This time around, both teams were hoping for a semi-final in
a different competition. It was a must win for both teams, with a full
dependence on the Cardiff v Leicester fixture deciding the fate of the other
team in their pool. A win by Cardiff would have eliminated the Saints, and
similarly, Leicester’s victory would have ruled out Wasps. The planning gods
seemed to conspire against today’s fixture as the second Cardiff fixture of the
weekend started half an hour before the Northampton kick off.
Now, bare with me through this. I have experimented with a style of match reporting. And sadly, I could not include the post match interviews I was privy to in this post, however, they will come soon! Promise!!
A mixed experience squad for both sides had a stronger
bench, ready to make an impact when they were needed. Just prior to kick off, a
murmur went around the crowd about the half time score from Cardiff. Leicester
were 9-15 up against the Blues, but this fact was not communicated to the
players. They knew they had a job to do, and the other results were out of
their hands.
The pitch conditions were relatively dry, but very cold and
soft underfoot. The grass was also cut very short, but the squads seemed
reasonably comfortable to go ahead.
Throughout the match, I made notes according to a timeline
as the game played out, mostly due to the cold freezing my right hand!
Wasps kicked off, straight down the throat of Tuala. The
Samoan’s first touch was to clear the ball fifty meters into touch, much to the
satisfaction of the crowd.
1: Wasps took the lineout, but referee Steve Lee penalised
the Saints for pulling the arm in the air. Lozowski cleared to touch and a
second lineout took place, settling into a driving maul. Wasps targeted the
midfield to attack, but a Varndell knock on brought the attack to a halt.
3: Northampton’s scrum showed the teachings from the England
camp, with Corbisiero showing the “Tower of Power” excellently.
4: Wasps penalty. As I was praising Corbs, he was spotted to
be driving at an angle and penalised by Lee.
5: Lozowski has no hesitation in taking the points and slots
the penalty easily. 0-3
As Olver restarts, the Wasps knock on, and the ball is
recovered by Fotuali’i. A phase of attacking play is disrupted as Olver slipped
and the ball goes loose backwards.
6: The ensuing ruck is cleared by a Fotuali’I box kick into
touch. However the Saints steal the ball from the following lineout.
7: TRY for the Saints, and on debut, Tuala dots down in the
corner. A series of clever running lines and fancy footwork from Stephenson,
followed by a cheeky offload led to Tuala’s first try with his second touch.
8: Olver converts from the corner, bringing the score to 7-3
11: A passage of midfield play runs smoothly, a cry of
crossing goes up. Lee ignores the calls though, as the infringement made not
material effect to the game. As Wasps attack, solid Northampton defence
eventually force a knock on from Wasps. Immediately before the scrum, Wasps
substitute. Bassett and Yapp leave the
field, replaced by Eastwell and McIntyre respectively.
12: Northampton win the scrum and a game of kick tennis
follows. Eventually, Tuala clears forward, the ball claimed by K. Pisi. But
Wasps force the ball into touch.
13: Wasps in their own line out, and Thompson demonstrates
his power, smashing through the midfield. The ball is cleared to the
Northampton 10m line, won by the Saints.
16: Varndell tries to make some barnstorming runs, but K.
Pisi covers him well. An eventual penalty for Wasps is given for sealing off
the ball, but the kick fails to find touch and bounces into the in goal area.
Saints take a 22 drop out.
18: A Wasps line out frees up Varndell to run around K.
Pisi, forcing himself towards the try line. His break is ended by a chip ahead
covered well by Elliott, and cleared by Fotuali’i. Another Wasps line out is
passed out to Varndell, who offloads to Lindsay. His clear run down field gains
Wasps 30 metres and Wasps look dangerous.
20: Another penalty for Wasps, following an offside
infringement from Denman, offers easy points for Lozowski to kick. 7-6
21: Pressure from the restart force Wasps to knock on, and
the Saints attack with advantage. The attack ends with a penalty for the Saints
for an offside infringement. The penalty is taken from a similar spot as the
penalty Lozowski just scored. Olver converts the points, the score is now 10-6.
24: As play resumes, an eventual box kick from Fotuali’i
goes directly into touch, giving Wasps the lineout on the halfway line. During
yet another injury time, I notice Dia Young and Andy Goode further along my
bench looking stoic as ever.
25: Wasps win the lineout and set the driving maul. A
penalty is given to Wasps as a Saints player runs in from the side, resulting
in a kick to the corner.
26: Before the lineout, Corbisiero is substituted for
Waller. The Lion appears to be limping but nothing is confirmed as of yet.
28: Wasps gain a penalty as Ryder doesn’t release his player
after a tackle, and Lozowski kicks to touch.
I managed to capture a passage of play on video around the 30th minute, so I think I'd rather show you than talk about it.
32: Northampton take a penalty after a Wasps scrum is
penalised for standing up under pressure. The lineout is taken on the halfway
line, but Craig, on return from a long injury layoff, fumbles backwards, picked
up by Wasps.
34: Another scrum penalty to Northampton after McIntyre is
spotted not driving straight. Olver clears for a lineout in Wasps 22.
36: TRY Northampton. Dowson scores after a well worked move,
with some lovely running lines leading the way. Olver converts, the score now
17-6.
Alex Waller trots onto the pitch as waterboy for the day,
encouraging his brother and his teammates.
37: A restart to Fotuali’I pushes for a lineout, and referee
Lee seems to be impatient with Wasps taking their time to join the lineout.
38: Wasps on the attack again, but Varndell’s long miss-pass
finds only touch. Dickinson takes the lineout and offloads to Fotuali’i. His
box kick pushes Wasps back, and a knock on, followed by a half volley, gains 10
metres for the Saints. Daly tries to clear and his kick finds Pisi, who runs it
back into the midfield.
40: Wasps apply pressure, but eventually concede the
penalty. Saints kick to touch and the teams run into the warmth of the changing
rooms.
Halftime and the score is 17-6 to Northampton. The news next
to me is the Cardiff/Leicester score stands at 9-27. As it stands, the Saints
would qualify for the knock outs.
As time ticks on during the half time, the Tigers score
further, all but guaranteeing the semi-finals for Northampton. If they do make
the semis, the Saints will certainly be playing away.
40: Teams are back out, and the match resumes, with Olver
kicking to start. The ball bounces on, and eventually crosses the line, giving
a 22 drop out for Wasps.
41: A second Olver kick ends up bouncing over the goal line,
but this time goes all the way, and goes back for a scrum on the Wasps 10metre
line.
43: Two restarts later, and the Saints win the scrum against
the head. They go wide, and push for the line. A ruck in the 22 presents the
ball for Fotuali’i, who kicks over the top to be gathered by Elliott. He dives
over the line, and gives the Saints a welcome gap from the Wasps. Olver moves
the advertising boards to line up his kick from outwide, not helped by Elliott
not going in field. The kick goes wide and the score stands at 22-6.
46: A passage of play leading to Pisi kicking the ball out
to touch shows that both teams are still willing to play and contest. One Wasps
lineout is stolen by Dowson, then a second (immediately after the kick) leads
to a knock on. Northampton’s scrum is so dominant, another penalty comes for
the men in green. Olver clears for touch, and a lineout near the Wasps 5 metre
line puts them under pressure.
48: TRY Northampton. The lineout is taken cleanly, and a
blistering run from Waldouck ends just shy of the try line. However, Fotuali’i
is far quicker than any Wasps defender and darts over the line to score. Olver’s conversion nips over, the score now
29-6.
50: Wasps ring the changes, switching Lindsay, Taylor and
Rowlands for Festuccia, Cooper-Woolley and Myall.
52: After some more excellent ball skills from Tuala, Myall
demonstrates his strength and pushes through the Saints defensive line, gaining
40 metres.
53: News breaks from the chap next to me that the Tigers
have won, gaining a home semi-final. Simultaneously, this eliminates Wasps from
contention. The Saints subs start to strip off, but the defence is needed first
off to protect the line. Four phases of play, and the defence pays off as
Fotuali’i intercepts, breaking away with Pisi in hot pursuit. The play is
broken by Denman entering a ruck from the side, so Wasps kick to touch.
54: Saints sub Williams and Craig for Haywood and Woolford.
Both players have had a great game and will be expected to play a part for
Saints next week against London Irish. The Wasps lineout leads to a strong
attack, but a try saving tackle by Waldouck must frustrate the men in Yellow.
55: Varndell appears livid as a four on two overlap goes
unnoticed by Jackson. Had it been noticed, Varndell would have been certainly
been in for the try.
56: A Wasps knock on leads to a Northampton scrum as both
teams substitute again. For the Saints, Ma’afu and Nutley come on for Denman
and Harrison, whilst Wasps bring on Hughes for Miller, with Lozowski going to
fullback. A light rain starts to fall, as the Saints put into the scrum. A few
resets later and Dickinson darts out the back.
59: Elliott knocks on the air and the ball runs into touch.
Wasps opt for the lineout, but another penalty following the lineout to Wasps
ends any Northampton attack. In the break, Northampton bring on Day and G Pisi
for Fotuali’i and Stephenson, both of which have shown their skill today.
60: A Saints lineout near the 5 metre line turns into a
rolling maul, which is stopped by Wasps then turned over for a scrum. Wasps
gain a free kick for an early engage from the Saints, but opt for the scrum
again. Gash takes a seat as Wasps bring on Walsh. The next scrum results in a
penalty for Wasps as Waller is penalised for his driving angle. Wasps kick to
the corner.
64: The lineout is won by Wasps and they go on the attack. Another
penalty for Wasps is given for a Saints player falling off his feet. The next
lineout is won by Wasps and they set the maul. It drops to ground, and Hughes
spots a dogleg in the Saints defence, he charges through, and gains significant
ground. Wasps attempt to kick ahead, but Dickinson pretends he is a
basketballer and stretches to pinch the ball.
67: Myall shows his strength again as he darts through a
gap, but as he is tackled, he drops the ball, and Waldouck clears to touch.
69: Both teams empty their benches, bringing on Hooley for
Olver and Hughes for Young.
70: Varndell demonstrates his experience and speed, targeting
the overlap on the Saints right wing. However, a try saving tackle from Day
slides him into touch. Dickinson wins the lineout, but the play breaks down
scrappily, eventually cleared by Day.
71: Pressure from the Saints forces a knock on by Wasps,
leading to a free kick as the Wasps front row infringe. Opting for the scrum,
Saints win the penalty as Cooper-Woolley collapses. The lineout is taken 10
metres out. Woolford takes the ball cleanly, and Saints have advantage. No
advantage is gained, and Saints kick to the corner for a lineout.
75: The resulting lineout is taken by Ryder and sets up a
maul. Unfortunately, Haywood fumbles forward at the back, so the scrum goes to
Wasps. It is cleared from the back, and Northampton win the following lineout.
However the ball is turned over in the loose but the Saints force the Coventry
men backwards and into touch.
77: Wasps steal the lineout, but a pass to Varndell goes
forward. Saints win the scrum and go wide, but get penalised for not releasing
the ball. Wasps go for the lineout as we go into the last minute.
79: N. Hughes wins the ball at the lineout, but a clash of
heads stops play as Dowson goes down. He gets back to his feet though, and
Wasps put into the scrum. However, as the game goes into the last play, Saints
defence knocks the ball out of Wasps hands, ending the game.
Final score: Northampton 29 – 6 Wasps.
The Man of the Match goes to Khan Fotuali’I for his clever
kicking, interception, and his quick thinking to score the try, but it could
easily have been given to Ahsee Tuala. His debut was stunning, endearing
himself to the fans very quickly with his big kicking boot and his early try.
Samoan Strength Shine for Saints
Now, having seen the Saracens fixture against Exeter, the
Saints will now go away to Allianz Park for their semi-final, a reversal of
last year’s LV cup semi-final, and the same line up as last year’s final.
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