That was better. Much better.
I'm sat here enjoying the misery that only can be described as a hangover, Bacon Sandwich proudly sitting on a plate by my left hand in front of the TV awaiting the start of Saracens vs Bath on TV. The reason for the hangover is because mugging here decided once again to go drinking after the rugby – waking up in someone elses house and wondering how you've ended up there is becoming boring yet familiar after Saints games. I blame the girlfriend for letting me off the leash personally!
Happily however, my drinking adventure would have been done in a good mood. Unlike the start of 2011, Saints have begun building momentum and are looking strong candidates to keep a playoff spot in the league. Having the England and injured players back is making a world of difference to the team, clear as day for anyone to see – Over 100 points and 13 tries scored in the last 3 games (while only conceding 40 points and 3 tries) is a good value return from anybodys money.
Yes, the opposition have been a bit limp. Yes, Saints still have some way to go before they hit form such as the beginning of the season. Yes, it does look like Vicarage road or Welford road for the playoffs… But so what! It's actually fun to watch my club again – Something there's not been much experienced when viewing Saints since before Christmas.
Saturday was an interesting game however. Sale have been flirting between indifference and downright horrible this term. There was a huge players revolt to start the season, a change of the management, wholesale clearing out amongst the playing staff and constant talk of rebuilding. 3 things lent in Sales favour this weekend:
Steve Diamond, the new Sale DOR and close friend of Jim Mallender, wrote the Northampton playbook inside out so knows them better than the Saints boss.
Saints 2011 form has been their worst run since a certain Mr. Solomons was relieved of duty.
Northampton already had one eye on Milton Keynes when they host Ulster in the HEC Semi.
The opinion of combined anxiety with hope was evident as the Sale supporters turned up, vocal as they always are and forced the Saints support (who must've easily outnumbered them 30-1) to raise our game.
Then the ball was kicked off and the teams did the same thing… Sale forced Saints to raise our game.
The early points from a Charlie Hodgson penalty 50m out started the game in fine fashion for the visitors and I'll admit to expecting the worst – I've seen 100's of Saints matches and 1000's of points both scored and shipped, but I still never know what to expect until it's obvious.
Saints floodgates opened after 5 minutes when Dicko took a quick tap from a 5m scrum and slid across the line. The TMO confirmed what the Sale faithful refused to accept, but the ball was just about under control at it touched the whitewash and the first "5" of the afternoon was written onto the board.
Not long afterwards, a horrible accident at the breakdown saw Sale pivot Dwayne Peel upended and knocked unconscious. Thankfully no major injury was caused, but for a good 10-15 minutes nobody was sure when both sets of medics and physios were tending to the Wales international. This was however an excellent excuse to rush to the bar and have a crafty fag without missing any game time.
Woah betide those who did miss the game, because immediately after the restart, Saints winger cut an incisive linebreak before throwing a ridiculous and magnificent cut out pass which put Chris Ashton into the corner with a now trademark Swandive. It was a wonderful thing to behold. Myler missed the Extras but Saints were now in the ascendency.
Still within the first 18 minutes, Saints 3rd of the afternoon came when – after repeated resets – David Rose had enough of the antics in Sales' front row and awarded Northampton a penalty try. Not before however he invited Sale hooker Briggs to take a 10 minutes rest for shenanigans.
To Sales' credit however, this was the making of them. Not long from the restart and replacement hooker Jones stretched for the Mancunians first try with an audacious body angle following some wonderful running play directed by Charlie Hodgson. The perennially-out-of-favour England pivot directed proceeding further by slotting another couple of penalties to bring the scores back to 19-16. What should have been out of sight was within touching distance for Steve Diamonds side. Roger Wilsons sin binning for picking up the ball when offside compounded the anxiety of the home support further, but on the stroke of halftime "The Mooj" eased Northantonian worries with a well taken solo try. It's not very often that we see a Try BP before half time at FG, so we'll welcome that plus more of the same in the 2nd half thank you muchly.
Half time and we go in up by a lot less then we should be.
The 2nd half didn't start well though. Bright attacking ambition from both sides guaranteed something would happen, Northampton first then Sale both being cut down inches from the line within the first minute. Sale however made the break through when Lewaravu crossed in the Shrubbery Corner to put Sale within a score again. David Rose however did not award the try as he went to talk to his assistant.
What transpired that while Lewaravu was busy playing Rugby, Briggs once again felt it more appropriate to shoulder charge Courtney Lawes in the back off the ball. So the try stood, Briggs was awarded his 2nd yellow of the afternoon and Northampton resume the game with a penalty from the centre spot – Not often you see that.
This turned the game away from Sale once and for all as the floodgates opened fully. Off the resulting lineout, Christian Day fed Tom Wood for his first Premiership try in Saints colours. A short time later, David rose awarded a 2nd penalty try for more shenanigans in the scrum. Then Bruce Reihana ran in to rapturous applause and chants of "Bruce Bruce Bruce" from 40m within 25 seconds of replacing Chris Ashton. Then finally Phil Dowson laid his recent demons to rest and dotted Saints' 8th of the afternoon following Scott McLeoud being snapped in half by a trademark Lawes big hit.
53-24. I'll take that. Much better indeed (and the first time since Carlos Spencer embarrassed Saracens I've seen Saints score 50 in a single Premiership match).
Eyes are now firmly focused on Ulster. A very beatable but extremely dangerous foe if they're under estimated. Saints handling needs to very much sharpen up while the silly indiscipline which allowed Sales purple patch must be eradicated.
Saints have all the materials they need to go all the way in this Heineken Cup. They also do in the Premiership.
Now they have to go and do it.
P.S. In case you were interested, it was a delicious Bacon Butty!
Till next week.
