European Challenge Cup

[Saint N Sinner]

Woohooo.

Saints go back up to top by beating Narbonne at home 32-20.
And following in 2nd are Bristol, both teams equall on 11 points.

Try's came from Bruce Reihana, Sam Harding, Bruce again, and johnny Howard.

Harding's try was a corker, it was basically first phase from the lineout. Sharky, to Carlos, he went around the defence, popped it to Bruce who went round many more, and then to pop it to Harding and dived under the posts.

Saints dominated the pack and the phases until the later stages to concede 13 points in the last ten minutes.

The first Narbonne try was certainly questionable. Us being the in the terrace practically in line with the try line, we saw the ball fall short and at first we thought a penalty had been given but instead gave a try instead which they converted.

Apart from that, Saints have improved highly and are moving on.

Your thoughts?

P.S This thread isnt just about Northampton its a KO for the ECC thread, as one hasn't been created yet.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Harding's try was a corker, it was basically first phase from the lineout. Sharky, to Carlos, he went around the defence, popped it to Bruce who went round many more, and then to pop it to Harding and dived under the posts.[/b]

No it wasn't. It was from broken play, Carlos took on a couple of Narbonne forwards, scissored with Reihana who then cut back inside to feed Harding.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Saints dominated the pack and the phases until the later stages to concede 13 points in the last ten minutes.[/b]

No we didn't. Our forwards got absolutely battered, hence the two tries from driving maul, and the fatc that our scrum couldn't cope with the pressure being put on it for most of the game.






We play like that in the Prem and we'll get slaughtered. At least we ran the ball, but there were far too many mistakes. Although Narbonne still never looked like beating us, because luckily they had nothing in the backs.

 

[harrison2468]

Bristol beat Vianda with the second-team mostly, to leave us and Northampton in equal positions. Dan Ward-Smith showing his potential with 2 tries.

Tbh, the big game is Northampton in France next week, since this could decide the outcome. I think Bristol will take 5 points, as they will field a full strength team and will be at home, but if Northampton win, they will top the group. However, if they lose, I can see Bristol coming top by claiming a bonus point at Franklin's Gardens. This is the hardest group though, and I would think that both teams will come through.

 

[Bullitt]

Originally posted by SaintsFan_Webby@Dec 10 2005, 09:17 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Harding's try was a corker, it was basically first phase from the lineout. Sharky, to Carlos, he went around the defence, popped it to Bruce who went round many more, and then to pop it to Harding and dived under the posts.

No it wasn't. It was from broken play, Carlos took on a couple of Narbonne forwards, scissored with Reihana who then cut back inside to feed Harding. [/b][/quote]
Actually, Ben got that right.

 

[Saint N Sinner]

Thank you

 

[An Tarbh]

Connacht going down to Worcester yesterday by 10 points, might be a different story though next week, plus that win in Montpellier should stand to Connacht especially with Worcester facing 2 tricky away ties. Either way though both Connacht and Worcester should qualify for the quarters.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Originally posted by Teh Mite+Dec 11 2005, 04:16 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Teh Mite @ Dec 11 2005, 04:16 PM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-SaintsFan_Webby

@Dec 10 2005, 09:17 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE

Harding's try was a corker, it was basically first phase from the lineout. Sharky, to Carlos, he went around the defence, popped it to Bruce who went round many more, and then to pop it to Harding and dived under the posts.

No it wasn't. It was from broken play, Carlos took on a couple of Narbonne forwards, scissored with Reihana who then cut back inside to feed Harding. [/b]

Actually, Ben got that right. [/b][/quote]
It wasn't first phase lineout. Spencer wouldn't have been faced with a lock and an 8 to go round if it had been first phase lineout.

 

[An Tarbh]

Day of easy wins for the home teams in the Challenge Cup, Connacht comfortably seeing off Montpellier at the Sportsground this afternoon, should see them through to the quarter finals with only Catania at home next weekend.

Northampton hammering Bristol with Ben Cohen picking up a brace as they romped to a 45-8 victory.

Worcester also had a comfortable victory against Catania, but they should come away with victory next weekend in Montpellier to see them through as pool winners ahead of Connacht.

Gloucester and Northampton look like good bets at this stage although I wouldn't write off Worcester just yet.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Originally posted by An Tarbh@Jan 14 2006, 07:04 PM
Northampton hammering Bristol with Ben Cohen picking up a brace as they romped to a 45-8 victory.

It may have been a weakened Bristol side, but we still played some breathtaking rugby.

All our tries were beautifully crafted, and I couldn't fault anyone. Except Rudd when he came on.

Spencer was at his brilliant best and was a joy to watch, Cohen and Robinson were on fine form, and the forwards played a very controlled game.

Only disappointment was inuries to Myring and Lamont, just hope they aren't too serious.

If we play like we did today against Leeds in the Prem, we'll absolutely hammer them.

 

[Bullitt]

^^^^
Even Rudd played well today.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Originally posted by Teh Mite@Jan 14 2006, 08:43 PM
^^^^
Even Rudd played well today.

I'm usually the first to stick up for him, but he really didn't play very well today. No real breaks, and could have offloaded the ball on several occasions in good attacking possession.

 

[Bullitt]

I never said he was outstanding, but he was solid defensively (for once) and had an all round good game.

He's still a long way off his form he was showing at the end of last season though, which is mostly down to confidence.

 

[Saint N Sinner]

They 15 mean on the pitch played as a team, and I wish we get to see that more often.


Although hte Brizzle side was very young, you cannot take credit away from either team.

Northampton played extremely well, even Rudd had a good game...

And Bristol kept us out for long periods but we just had a outbreack of tries that really showed we where the better and better structured eam on the day.

 

[Saint N Sinner]

Up to Italy tonight. Hopefully we can come away with the 4 points at least and get a home draw in the quarter's.

 

[harrison2468]

Originally posted by Air Ben@Jan 20 2006, 10:12 AM
Up to Italy tonight. Hopefully we can come away with the 4 points at least and get a home draw in the quarter's.

If we do qualify, then hopefully we won't meet in the QF, which would take it to 5 meetings.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Viadana - Northampton has been called off due to a frozen pitch. Inspection to take place tomorrow morning to see if a 1pm kick-off is possible.

We'll take the 5 points without having to play thanks

 

[harrison2468]

Originally posted by SaintsFan_Webby@Jan 20 2006, 05:59 PM
We'll take the 5 points without having to play thanks

Why don't you split the points in half, you get 2.5 and so do Viadana. Then everyone will be happy.

When does the game have until to be played.

 

[SaintsFan_Webby]

Originally posted by harrison2468+Jan 20 2006, 07:07 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (harrison2468 @ Jan 20 2006, 07:07 PM)</div>

<!--QuoteBegin-SaintsFan_Webby

@Jan 20 2006, 05:59 PM
We'll take the 5 points without having to play thanks 

Why don't you split the points in half, you get 2.5 and so do Viadana. Then everyone will be happy.

When does the game have until to be played. [/b]

No idea. But if Leeds can get away with it by refusing to play then why can't we? Saves us getting any more injuries, and means more time to play for the next match.

Stupid rules, but ERC have set a precedent by awarding Leeds the bonus point victory, and I think we should take the **** by taking full advantage of this ruling.

 

[An Tarbh]

Well unlike the HEC scenario, Viadana have already forfeited the match so Northampton will/should (after the Leeds ruling you'll never be too sure with the ******** again) get a 5 point haul.

 

[harrison2468]

If Bristol win tomorrow, then it should be the 6 GP teams, along with Bayonne and Connacht in the QF.