnYouSaints.Com Quizmeisters Mavvie & Flattie (they’ll kill me for that) have organized a quiz night at the Gardens in support of Jon Phillips Benefit Year. A chance to honour one of the clubs true loyal Saints.
The aim is to get fifty teams of four taking part and places are already filling up fast. As well as a team, or maybe two, of Saints players teams representing ZP referees, if they can find their specs, and all the different factions of Saints supporters will be taking part. There have also already been entries from several other clubs supporters including Wasps, Sarries, Tigers and Quins.
Having been on the last of these two chaps quiz nights when we raised money for the ‘Saints with Heart II’ fund I can thoroughly recommend it as a good night away from Corrie and Eastenders.
It all kicks off in the Rodber Suite, Franklins Gardens. Doors open 7.00pm for a prompt 8.00 pm start.
Interested? Well the entry is £10 per team of four but you MUST book in advance.
You can get further details by emailing paul.flatt1@btinternet.com or call Paul on 01327-358389.
So get those thinking caps on and I’ll see you there!
Talking of ‘Saints with Heart II’ which we ran last year, the sponsored walk from Wolverton to the Gardens before the London Irish game and the quiz night mentioned before raised a grand total of circa £10,000 (yes ten thousand) for the British Heart Foundation.
It is hoped there will be an official presentation of the cheque at the Gardens some time soon. This autumn will see the launch of ‘Saints with Heart III’ where we will as before try and beat the previous years total. Keep watching this space to see how you can help.
All credit to the Yorkshire team though, they made Saints fight every inch of the way for the four points and had they had the rub of the green they might even have sneaked a bonus point or even an unexpected draw. However you cannot help thinking that if the disappointment of last weeks European exit had been fully exorcised we may have upped a couple of gears and secured what could prove be a valuable bonus point.
Without the sterling efforts of the likes of Bruce Reihana and Tam Smith it may even have been worse. The players were not alone though in putting in a lack lustre display, it looked and felt like we were all suffering the post Euro blues in the stands too. One rousing round of ‘Oh Wendy’ when the team ran out was about all we could muster with any conviction all afternoon.
So looks like it’s a week of contemplation for player and supporter alike before we get that famous rollercoaster back on track at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
LOOKING AHEAD
So it’s off down to darkest deepest Hertfordshire on Sunday for the Zurich clash against Saracens at Vicarage Road, Watford.
There have been some great encounters down there over the last few years and I’m sure everyone’s mind goes back to that Tetley’s Cup quarter final where Saints edged through by the narrowest of narrow margins when a late late ‘winning’ dropgoal sailed half a gnats leg wide and Saints went on to reach yet another final. Its something which the Fez headed ones still complain about to this day but if Pat Lam, a man honest as the day is long, said it was wide, it was wide. I mean what could Lammy possibly gain by telling a fib?
So there is a little history to this encounter but Sarries despite a rash of big signings over the last few years still fail to reach the heights of the team that won the cup, beating us in a semi at the Gardens on the way, and pushed Newcastle all the way to the title in the late 90’s.
Francois Pienaar, aka Frankie Peanuts, and our very own Buck Shelford have failed in recent times to get a team of stars to gel with any any consistency. Even with the talent available to them this season with the likes of Taine Randall and in my opinion the most talented footballer in the division, Thomas Castaignede, they are hardly setting the world on fire. So Saints, if they can get the mindset right must be traveling south with their eye on a victory.
Remember it is and early (1:00pm) kickoff as it is also a Six Nations weekend and Sarries will be showing the Italy v England game live on their big screen after the game.
The Supporters Club are running buses to Vicarage Road and are allowing time after the match for you to watch the England game before returning home. They leave the VIP car park at the Gardens at 10:00am and will return home at 5:00pm. The prices are:Adults: £11, Children/Students/OAPs: £7
To book places please call Jean on 01604 583283, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats. You can get a train direct to Watford from Northampton in just over an hour, however check for alterations and/or engineering works before you travel.
RUMOURS RUMOURS RUMOURS.
As I sit writing this on Monday evening the rumour mill over the Irish Sea is going haywire. Alan Solomons, the Ulster coach, will be announced as Saints new coach this week is the latest hot off the press.
Of course by the time you read this it may well be done and dusted and then again it may not but Rugby Times this week reported that Solomons has an agreement with Percy Montgomery, Bobby Skinstad and everyones second favourite Bok (after Brendan Venter), Corne Krige to join him at the Gardens next season.
Maybe just pie in the sky paper talk but John Steele mentioned in this weeks programme that there are some exciting signings on the way. Which raises the question, what was Great Britain rugby league skipper Andy Farrell doing drinking in the ‘Rodbar’ on Saturday afternoon? As yet though, still no reports of Troy Flavell being seen with Lord Lucan and Elvis in the Weedon Road chippie.
But watch this space.
QUIZZICAL
Here’s a date for your diaries. On Friday 5th March our site, or more precisely the ComeOnYouSaints.Com Quizmeisters Mavvie & Flattie (they’ll kill me for that) have organized a quiz night at the Gardens in support of Jon Phillips Benefit Year. A chance to honour one of the clubs true loyal Saints.
The aim is to get fifty teams of four taking part and places are already filling up fast. As well as a team, or maybe two, of Saints players teams representing ZP referees, if they can find their specs, and all the different factions of Saints supporters will be taking part. There have also already been entries from several other clubs supporters including Wasps, Sarries, Tigers and Quins.
Having been on the last of these two chaps quiz nights when we raised money for the ‘Saints with Heart II’ fund I can thoroughly recommend it as a good night away from Corrie and Eastenders.
It all kicks off in the Rodber Suite, Franklins Gardens. Doors open 7.00pm for a prompt 8.00 pm start.
Interested? Well the entry is £10 per team of four but you MUST book in advance.
You can get further details by emailing paul.flatt1@btinternet.com or call Paul on 01327-358389.
So get those thinking caps on and I’ll see you there!
Talking of ‘Saints with Heart II’ which we ran last year, the sponsored walk from Wolverton to the Gardens before the London Irish game and the quiz night mentioned before raised a grand total of circa £10,000 (yes ten thousand) for the British Heart Foundation.
It is hoped there will be an official presentation of the cheque at the Gardens some time soon. This autumn will see the launch of ‘Saints with Heart III’ where we will as before try and beat the previous years total. Keep watching this space to see how you can help.
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