It has only been three weeks since we played at home last but it seems a lot longer than that! Since I last wrote these programme notes we have had three very tough games. Although the Bees result was eventually comfortable they put up plenty of resistance and scored some good tries.
Two weeks ago we travelled to Exeter. Everybody here was expecting a hard match and this was how it turned out to be. After going behind to an interception try I was really pleased with the way the boys played themselves back into the match.
We showed plenty of control in defence in the face of some very physical attackers and took our opportunities very well. There was some disappointment in not getting the bonus point but the win was what mattered, especially as we denied the Chiefs a bonus point.
Then last week we came up against Nottingham. The weather conditions were easily the worst we’ve played in all season – all I can say is that at least it wasn’t snowing like it was in Northampton when we got home!
They were another physical side who set us a great challenge from beginning to end. We didn’t play up to the standard we set ourselves but still came away with another win against one of the form sides in the league.
At the start of the season we were under no illusions that we would be challenged to the full in every game we played. This has certainly been the case and I’m happy that we’ve come through with a full set of wins so far.
We’ve certainly covered the miles over the past couple of weeks. We have to! Hundreds of you, on the other hand, chose to follow us to Sandy Park and Meadow Lane and gave us magnificent support on both occasions. Thank you for making long journeys up and down the country – this club wouldn’t be the same without you.
Returning to the Bees game for a moment, I hope you will join me in wishing Sean Lamont a speedy recovery back to fitness. He is a quality player who was eager to get a run of appearances and tries for the Saints under his belt. The injury he suffered was very unfortunate to say the least for both club and country, but we are hopeful that Monty will be back for pre-season training in the summer.
We cannot dwell on what’s been however, although we can learn from previous games to help us develop as a team. I have spoken in the past about potential banana skins, and after winning away at two tough venues it would be tempting for us to take today’s opponents Coventry lightly, especially as we’re back at the Gardens.
If we do that then we’ll slip up. It wasn’t that long ago that Coventry won away at Plymouth and despite a couple of disappointing results since they will know that they can achieve a similar result again today.
Coach Murray Henderson has a full-time squad to choose from including several Leicester academy players, several of whom have played for England. They are also an ambitious club, historically one of the biggest in the country, and are gearing themselves up for a serious tilt at Premiership rugby in the years to come.
Finally, I cannot go without mentioning the Wanderers, who put in a great performance last Monday at Welford Road. The win against Leicester was their third in succession in the Guinness ‘A’ League. All of the players involved, both first teamers and Academy lads, put their hands up for selection with an assured performance in more atrocious conditions. It certainly gives me a nice dilemma in choosing who to pick!
Rob Hunter and the Wanderers coaches are doing a great job in guiding the team in the ‘A’ League against Premiership clubs. They’re playing again this coming Monday against Worcester here at the Gardens. We all look forward to seeing you then.
