Monday, November 21, 2011
Scarlets go two from two with good win over Northampton Saints
Scarlets produced their second Heineken Cup win on the trot as they upset Northampton Saints 28-23 on Friday night at Franklins Gardens. They are now top of Pool 1, while Saints have a tough task ahead of them if they are to qualify.
Saints tasted defeat a week earlier at the hands of Munster and Ronan O'Gara's late drop goal, so this was a must win game for them. Unfortunately for the home crowd, their performance was littered with errors and whenever Scarlets got a sniff, they took their chances.
Tries were scored by Liam Williams, Aaron Shingler (the brother of Steven, who received a red card around the same time), Matt Gilbert, and flyhalf Rhys Priestland. The latter was fantastic on the night, earning him the Man of the Match award and further enhancing his reputation at the first choice number ten in Wales.
"It's got to be pretty big against a side of Northampton's quality. I don't think they'd lost at home in the competition since 2007, so it was a big scalp for us," said coach Nigel Davies.
He acknowledged that they got the bounce of the ball at times, particularly with the Shingler try.
"We had a little bit of luck as well, which we need on occasions. The tries we scored were opportunist, but our game without the ball was fantastic. I really fell we went at them from the first whistle. We knew we had to do that," he said.
Saints staged a bit of a comeback and got within touching distance late in the game, but ultimately it was a good win for the Scarlets who have looked very impressive so far in the tournament.
Posted at 1:28 pm | 30 comments
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Viewing 30 comments
beerholder November 21, 2011 3:45 pm
Someone up there smiled for the Scarlets. All 4 tries were strange.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 3:48 pm
Pressure on the backline pal, pressure, that what caused the tries. Saints were flapping like feck. Over-confidence see, from the start.
LeicScarlet November 22, 2011 9:59 pm
Saints put on Pisi at 15....... it was raining rugby balls on that boy..... nothing strange about that. Scarlets played the clever game..... Rhys Thomas technically destroyed Tongawhea.
Lets see what the re-match is like at the Parc..... I predict another Scarlets win.
Lets see what the re-match is like at the Parc..... I predict another Scarlets win.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 3:46 pm
Tidy post RD.
But I would say that, wouldn't I. Glad I am viewing RD when you put this on. I must be a mystic to capture this moment. Republic of Scarletia am Byth, is all I have to add. Liam Williams ninteen year old is seriously looking like JPR re-invented, sideboards and flowing glowing locks and all. Wonder if he can play tennis as well as the legend?
But I would say that, wouldn't I. Glad I am viewing RD when you put this on. I must be a mystic to capture this moment. Republic of Scarletia am Byth, is all I have to add. Liam Williams ninteen year old is seriously looking like JPR re-invented, sideboards and flowing glowing locks and all. Wonder if he can play tennis as well as the legend?
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 4:20 pm
Good clip of Stuart Barnes and the Scaletia Massive at Franklyn Gardens Friday past,
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid761333525001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAAnV5Z0~,xyoxShbYDLGSh2yu4XruBQh1N8XmHpc9&bctid=1283746089001
I am starting to like ol' Barnsy all of a sudden.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid761333525001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAAnV5Z0~,xyoxShbYDLGSh2yu4XruBQh1N8XmHpc9&bctid=1283746089001
I am starting to like ol' Barnsy all of a sudden.
stroudos November 21, 2011 5:08 pm
I like the random Turkey flag in the crowd - is that a Scarlets fan who couldn't afford the official merchandise?
Barnesy sounded like he was going to describe the entire journey for a minute - "they're going to go back along the M4, over the Severn bridge, some of them will get off for a piss and a Ginster's pie at the Welcome Break near Cardiff, then they'll continue all the way up to junction 48....."
Barnesy sounded like he was going to describe the entire journey for a minute - "they're going to go back along the M4, over the Severn bridge, some of them will get off for a piss and a Ginster's pie at the Welcome Break near Cardiff, then they'll continue all the way up to junction 48....."
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 7:04 pm
We are called Turks, due I thnk in history from our dark haired swarthy looks..., but mainly from our Swansea friends from Ospreylia down the road.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 4:44 pm
A poem for Barnsy, on and of West Wales.
Come here with your Sky kit and mates vee Munster,
prepare for cockle shells and lava bread my mate.
With bacon for brekie, this is another world friend,
end of your World, our end, defend, cockle-shell end.
And POC, we are waiting for your ref blarney, and Munster invisable man ruck cover off.
Come here with your Sky kit and mates vee Munster,
prepare for cockle shells and lava bread my mate.
With bacon for brekie, this is another world friend,
end of your World, our end, defend, cockle-shell end.
And POC, we are waiting for your ref blarney, and Munster invisable man ruck cover off.
WelshOsprey November 21, 2011 6:02 pm
Scarlets ripped them apart, chris ashton is shit.. his defensive positioning and general all round contribution to the game was poor.
katman November 21, 2011 6:04 pm
Kak reffing for the Scarlets' second try. That was so clearly red hands and not backwards off green.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 7:13 pm
Laws figer tipped it back last mun, are you blind?
katman November 22, 2011 12:52 pm
No, it was clearly red hands. I did watch it again, now I suggest you do the same.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 23, 2011 12:42 pm
We'll agree to differ then, but I must warn you, I was wearing an eyepatch at the time.....
What do you mean I am one-eyed? : )
What do you mean I am one-eyed? : )
katman November 22, 2011 12:53 pm
No, it was clearly red hands. I did watch it again, now I suggest you do the same.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 7:19 pm
Mat Gilbert, third try - first HC try by a deaf person, must be. He is a hell of a try scorer - scored dozens for Llanelli RFC clubside last season.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 7:44 pm
Talking of George North, Alex Cuthbert from the Blues on their wing. Six foot six and 16 stone plus, BLIMEY! Likes the horses, but differently from most,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15119169.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15119169.stm
donkeyballs4000 November 21, 2011 7:58 pm
You are responsible for 8 of the first 12 comments in this thread. Slow down.
Just Call Me Ehtch November 21, 2011 8:02 pm
oops, maybe more now - think I'll have another cup of coffee, or a line.....
Which is better? : ) OK, last post now.
Which is better? : ) OK, last post now.
stroudos November 21, 2011 8:21 pm
LOL! FFS take something with more of a calming effect rather than coffee or the Andean marching powder!
Just Call Me Ehtch November 23, 2011 6:22 pm
An appreciation of a welsh winger, about a foot shorter than some,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/9427307.stm
For international users that BBC may have blocked,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozrKpWR-UUI
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/9427307.stm
For international users that BBC may have blocked,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozrKpWR-UUI
johndoe November 21, 2011 8:27 pm
How the hell do Northampton get away with their scrummaging? They commit so many penalties but they're never penalised. The props are always popping up or driving sideways or not binding and Hartley is always popping up / forcing his head out of the bind. They do all these things in different combinations and the majority of their scrums are not legal. This has been going on for a while now and they're still not being penalised. Example (only scrum in clip on Rudgbydump): 27 seconds in Northampton prop fails to get a bind and it becomes a mess on that side of the scrum. There was one scrum where Mujati was driving straight into the hooker, right in front of the referee and it was let go.
Also, this match shows exactly how Ashton has been overrated by the media. His attack is good (although, still greatly overrated), he is not so strong in the other areas of his game and he has a bad attitude. He cost his team two tries this match. You could say he cost them the game.
Also, this match shows exactly how Ashton has been overrated by the media. His attack is good (although, still greatly overrated), he is not so strong in the other areas of his game and he has a bad attitude. He cost his team two tries this match. You could say he cost them the game.
Colombes November 21, 2011 8:50 pm
quite impressed by this scarlets young players
in a certain way, it's a confirmation about young welsh talents like north, priestland, williams, shingler, etc... the only question is who will replace them if there's some injuries... scarlets don't have a large and quality group like leinster, toulouse, munster or leicester.
concerning northampton, it's a bit like england: lot of talents but lack of motivation, ashton "let down" reaction on the 4th scarlets try is symptomatic
castres and northampton can already say goodbye to this hcup
in a certain way, it's a confirmation about young welsh talents like north, priestland, williams, shingler, etc... the only question is who will replace them if there's some injuries... scarlets don't have a large and quality group like leinster, toulouse, munster or leicester.
concerning northampton, it's a bit like england: lot of talents but lack of motivation, ashton "let down" reaction on the 4th scarlets try is symptomatic
castres and northampton can already say goodbye to this hcup
Guest November 22, 2011 10:32 pm
Hopefully the welsh teams can do well this year in the rabo pro 12 and h cup. I think ospreys have the best chance with the best squad now they have gotten rid of their ladyboys. the welsh talent is fairly evenly dispersed across the 4 clubs unlike in ireland. I wouldnt put munster in the same group as Leinster, Leicester and Toulouse anymore. They still have the same heart just dont have the quality. especially in the front row. clermont have the quality and squad depth to join the top table but I dont think they have the tempermant yet.
Paolo November 22, 2011 3:04 pm
Only seen these highlights but it looks like Scarlets had more than a little luck there.
In response to some of the comments above
- the second try definitely came from a Scarlets knock on. Not sure how you could think it was Lawes from the replays
- johndoe. really do not know what you are talking about with this scrum. Watch it again. The Scarlets 3 binds onto Tongahuia's arm and twists it down and inwards illegally preventing Tongahuia from getting a bind himself. The Scarlets 3 then bores in at the hooker, demonstrated by the fact that when the scrum breaks up, the Scarlets 6 is positioned where the 3 should be if he had driven straight
2 penalties against the Scarlets there - one for binding on the arm and the other for boring in
I really wish the touch judges would get involved in pointing out dodgy binding at the scrums. Its responsible for so many collapses and is ruining the scrum. Players wouldn't do it if they knew the touch judge would call it immediately
In response to some of the comments above
- the second try definitely came from a Scarlets knock on. Not sure how you could think it was Lawes from the replays
- johndoe. really do not know what you are talking about with this scrum. Watch it again. The Scarlets 3 binds onto Tongahuia's arm and twists it down and inwards illegally preventing Tongahuia from getting a bind himself. The Scarlets 3 then bores in at the hooker, demonstrated by the fact that when the scrum breaks up, the Scarlets 6 is positioned where the 3 should be if he had driven straight
2 penalties against the Scarlets there - one for binding on the arm and the other for boring in
I really wish the touch judges would get involved in pointing out dodgy binding at the scrums. Its responsible for so many collapses and is ruining the scrum. Players wouldn't do it if they knew the touch judge would call it immediately
johndoe November 22, 2011 10:21 pm
What do you mean? Tongahuia just completely misses. There's no twisting or anything by the Scarlets prop. Tongahuia's shoulder hits the other guy's shoulder but his shoulder slips straight off, goes down and he fails to bind and then drives completely sideways. I can see the Scarlets prop hitting / trying to grab Tongahuia's arm / armpit area, but Tongahuia had already missed the bind. The Scarlet prop's shoulder / arm stays there for a good while but Tongahuia doesn't try a second time to bind, he just drives sideways.
And the Scarlets prop is only driving sideways a little bit, and that is because Tongahuia is going completely sideways. Look at the two players and you can see Tongahuia starts driving sideways first and he does it to a much greater degree than the other prop.
Anyway, that's only one example. Fairly standard though. It's easier to see when they go to the overhead angle. There was one in the actual match where Mujati was driving straight into the hooker but it's not in the clip unfortunately.
And the Scarlets prop is only driving sideways a little bit, and that is because Tongahuia is going completely sideways. Look at the two players and you can see Tongahuia starts driving sideways first and he does it to a much greater degree than the other prop.
Anyway, that's only one example. Fairly standard though. It's easier to see when they go to the overhead angle. There was one in the actual match where Mujati was driving straight into the hooker but it's not in the clip unfortunately.
jeppy89 November 23, 2011 3:19 pm
@ Johndoe/welshosprey
I completely agree, Ashton is both "shit" and "overrated" by the media.
Joint top try scorer RWC 2011
Top try scorer Six nations 2011
Second top try scorer Aviva premiership 2010-2011
Premiership player of the season for 2009/10
Top try scorer Guinness premiership 2009-2010
oh and also Rugby union try of the season 2009-2010
I completely agree, Ashton is both "shit" and "overrated" by the media.
Joint top try scorer RWC 2011
Top try scorer Six nations 2011
Second top try scorer Aviva premiership 2010-2011
Premiership player of the season for 2009/10
Top try scorer Guinness premiership 2009-2010
oh and also Rugby union try of the season 2009-2010
Just Call Me Ehtch November 23, 2011 4:49 pm
...and is a money grabbing barsteward, it seems, too, allegedly,
http://www.theweek.co.uk/rugby/rugby-turmoil/42906/england-rugby-players-cared-more-about-money-sport
http://www.theweek.co.uk/rugby/rugby-turmoil/42906/england-rugby-players-cared-more-about-money-sport
johndoe November 23, 2011 6:39 pm
Great stats. Should give a bit more detail though.
Who did England play in RWC 2011? Argentina, Scotland, Georgia, Romania. Easiest pool in the RWC. He got 5 / 6 tries against very weak opponents. How many tries did he score against decent / semi decent opposition i.e. Argentina? 0. France? 0.
6 Nations? Once again a bit deceptive. Two tries against a poor Welsh team and 4 against a terrible Italian team. Yes, they beat France in the tournament but their performance against England was laughable. How many tries against France? 0. How many tries against Scotland? 0. How many tries against Ireland? 0. That stat doesn't look so impressive now.
Oh, and the Premiership? Not exactly the highest standard of rugby. Once Ashton plays against some quality opposition like Leinster, France, Ireland, he can't score.
Anyway, my whole point was that it was his offense that was his strong point and as I just showed, it isn't nearly as strong as those "stats" would lead people to believe… It is the rest of his game which is terrible. He could have won the game for Northampton by stopping even one of those tries, but he didn't and so he cost them the game. What a great player...
Who did England play in RWC 2011? Argentina, Scotland, Georgia, Romania. Easiest pool in the RWC. He got 5 / 6 tries against very weak opponents. How many tries did he score against decent / semi decent opposition i.e. Argentina? 0. France? 0.
6 Nations? Once again a bit deceptive. Two tries against a poor Welsh team and 4 against a terrible Italian team. Yes, they beat France in the tournament but their performance against England was laughable. How many tries against France? 0. How many tries against Scotland? 0. How many tries against Ireland? 0. That stat doesn't look so impressive now.
Oh, and the Premiership? Not exactly the highest standard of rugby. Once Ashton plays against some quality opposition like Leinster, France, Ireland, he can't score.
Anyway, my whole point was that it was his offense that was his strong point and as I just showed, it isn't nearly as strong as those "stats" would lead people to believe… It is the rest of his game which is terrible. He could have won the game for Northampton by stopping even one of those tries, but he didn't and so he cost them the game. What a great player...
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