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Saints Vs Bristol Rugby - Saturday 7 Jan - 15:00 - Franklin's Gardens
Topic Started: Jan 3 2017, 12:29 PM (1,245 Views)
Wibble
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That was a good performance. As Elma said, Bristol got a lot of luck with quite a few poor reffing decisions. Still we kept at it and did everything we could ask. Yes it was versus Bristol but they are no mugs and we are currently 5th. Keep this up and we have a chance. But its very tight in the middle so one slip and its back down the table.

Picamoles is a monster. The forwards were great. The backs created a lot of go forwards and everyone put in a shift. Mylerband JJ work so well together.

Shame to see Jamie go off injured early on but Estelles filled in very well.
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flanker
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Listened on Radio Northampton, great coverage as usual. It sounded an excellent game. Credit to Bristol and they were unfortunate to go away with nothing. Commentators didn't see anything wrong with the Bristol tries. It sounded like Picamoles was outstanding, what a player. Lawes is getting more involved and Wood always gives it everything. Commentators were critical that several times when Bristol were under pressure near their line that we should have spread it wide when we had clear overlaps. Groom and Myler need to be more aware. Good to see North having some runs and we need to get the ball to him more often to show what he can do. Good run of three games and I'm pleased Jim has turned it round. They need to perform well against the better teams too though.
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big mac returns
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Thought it was a poor match tbh. Poor levels of skill on show. I think we just took the path of least resistance to victory, kept it tight knowing wed overpower them.

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flanker
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big mac returns
Jan 7 2017, 08:32 PM
Thought it was a poor match tbh. Poor levels of skill on show. I think we just took the path of least resistance to victory, kept it tight knowing wed overpower them.

Poor? Wasn't it open and exciting with nearly 60 points?
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ElmaFudd
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Technically speaking Mac you're probably right. But from an entertainment viewpoint it was a good match imo.
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flanker
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Ian Hunter said we'll probably finish our rightful position this year, given the squad, which is about fifth or sixth.
Edited by flanker, Jan 8 2017, 10:30 AM.
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claygavin
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GREAT WIN and next game will see us i top 4 with bonus win.

every game on betfair.com if u cant go.

Cant wait for my visit to bath now.

COYS
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Rushdensaint
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I thought Saints worked very hard today and were rewarded with a 5 point win. Bristol were fighting for their survival in the premiership and imo got away with some beneficial reffing decisisions that kept the game exciting but we stuck at it and got the result that puts us 5th in the table. Looking at the premiership games to come it is not inconceivable that 4 place is out of reach. We could rescue a bad start to our season but then really need to make some tough decisions as where we need to progress next season
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Hood56
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Anyone hear about Jamie Elliott? He looked in a lot of pain, but I didn't have the benefit of any commentators or interviews to hear anything more.

Hope its nothing too serious..
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ElmaFudd
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Dislocated shoulder apparently. Word is the popped it back in at the ground. Another few weeks off for him. Poor lad has no luck.

Talk of a possible 4th place is a bit premature imo as Mac says technically and tactically I think we are still a way off the top four yet but anything is possible I suppose.
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big mac returns
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I enjoyed no doubt and Bristol showed some real spirit. But I thought we were poor. For long periods, just used the fact their pack isn't up to scratch to ensure we got the win. Path of least resistance. Few worrying moments though so a bit of excitement for sure. Just worried that we have nothing but hard games coming up and will need to be better.
Also so unlucky for Elliot. Lad cant catch a break for a while now. Hopefully hell be back soon. Also estelles came on and did a solid job, hopefully that'll stop the calls for him to be first name on team sheet.
Edited by big mac returns, Jan 8 2017, 11:49 AM.
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ElmaFudd
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Yep. We were poor at times especially our handling which once again let us down. Definitely added to the excitement though. 1st match at the gardens all season that's held my attention for the full 80.

Anyone else think Bristol are looking like they will avoid the drop? I thought their back line was far more threatening than ours, not hard at present I know.

I know Luis got motm and I know I've been banging this drum for a few weeks now but credit to Lawes thought he had a great game. Got lucky in the first half with the tackle on their 9 but otherwise another great shift from him.
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flanker
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I hope Bristol manage to stay up. They and their fans have had a tough time in recent years.
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big mac returns
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For me there was nothing wrong with Lawes tackle, didn't go beyond angle wasn't high, ref gave nothing for it. Our shoody performance cost us 5th, tigers there on points diff..
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happyclapper
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flanker
Jan 7 2017, 12:57 PM
happyclapper
Jan 6 2017, 11:27 PM
Mallinder is not a 13.
Ok. Why not?
Lack of pace for starters. The type of player he is for seconds. The sort of natural lines and angles he runs.
He is just not the right sort of player, he would tend to drift in looking for the ball, whereas you want your 13, on the whole, to stay a bit wider, try and take the man on an outside arc.
ElmaFudd
Jan 7 2017, 06:29 PM
Was a cracking match overall two of the Bristols trys weren't but it kept it entertaining. Lets hope the momentum picks up oh and that Tigs get a pasting.
What was wrong with Bris' tries? From the highlights they all looked OK to me.
Nothing on any highlights package about Lawes tackle so can only assume it OK.

Estelles hardly featured in highlights but he was clearly at fault for the Woodward try. Caught too flat allowing the chip, didn't turn fast enough, then shrugged off by Varndell - yes... Varndell!!! Then didn't put any effort in to chase back when he should have been able to catch them.

Thought quite a few tries, ours and theirs were due to poor defending.
But, we got 5 points and we go into the EC with a bit of momentum. We need to maintain it now even if EC is dead to us, purely to hit the AW and AP running when they return.

I'd keep more or less the starting lineup but give Myler a couple of games off and give the JJ, Harry combo a run.
Edited by happyclapper, Jan 9 2017, 01:58 AM.
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Wibble
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I remember that one try came from a very forward pass and the second from the most obvious knock on i have ever seen let go... off his chest apparently ( although 14000 of us saw differently)

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ElmaFudd
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What wibble said also Varndell was mile in front when the chip was made. At least that's how it looked for us standing in line with the kick.
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big mac returns
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from my seat doesnt really alow me to comment on either.

the estelles one for me just looked like a very unlucky bounce of the ball. but he could have done better and i dont know if varndell was level.



lawes however

https://www.facebook.com/BrutalRugbyHits/videos/1199443596807553/

thats more like it!!!
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happyclapper
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I watched two different highlights packages and neither picked up on the tries.

Massive hit from Courtney there!!!
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Wibble
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Great to see Lawes back to doing what he is best at. For the past few seasons he seemed to be trying to play someone elses game (Perhaps the one Lancaster asked for) Now he is back to what made him so good. Strong tackles, disruptive in the maul and very strong carries. Lets hope he can keep it up.
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happyclapper
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Think you could be right there Wibble.
Either way, good to see him putting in big hits again!
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ElmaFudd
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I'd say Lawes carrying is stronger than its ever been. Couple of times on Saturday he made good yardage through the middle and yes it's nice to see his hits are as good as ever.
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big mac returns
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I know thats what he said eddie had told him to do, re upping his carrying. good to see. hes getting back to what made him one of the best in the world, with no kruis or launchbury hes guaranteed to start for england in my eyes. and as ive said on another thread, would not be surprised to see him in the lions squad.

thing with big hits is how often does a scrum decide to go down his channel, you'd have to be stupid!
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chesty
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Briistol looked decent in an entertaining game,they try to play rugby,i am a fan of rugby as well as saints and I could watch Bristol every week.
Ref was poor, but for both sides some of the comments here are a bit one eyed.Laws superb luis normal.Scrum half ours woefull, descision making, he can perform all the skills but not in the right order.
Didn't there backs look dangerous,Varndel allways a danger puts all our regular wingers to shame except George,he has speed.
Our centre looks defencively week.
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ElmaFudd
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I did think Groom has started to box kick more in the last couple of games. Lets hope thats just playing the conditions rather than anything else. Don't agree that he's woeful.
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Wibble
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I have been impressed by Groom. Sometimes he takes it on himself, mostly he just gets it out quick. He does box kick sometimes but no more than anyone else, and most of them are chaseable (and even better we actually chase the ball).

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chesty
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Saw different game and so did all those standing round me,he kicks more and more now and he kicks in theire half,we work it up there he kicks it away.Takes ball on sometimes, I like that, but panics when he has to make a quick descision.
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ElmaFudd
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Well that's the joy of it isn't it Chesty, if we all agreed these boards would be very quiet. I agree with you that he did kick out of hand a good amount on Saturday and not very accurately a trait all our 9s seem to gain after a bit of gametime with us. Having said that he wasn't the worst scrumhalf on display imo.
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flanker
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happyclapper
Jan 9 2017, 01:50 AM
flanker
Jan 7 2017, 12:57 PM
happyclapper
Jan 6 2017, 11:27 PM
Mallinder is not a 13.
Ok. Why not?
Lack of pace for starters. The type of player he is for seconds. The sort of natural lines and angles he runs.
He is just not the right sort of player, he would tend to drift in looking for the ball, whereas you want your 13, on the whole, to stay a bit wider, try and take the man on an outside arc.
ElmaFudd
Jan 7 2017, 06:29 PM
Was a cracking match overall two of the Bristols trys weren't but it kept it entertaining. Lets hope the momentum picks up oh and that Tigs get a pasting.
What was wrong with Bris' tries? From the highlights they all looked OK to me.
Nothing on any highlights package about Lawes tackle so can only assume it OK.

Estelles hardly featured in highlights but he was clearly at fault for the Woodward try. Caught too flat allowing the chip, didn't turn fast enough, then shrugged off by Varndell - yes... Varndell!!! Then didn't put any effort in to chase back when he should have been able to catch them.

Thought quite a few tries, ours and theirs were due to poor defending.
But, we got 5 points and we go into the EC with a bit of momentum. We need to maintain it now even if EC is dead to us, purely to hit the AW and AP running when they return.

I'd keep more or less the starting lineup but give Myler a couple of games off and give the JJ, Harry combo a run.
Interesting re Malinder. Do you think he lacks pace at full back or 10? He won the (junior) world cup didn't he playing at 10?
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happyclapper
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flanker
Jan 9 2017, 06:50 PM
Interesting re Malinder. Do you think he lacks pace at full back or 10? He won the (junior) world cup didn't he playing at 10?
No, I think he lacks pace to play 13, hence why I said he lacks pace to play 13 and didn't mention 10. ;)

But re 10/15; they are both two positions you can get away with without searing pace.
Alex Goode is not the quickest.
Myler is not quick.
Wilko was not quick.
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