Okay no silverware this time round but given the disarray we were in at the end of the Solomon’s reign and the way we only just clung on to top flight status last season this term has to be viewed as a huge plus.
To be back as a top six of the Guinness Premiership and by that placing qualify for the 2006/2007 Heineken Cup the Saints are back up where they belong but more importantly the foundations and building blocks for what looks like an exciting future have been put in place.
We’ve seen some great games, the recent clashes with Leicester and Bath at the Gardens spring to mind whilst I’m sure no one there will ever forget Carlos and his overhead kick in the demolition of Saracens.
Of course it wasn’t all plain sailing. Looking at the results it was a season of two halves. Whilst we were playing some entertaining rugby at the start of the season we were more often than not shipping more points than we were scoring and the serial whingers and moaners were having a field day (where are they now eh?). For me the seeds of the turning point came in early December in the Powergen Cup game against Tigers at Welford Road . Yes maybe another defeat but for the first time of the season we saw forward play overshadow what our backs were doing. The pack somewhat came of age that day as they fought toe to toe with the Leicester eight and for most of the game gave as good as they got.
On this platform our season gradually improved and indeed as someone pointed out this week, if the season had started at Christmas we would have topped the table a momentum it is hoped we will take into next September and the following months.
As for the players, each and every one has acquitted themselves well. In the front row Pat Barnard just looks like he may be our Garry Pagel whilst Tom Smith had one of his best seasons for the club and just like Gary Pearce may go on and on and on, on his current form. Chris Budgen also had his best season for the club. At hooker Wally takes the summer off to recharge those batteries but next season it could be a battle royal to be his understudy with the ever able Dan Richmond and young Dylan Hartley going head to head.
In the second row Damo Browne has come on leaps and bounds this season and is twice the player he was last year. Matt Lord, ever dependable and still a bit of an unsung hero always gives his all whilst I have a suspicion we may see a lot more of Frenchman David Gerard next season and it will be a welcome sight to see James Percival back on the paddock at some time.
A completely new backrow has come into its own in recent weeks. The other Browne, Daniel has made the No.8 shirt his own whilst alongside him fellow Kiwi Sam Harding and Ben Lewitt vie for the openside slot. At blindside we have what could be the most astute signing of the season in Paul Tupai. He is seen somewhat by most supporters as the ‘enforcer’ that Saints have been missing in recent years. His hard nosed no nonsense attitude shouldn’t detract from the fact that he’s a fair ball player too when needed and I think the guys well on the way to being a new Gardens favourite.
At halfback we had the former All Black combination of Sharky and Carlos.
The pair look to have a great understanding and Sharky looks like he enjoys playing inside his old team mate.
Carlos of course came with a huge reputation but not only did he live up to it but in some respects even exceeded it. As an entertainer there is none better, some of the things we have seen this year defy belief but the guy also has an astute rugby brain and his timing and vision that makes him in my mind the best player I’ve ever seen in the gold, black and green.
At centre Dave Quinlan looked solid and the kind of organiser we missed so much when John Leslie left whilst outside him young Jon Clarke has been a revelation. JC had somewhat disappeared down the pecking order as a back three player but hats off to Paul Grayson who switched him to outside centre where he has been one of the form players of the season and been touted as a future international.
And to that back three of Ben Cohen, Bruce Reihana and Sean Lamont. Well at full tilt they must scare the hell out of the opposition and in the last few weeks it looks like the trio are building a rappore and understanding (even if they do keep nicking each others tries), I’m expecting big things next year.
With the likes of Seamus Mallon, Robbie Kydd also to return we look like we have a squad to compete and whilst there may be minor tinkering over the summer we have the backbone of a potentially great Saints side, time will tell. I have not mentioned all the players and apologies to those I didn’t but each and every one of you did us proud this season.
And so in signing off for another season, thanks to all of you for reading these ramblings for the last few months. Enjoy your summer, we have a lot o look forward too come September.
To be back as a top six of the Guinness Premiership and by that placing qualify for the 2006/2007 Heineken Cup the Saints are back up where they belong but more importantly the foundations and building blocks for what looks like an exciting future have been put in place.
We’ve seen some great games, the recent clashes with Leicester and Bath at the Gardens spring to mind whilst I’m sure no one there will ever forget Carlos and his overhead kick in the demolition of Saracens.
Of course it wasn’t all plain sailing. Looking at the results it was a season of two halves. Whilst we were playing some entertaining rugby at the start of the season we were more often than not shipping more points than we were scoring and the serial whingers and moaners were having a field day (where are they now eh?). For me the seeds of the turning point came in early December in the Powergen Cup game against Tigers at Welford Road . Yes maybe another defeat but for the first time of the season we saw forward play overshadow what our backs were doing. The pack somewhat came of age that day as they fought toe to toe with the Leicester eight and for most of the game gave as good as they got.
On this platform our season gradually improved and indeed as someone pointed out this week, if the season had started at Christmas we would have topped the table a momentum it is hoped we will take into next September and the following months.
As for the players, each and every one has acquitted themselves well. In the front row Pat Barnard just looks like he may be our Garry Pagel whilst Tom Smith had one of his best seasons for the club and just like Gary Pearce may go on and on and on, on his current form. Chris Budgen also had his best season for the club. At hooker Wally takes the summer off to recharge those batteries but next season it could be a battle royal to be his understudy with the ever able Dan Richmond and young Dylan Hartley going head to head.
In the second row Damo Browne has come on leaps and bounds this season and is twice the player he was last year. Matt Lord, ever dependable and still a bit of an unsung hero always gives his all whilst I have a suspicion we may see a lot more of Frenchman David Gerard next season and it will be a welcome sight to see James Percival back on the paddock at some time.
A completely new backrow has come into its own in recent weeks. The other Browne, Daniel has made the No.8 shirt his own whilst alongside him fellow Kiwi Sam Harding and Ben Lewitt vie for the openside slot. At blindside we have what could be the most astute signing of the season in Paul Tupai. He is seen somewhat by most supporters as the ‘enforcer’ that Saints have been missing in recent years. His hard nosed no nonsense attitude shouldn’t detract from the fact that he’s a fair ball player too when needed and I think the guys well on the way to being a new Gardens favourite.
At halfback we had the former All Black combination of Sharky and Carlos.
The pair look to have a great understanding and Sharky looks like he enjoys playing inside his old team mate.
Carlos of course came with a huge reputation but not only did he live up to it but in some respects even exceeded it. As an entertainer there is none better, some of the things we have seen this year defy belief but the guy also has an astute rugby brain and his timing and vision that makes him in my mind the best player I’ve ever seen in the gold, black and green.
At centre Dave Quinlan looked solid and the kind of organiser we missed so much when John Leslie left whilst outside him young Jon Clarke has been a revelation. JC had somewhat disappeared down the pecking order as a back three player but hats off to Paul Grayson who switched him to outside centre where he has been one of the form players of the season and been touted as a future international.
And to that back three of Ben Cohen, Bruce Reihana and Sean Lamont. Well at full tilt they must scare the hell out of the opposition and in the last few weeks it looks like the trio are building a rappore and understanding (even if they do keep nicking each others tries), I’m expecting big things next year.
With the likes of Seamus Mallon, Robbie Kydd also to return we look like we have a squad to compete and whilst there may be minor tinkering over the summer we have the backbone of a potentially great Saints side, time will tell. I have not mentioned all the players and apologies to those I didn’t but each and every one of you did us proud this season.
And so in signing off for another season, thanks to all of you for reading these ramblings for the last few months. Enjoy your summer, we have a lot o look forward too come September.
