April 30 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
April 30 2004

So as the season moves into the final month the Saints head north to play Leeds with it still all to play for. If we can get a result and Wasps prevail against Gloucester on Saturday we secure not only third place in the ZP but that coveted place in next seasons Heineken Cup.

With Quins making the final of the Parker Pen fourth place in the Zurich Premiership still does not guarantee Heineken rugby in 04/05 so securing third could now be imperative. The prospect of playing in the wildcard playoffs against he likes of a resurgent Tigers side does not bear thinking about especially when you think of the physiological effect just missing out may have. However I am sure the lads have enough in the tank to make sure that scenario never arises.
I am not however counting those chickens yet.

And we certainly want to steer clear of the wildcard because above all else it looks like somewhat of a pickle. This might sound a touch complicated but it is quite possible that the team that ends fourth in the ZP, for arguments sake Gloucester (yes I’m counting those hens now), could be in the wildcard final playing Quins on the 29th May for the last Heineken place. However if the week before Quins and Wasps both win their respective European competitions then not only would it make the wildcard final null and void as both teams would then qualify but England would then be awarded a seventh Heineken spot which would have to be played off by the wildcard semi final ‘lucky losers’. Clear as mud isn’t it?

Fingers crossed we will not have to worry about entering into what looks like bit of a nightmare and have that third place in the bag either at Leeds this weekend or against Quins at the Gardens in our final home game on May 8th. Then it’s a trip to either the Rec or the Causeway and maybe, just maybe, a trip to Twickenham on May 29th.

Like I said last week, think Agen, think Agen.

LOOKING AHEAD

First up though is Leeds. As I mentioned last week it looks like a there will be quite a sizable Gold, Black n Green convoy heading to Yorkshire at the weekend. The club are running coaches north, which are free to season ticket holders and members who purchase a match ticket via the club. The demand for places on the Saints Supporters Club bus has been high and they are now booking an extra vehicle. Phone Jean no later than today (Wednesday) for further details on 01604 583283. The SSC are having a Hawaiian themed trip but it is not compulsory to don garish coloured shirts, although it never did Harlequins any harm. So fear not if like one of our ‘older’ readers you have misplaced that grass skirt you can go along and party whatever you’re wearing. Its still not too late to make a weekend of it as many other supporters have as it’s a Bank Holiday on the Monday. We’ve heard of fans staying at all manner of locations from Harrogate to Whitby, from Bridlington to sunny Hull. Me, I’m sampling the delights of Leeds city centre for a couple of nights. Somehow I don’t think I will need my Bermuda shorts there.The sacrifices we make eh? See you there.

SUPER SHARKY AND SPRUCE BRUCE

A request. Could Wayne Smith please ignore this next paragraph and go on to the more exciting bits. Has he gone? Right.
It was good to see both Bruce Reihana and Mark Robinson nominated by their fellow pros as contenders for the Zurich Premiership player of the season. We all know that Spruce Bruce has set the ZP alight this year and there is constant reference to both he and Andy Blowers returning to chance their arm with the All Blacks once more, but having kept in touch with the game in New Zealand via the web it seems that Sharky may be the one most in demand with the fans. On several occasions I’ve read comments along the lines that he never got a fair crack at the nine jersey and it was a real travesty that he was allowed to leave New Zealand in the manner he did. Seems quite a few believe that Sharky, who has been a revelation for the Saints, could be the answer to a dearth of talent some supporters believe they have in that position. All in all the general opinion is that he was very hard done by and should still be plying his trade in the Land of the Long White Cloud and in contention for the All Blacks. Luckily for us all three, Bruce, AB and Sharky are here for at least another season and although Andy has stated he will return to NZ next summer hopefully the two ZP nominees will be around for a further few years to come, unless of course the New Zealand coaching panel get to hear about them, so shhhhhh, keep it under your hat. Okay Wayne, you can look now.

RUFFLED FEATHERS

Seems I ruffled a couple of feathers in expressing support for Toulouse for the Heineken Cup in the column last week. One visitor to our website was ‘astounded’ that I had plumped for a French side when there was still English sides in the competition. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m an Englishman born and bred and back both English and British national sides in everything from rugby to twiddlywinks but I just don’t hold with the view that I have to support a team I have little or no affinity with, because year in year out they are our more natural ‘rivals’. Or is it just not cricket (remember Norman Tebbitt?) to support a team because their ground might be in the country you were born in. If you were to stretch a point how far do you take this loyalty? I mean if you live in Northampton or the surrounding area you should support Saints whatever, yes? Well that’s a no brainer of course, but it makes you wonder why the person complaining about my choice lives in Northampton and supports Wasps, yes Wasps! Seems by example we can indeed support who we want, whatever our locality and/or nationality. So come European Cup final day I’ll be there at Twickenham giving my unwavering support. Allez Toulouse! (a historic enclave of Stony Stratford).

April 22nd 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
April 22 2004

Well the rains came tumbling down at the Gardens but the Saints go marching on as the lads put the memory of the Wasps defeat behind them on Sunday to put a serious dent in Baths title ambitions while doing their own chances of reaching Twickenham for the Zurich Championship final no harm at all.

It was our sixth victory over Bath in eight games and maybe just the most important one because for all the talk of conditions playing a major part (did anyone notice the sun coming out and it drying up when we got the ball?) at the end of play it was us that held firm and showed more invention round the park.

From my point of view the heavy weather was more suited to Baths forward dominated, up your jumper, style of game than ours but it just goes to show that maybe a little mix and match, whatever the weather, goes a long way if you have the desire.

The game was settled with a single try started with a touch of inspiration from Spruce Bruce and the perfect lay off from Big Ben before youngster Johnny Clarke stepped to the fore, shaking off one tackle, doing a Campese goosestep out of another then racing fifty metres to aquaplane in for the score.

All credit to the England U21 player for a well taken touchdown but the foundation for the win was yet again our defence. Since the turnaround at the halfway point of the Zurich season the Saints defence has really tightened up and, even allowing for the defeat at the Causeway, on the homeward stretch we are only conceding on average half the points per game than we were in the first half of the season. With that foundation and the fact that we still lead the tries scored table with 55 its looks like we are getting a good balance. If you can marry that balance to consistency you might just be on to something.

So as much as Bath fans may claim they gave our pack the runaround for all their perceived efforts they did not really threaten our line all afternoon? Indeed they did not seem to spend a lot of time even in our twenty-two because for all their possession they quite simply did not have a ‘Plan B’.

Once Saints had rode (or RIDDEN) the storm and contained Bath to little forays in the middle of the park they had time to take a breather, regroup and for the last half hour take the game by the scruff of the neck, dominate and run out worthy winners. For all Baths power and brawn when the eighty minutes were up they were left floundering.

The win still keeps Gloucester at bay with just two games left against the Tykes and Quins, while the Kingsholm club still have to play top two Bath and Wasps. So we are still pretty much on course for that third place and guaranteed Heineken cup rugby next season. More importantly with our win on Sunday cutting Baths lead to just one point there is now every chance the semi final might be a visit to the Rec.
Having beaten them once there is no reason we cannot do it again, the monkey is off our back and a victory would see us face Wasps in a winner take all final.

Now as much as Wasps comprehensively outplayed us at High Wycombe I cannot help thinking back to Agen. Remember we were the ‘boil on Agens behind waiting to be lanced’ as no one ever won at Stade Armandie, even the might of Toulouse falling by the wayside. Yet in one of those most memorable of Saints performances we pulled a display out of somewhere that was tantamount to the storming of the Bastille. If we can do it once we can do it again. The season as far as silverware is concerned is far from over but first we must deal with Leeds and Harlequins before the real fun starts.

LOOKING AHEAD

It’s a free weekend again for the Saints with it being European semi weekend (Allez Stade!) and the next game looming on the horizon is at Headingley against Leeds on Sunday 2nd May. The club are running free coaches while we hear the Supporters Club are planning to make their trip a Hawaiian theme day. With it being a holiday weekend a few supporters are also staying over in the area to make a break of it. So it looks like it could be party time and with the team needing your support in the last away game of the regular campaign try and get there if you can. More details next week.

THE WANDERERS (And please please please do not call them ‘the Stiffs’)

While the 1st XV are still in the hunt for silverware, the second string Wanderers are just 80 mins away from winning the inaugural Zurich A title.
They really stormed the North section of the league winning nine out of their ten games, averaging over 30 points an outing and scoring four or more tries on eight separate occasions with young Andy Vilk, now breaking into the first team, running up five pointers by the hat full.

Last week at the Stoop they lost the first leg of the final against Quins 28-15 when by their own admission they were not firing on all cylinders so they hope to put things right in the second leg at the Gardens next Tuesday night (27th) and make up that 13 point deficit to secure the trophy. It is, given their scoring rate, certainly within their grasp but they could be helped along the way by a large vociferous crowd, so tear yourself away from Kat and Alfies troubles in Albert Square for one evening and make your way to FG instead to cheer the lads on to possible glory.

FARWELL JP

Another era comes to a close at seasons end with Jon Phillips announcing he is off to join many other ex-Saints at Bedford. JP has always been a popular player both on and off the park for his no nonsense, abrasive style. The recent quiz night held as part of his testimonial year attracted around 350 people including not only many supporters but many of JP’s peers too. A real testament to the guys popularity. My early memories of Jon were when he first came on the scene partnering John Etheridge in the second row and with them both having identical haircuts it was hard at times to tell the terrible twins apart but as soon as there was trouble you could pick JP out like a shot. Since that time Jon’s had more haricuts than Bruce has scored tries, including his nifty mohican earlier this year but one thing has always been constant and that is the effort JP has put in for the Saints, never anything less than 100%, a true Saint if ever there was one.

Good luck JP, you’ll be missed.

April 16 2004 (3)

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
April 16 2004

So the Saints mini run of five victories finally came to an end on Sunday at the Causeway Stadium, High Wycombe. In all honesty you could not fault the players effort but we were pretty much outplayed in just about every department by a very impressive Wasps team.

The South Bucks side were in my opinion just about the best side we have played in a long, long time.

Things looked bright early on. After we had held off an early Wasps offensive for ten minutes or so we took the game to them even turning down kickable penalties to try and force the try but alas no points were forthcoming. After twenty minutes it all looked to be over as Wasps, for whom Simon Shaw was immense, upped a few gears and ran away with it. Bruce Reihana’s 13th try of the Zurich was little consolation as on the face of it there was a large gulf between the sides in skill and organisation. The pick of the Saints for me has to be Matt Lord who even when the chips were down never gave up on the chasing the game. His tracking back and last ditch tackle, which unfortunately did not prevent Tom Voyce touching down for Wasps last try, says volumes about the guys attitude. A bit of an unsung hero Lordy could be the dark horse for player of the season.

So where exactly does the result leave us? Well it was the one game we could afford to lose and still be on course for the play offs so everything is far from over. Glos, with their rather lucky win at Sarries, have gained some ground but we are still in the driving seat with three regular games to go. On the face of it we have to get fourteen points from the three games against Bath, Leeds & Quins to definitely secure third place and a place in the playoffs. However when you consider the way Glos have been playing and the fact that they still have to play both Wasps and Bath (with Irish being their third game) we may need far fewer points than that target of fourteen. So all in all Sundays defeat not such a setback as first thought and I still think we are sitting pretty for that third spot. I fancy Wasps might still overhaul Bath at the top so there is a potential clash in the West Country on the horizon if not it is back to the Causeway. The big question is, if the game is at the ‘Wreck’ will we be getting any tickets?

FREE WEEKEND

With Saints having bowed out at the group stage of the Heineken Cup it is yet another free weekend for us coming up. With it being Easter I’m sure most of you will be spending time with your family, mowing the lawn, washing the car etc (what fun eh?) but don’t forget your weekend need not be totally rugby free with all four quarter finals on the box from Friday through Sunday.
In my mind Toulouse already have one toe in the final at Twickenham on the 23rd of May where the form book suggests they will meet Wasps or Munster. Personally, much as we all like the Munster mob, after that game in 2000, I would like to see a Wasps v Toulouse final in what could be one of the best finals on paper ever in the competition, a game for the purists that I would be quite happy to pay to see.

WANDERERS

The club have announced the details of the two-legged final of the Zurich A League against Quins.
The second leg takes place at the Gardens on Tuesday April 27th with a 7:45 kick off, I’m sure I will see you all there. If you want to follow the team down to the Stoop for the first leg its is on Easter Monday evening at 7:30. Being a Bank Holiday there is disruption to the train service and it looks at the very least like six hours travelling to get you there and back if you’re thinking of letting the train take the strain. It looks like the only feasible option is by road. Remember to give yourselves plenty of time as Monday evening will be the time the whole world and his brother return from their weekends away. The supporters club are thinking of running a coach but at time of writing details are not finalised, please look on our websites message board (www.comeonyousaints.com) for any possible updates. Good luck Wanderers!

NEW COACHES

So Alan Solomons has confirmed his coaching panel for next season. Not only does Aussie Frank Ponissi join us as skills coach but also Solomons forwards coach at Ulster, new Zealander Adrian Kennedy, will be following him to the Gardens. Now Solly describes Kennedy as a “hard nosed and abrasive coach” which may be somewhat of an understatement as on investigation it seems that he learnt his trade under New Zealand legend Alex ‘Grizz’ Wylie.

Grizz it seems is to diplomacy and negotiation what Austin Healey is to modesty. A few years ago his I read his biography and there are more tales about the guy than I’ve had hot dinners. One famous one which sums up the man was that at a club game one of his props had the top part of his ear ripped off so Grizz just taped round the bleeding wound and sent the player back on. The bleeding became so profuse that the tape kept coming off so the player left the field saying to Wylie he really felt he needed stitches to stem the flow. Wylie apparently in typical fashion told him to b***** off and he would find somebody that really wanted to play for the club.

The stories about firing a shotgun through a hotel wall and laying out a troublesome spectator only added to his legendary status and if Adrian Kennedy is half as ‘hard nosed and abrasive’ I can see our forwards are in for some hard, hard graft. But maybe at the end of the day we as a club will be all the better for it.

April 16 2004 (2)

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
April 16 2004

Well its good to be back, isn’t it? After a few weeks away from the hallowed turf, a Saturday afternoon at the Gardens made a very welcome return to blow the cobwebs away.

The team continued their rich vein of form with a comfortable victory though we did look a bit ring rusty and were guilty on the odd occasion of overcooking things but all in all a job done and another step onwards.

Perhaps we should just be grateful as a win is a win and with Gloucester going down at Sale on the Friday evening we now have the luxury of a six point cushion, which in reality means we can afford to lose a game and still preserve our third place and not only a place in the playoffs but also that coveted place in next seasons Heineken Cup.

Of course finally and most importantly it also gives us a tilt at the title. And quite simply as someone said at the weekend, win our next six games and we are champions! Easy isn’t it?
If only, if only…………..

So with just four league games remaining, Bath & Quins at home, Wasps and Leeds away it all hangs finely in the balance but just like last season everything could go down to the wire.

And as for the game, who was at the forefront yet again on Saturday?. Yes that man Reihana. Spruce Bruce is really on fire at the moment and is rightfully getting the plaudits but hard on his heels against Sarries were two more New Zealanders who last week signed extended contracts at the club, Matt Lord and Sharky Robinson.

Sharky was his usual exuberant self, clearing up and creating all over the shop while Lordy is rapidly becoming one of the best ‘back four’ locks in the division. Whatever this season brings and whatever new faces may arrive over the summer months, the post Smudger years do indeed look brighter than was first envisaged.

ANOTHER RETIREMENT THROUGH INJURY

It’s a shame to hear that Steve Williams may be retiring from the game at seasons end because of wear and tear on his not so aged limbs. This will bring to three, after Budge Poutney and Renaud Peillard the players the Saints have lost through injury this term. There’s no doubt in the last half dozen years not only has the game progressed but it has become a much tougher physical contact sport.

The sobering news of Ireland U19 player John McCall losing his life while playing in South Africa last weekend really hits home the point of what these lads lay on the line each week for our entertainment. Of course none of them are complaining and they play the game because they love it, bumps bruises and all but perhaps it would do us all good to spare an odd thought now then of just what the players potentially put at risk. I would imagine Steve, Renaud and Budge has enough experience to carry on at some level in the game, the player that breaks his leg at 20 is not going to be so lucky.

With a new age of purely professional players that never knew the amateur era now on the scene the emphasis of having a fallback career has never been so important, something, thankfully the Saints excel in. Good luck Steve on your retirement and in the nicest possible way I hope you’re one of the last of a diminishing breed.

CLONING

I know this might sound daft, but are the RFU cloning referees? On Saturday a few of us were sure Ashley Rowden started the match running the line in front of the Tetleys. Now young Ashley is not averse to standing in C Block of the Gordon Terrace when he’s not officiating at a game so we were sure our eyes were not deceiving us. But lo and behold, after referee ‘Maybe’ Maybank had done his dying swan act and had to be replaced by said touch judge at half time, who should run out to replace ‘Ash’ but Ash. Yes Ashley Rowden!

The likeness was uncanny but on checking the programme we found the original ‘Ashley’ was indeed Martin Fox a new ref on the block but this left us wondering. Is there a secret RFU directive that all refs must have the same haircut (a bit like a rugby version of the Chuckle Brothers) or have the powers that be secured the DNA secrets of Dolly the Sheep? I just have this nightmare scenario floating around my mind that deep in the bowels of Twickenham there’s a whole army of cloned Steve Landers waiting to released on an unsuspecting public.
It just doesn’t bear thinking about.

LOOKING AHEAD

So it’s all down to South Bucks on Sunday for the second versus third clash as the Saints take on Wasps. It’s a defining game for both sides, if Wasps secure the points they may also have secured at least second spot whereas if we upset the applecart we are well and truly breathing down their necks so it is all there to play for.

With both sides getting back to full strength it looks like being one hell of a game and as I type this news is that tickets are going fast so make sure you book early. If you are travelling, there is, as usual, disruption on the trains so road is by far the best option. However, as those of you that have been to the Causeway before will know, parking and access can be a bit of a nightmare so if you can head off early to secure a space. If you are a latecomer your best option is to park at High Wycombe railway station and make use of the courtesy buses to and from the ground.

The Saints Supporters Club are running coaches to Wasps, leaving Franklin’s Gardens (from the VIP car park) at 11:30am.
The prices are:Adults: £12, Children/Students/OAPs: £7, call Jean Collingwood on 01604 583283, with your name, telephone number and the number of seats before the end of today (Wednesday) if you wish to travel.

See you there.

SORRY

..........and finally an apology. What the "Dickens" was I thinking about? Not content with getting my Quinnell brothers mixed up a month or so back last week I inadvertently misnamed one a friend, one of the organisers of Jon Phillip's Quiz Night.

My apologies therefore to Phil Hollis who helped make the evening such a great success and to Phil's father for denying his son immortality in print seven days ago. Now the last thing I want is to upset Mr Hollis Senior because by my reckoning his viewing takes my readers tally into double figures.



.

April 16th 2004

Northampton Saints - Thoughts from the Chron
By Chris Gleadell
April 16 2004

On Sunday we head into the final stretch of the season against table toppers Bath. To say that Baths season has come as a bit of a surprise is somewhat of an understatement but after two years of struggling against relegation with just a month to go they still find themselves top of the pile.

So much as it pains me to say its hats off to Bath on a big turnaround in fortunes.
It seems that John Connolly has done wonders with a squad that at season start looked like the proverbial motley crew, a mixed bag of players who were unwanted at other clubs or some that were simply unheard of in the English game. It has certainly been their pack that has led the way with the likes Gloucester outcast Rob Fidler but more crucially No.8 Isaac Feaunati who having been just a bit part player for other Zurich teams has really come to the fore for Bath and is having an outstanding season. It is not just rejuvenated old heads that has seen them return as a force in the game, youngsters Matt Stevens and Olly Barkley have really come into their own too and gained international honours for their efforts. So a real test of character for the lads on Sunday but one that I am hoping and praying we will win in style more than most.

Now of course having had a such good time after a few years in the doldrums you would think that that everyone from that part of the West Country would be taking their new found fortune in good grace and be magnanimous in victory but sadly not. As I reported two weeks ago the tirade from a certain element goes on. Not content with insinuating that several clubs, including Saints, were breaking the wage cap and making a mountain out of a molehill about ticketing arrangements some of their less than enlightened fans have this week tried to inflame the situation by calling us ‘big game chokers’ and accusing the team of running up white flags against Wasps.

Now from where I am sitting Bath have not won a bean yet this season so their supporters have no grounds for this arrogant stance but I would sure like to see our lads kick their proverbial backside this weekend at least hard enough for their fans to stop talking out of it for a while.

THE RUMOUR MILL

Well the old rumour mill just keeps grinding on and on. I don’t know if it’s a knock on effect from soccer with its daily on/off deals but those with over imaginative minds really seem to have got their teeth into rugby lately. Not content with trying to trade Daws with just about every club within twenty miles of London, which it seems had not a single grain of truth in it as he still has a year of his current contract to run, it now seems just about every player on the market, (and some that are not) are moving in the Gardens. It seems we are going to have rather a crowded midfield next year because according the ‘in the know’ and ‘done deal’ merchants Steve Kefu, Graham Bond, Mike Catt and Tana Umaga are all joining us next season. Others still touted to be on their way are John Rudd, Corne Krige and Selbourne Boome. I guess we will just have to wait and see which one is spotted first in the Weedon Road but if we see more than two or three of the above I will be surprised.

One player definitely on his way to the Gardens is Springbok A wing Wylie Human who has already been dubbed ‘Coyote’ by some supporters. Time to dig out that ‘Acme’ catalogue no doubt!

It was also good to hear that Paul Grayson is staying with the club, rather than moving to Newcastle to put that young upstart Wilkinsons game right, and even better to hear one of his reasons for staying were that his lads had strong local accents that he did not want them to lose.

So for the junior Graysons it’s still aroite m’duck instead of howay the lads. What better reason is there for staying at the Saints but Paul perhaps you can persuade Andy Blowers to come round to your way of thinking in the next twelve months too?

FAREWELL

Two more players have announced they will be leaving the Gardens at seasons end. John Leslie hopes to move on to France to carry on a career in the game. I had a lot of time for John’s game and whilst never being the flashiest of players he certainly has the rugby brain in the middle of the park, his organisation, graft and tackle count are testament to that and from a fans point of view it was sad to see the Leslie, Bateman centre pairing broken up way too early. Personally I have always thought that John would have been the ideal ‘missing link’ to play with Gregor Townsend too, the man on his shoulder we never seemed to have.

The second player to go is Nick Beal. Nicks calling this his final year and will be hopping across the fence to watch the game instead of playing it. He has been a long time servant at the club and has come back from more than a few injuries, including the broken leg at Sarries and that clash of heads with ex-Saint Matt Allen at Cardiff that would have had others thinking of giving up entirely. I always though Nick never really got the rub of the green with England in the late 90’s but arguably saved his purple patch for the autumn of his career, his booming kicks will live long in the memory and who will ever forget that monster of a drop goal at Welford Road earlier this season. So now for Nick it’s a life in finance and a little more time on the golf course and going by Tiger Woods display last weekend in Augusta I guess word that Nick was hanging up his boots and aiming to cut that handicap had already reached his ears.

So good luck Nick and John in all your future endeavours.