It is well over a month since I last wrote a set of programme notes and I would imagine that many of you have forgotten what Franklin’s Gardens looks like! It will certainly feel slightly strange not having to get on the coach to go to the match today!
Over the past few weeks we have faced some difficult challenges in both the league and cup. Doncaster away on two consecutive weekends, a tough trip to Esher and another local derby last weekend in the cup.
In patches we have played very well, at other times we have not met the high standards we have set ourselves. Sometimes that has been in the same match. Against Esher, for example, we were well below par in the first half and were deservedly behind at half-time. That the team turned it around and scored 36 unanswered points in the second half is to their credit.
The two matches against Doncaster were complete opposites. The first was a cagy cup tie dominated by the boot. The league match, on the other hand, saw plenty of running from both sides and another four tries that took Chris Ashton past the NL1 try scoring record. He has adapted to rugby union very well and while he still has a lot to learn – and he would be the first person to admit that – Chris has demonstrated why the club brought him to the Gardens.
Last week’s derby against Bedford was another satisfying afternoon. Our defence generally worked well – aside from conceding the try just before half-time of course! – and we scored some good tries.
Ultimately what matters is that we are still undefeated with less than a third of the league season to go and are in the semi-finals of the National Trophy, in which we have once again been drawn away.
It would be easy to focus our attention on that trip to Plymouth and assume that the league will take care of itself. But throughout the season we have approached each and every game knowing that the next 80 minutes of action is the most important. Every team in the league deserves respect and I believe we have shown them just that.
Today’s visitors Rotherham are one such side. It wasn’t that long ago that they were in the Premiership and last season they almost pipped Leeds to the NL1 title. And while we won at Clifton Lane they gave us a good workout, especially up front.
Yes, we have shown that we can score tries in the backs as we did that day. But any victory is founded on having a solid structure and the forwards playing well. Our pack did extremely well to withstand the Titans, as they have done with every team this season, and will have to do so again today.
I would also like to take time to congratulate Rob Hunter, Ali Hepher and the Wanderers players and support staff on reaching the Guinness ‘A’ League final. They have done the double over Leicester, Sale and Leeds and clinched the Northern Conference with a match to spare. On Monday night they demonstrated skill, pace and adaptability in winning away at Leeds and the youngsters showed how bright the future of the Saints could be.
The final is home and away with the winner of the Southern Conference on April 21st and 28th. It would be a superb achievement if the club could win this tournament against Premiership opposition while still in National League One. I hope you will give them your full support.
