Saints' thrilling victory over Gloucester Rugby at Franklin's Gardens ensured the hosts would kick off Alan Gaffney's tenure and 2018 in style.
Northampton came back from 19-8 down in the second half to win 22-19 at the death, rumbling over for a match-winning penalty try after scores from Ken Pisi and Nic Groom, plus Harry Mallinder's penalty, kept them in touch.
It ended a frustrating run of results for the Saints and social media exploded with players and fans alike across Northampton expressing their delight – here are a few of our twitter highlights from the weekend.
Three Saints players knew exactly how much a win meant to the Club and its loyal fans…
We really needed that win 😅. Far from prefect but a massive effort by all. Great to be able to move forward this year with something positive to build on. Thanks to all the fans for making the atmosphere 🔥 and sticking with us.
— Tom Wood (@tomwood678) January 7, 2018
Thank you everyone for the messages, truly humbled by them all! Loved the atmosphere at the gardens last night! On to the next one 🤙🏽
— Teimana Harrison (@rasta_dreadlock) January 7, 2018
Awesome to get the W! Massive thank you to all our supporters who stuck by us right through the good and bad times. Massive push by all the boys on and off the field. #COYS
— Ahsee Tuala (@a_tuala23) January 7, 2018
A few former Saints were also quick to tweet their approval…
Awesome to see the @SaintsRugby back to winning ways. Really please for all the boys. 👊👊
— Lee Dickson (@Dicko9) January 6, 2018
So by the sound of the cheer at final whistle that @SaintsRugby win was indeed Huge. Congrats lads 🏉😅
— Matt Dawson (@matt9dawson) 6 January 2018
Congratulations Mr Gaffney. The force is strong in this one. pic.twitter.com/CMaWG09qOb
— Ian Hunter (@ianhunterchat) 6 January 2018
@SaintsRugby Massive massive win fellas, great to see the confidence back #Saints
— Jon Sleightholme (@JonSleightholme) 6 January 2018
England and Northants cricketer Ben Duckett was thrilled with what he saw…
WHAT A GAME! So good @SaintsRugby 🙌🏼 Winning try from @MikeHaywood_2 👊🏼 had me on the edge of my seat.. well done lads! 👏🏼
— Ben Duckett (@BenDuckett1) 6 January 2018
The only thing that looked better than Saints getting over the whitewash in the dying moments was the immense skyline at Franklin’s Gardens!
Amazing game at @SaintsRugby today. Looked pretty too 💚💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/lmBqxdsrLU
— Tom Bellingham (@TommyWTF1) January 6, 2018
And our local photographers were also thrilled to capture Saints’ first victory of 2018 on camera…
A big shift this afternoon from the @SaintsRugby lads and very happy supporters. Great positive start to 2018 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/PlhSruhiq6
— Andy Taylor (@ATSportphoto) January 6, 2018
Loving seeing these boys celebrate like this again - congrats on the @SaintsRugby win @a_tuala23 @Gmaafu1 @KenPisi @ratuniyarawa_a #enjoyyourwins pic.twitter.com/b01qSuqVqd
— Claire Jones (@redhatphoto) January 6, 2018
Love Island star and Gloucester fan Chris Hughes might not have left Northampton with a win to celebrate, but he certainly enjoyed a phenomenal Saints welcome!
Driving from Glastonbury to Northampton to watch @gloucesterrugby , knowing I'm missing the first 30 minutes, and it's raining. Why? 🤷🏼♂️
— Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) January 6, 2018
🤙🏼 Thanks for coming @chrishughes_22
Can we call you a Saint now?! #LoveIsland #LoveSaints #LoveWinning pic.twitter.com/ol9QJHr0vV— Northampton Saints (@SaintsRugby) January 6, 2018
And finally, Saints fans both in and outside Franklin’s Gardens were absolutely buzzing with the result. Here are some of our favourite responses…
Lots to work on but my I had tears in my eyes 👀 well done 😇 lads 😘
— Jane Bullimore (@BullimoreJane) January 6, 2018
The atmosphere & last min nerves were just like when we played Stade Francais. I love it when the gardens atmosphere is buzzing like that 😇
— Cat Starling (@Cat01_80) 7 January 2018
Bloody brilliant...the roar of the Gardens was well & truly back yesterday! 👏🏻👊🏻👍🏻👌🏻 @SaintsRugby #COYS https://t.co/OYGQjwCWfT
— Ben Thomas (@Merville83) 7 January 2018
Just watching @SaintsRugby v @gloucesterrugby again.....because I can! 😂
— Simon Hammerschmidt (@sjhammerschmidt) 6 January 2018
After being a life long @SaintsRugby supporter living +4 hours away from Franklins Gardens I can finally say I’m going to see a game there in the European Cup next week with the Grandparents
— Ben Scott (@Ben_Scott_) 7 January 2018
Ah so this is how it feels when both @ntfc & @SaintsRugby win on a Saturday afternoon! 🎉🕺😇🍺 #SportTown
— Graham McKechnie (@GrahamMcKechnie) 6 January 2018
A big thank you to @SaintsRugby for supporting @bloodwise_uk
I had a great afternoon yesterday taking part in the bucket collection. Thank you very much to all the fans who gave so generously.
Well done to Saints on a brilliant win! #beatbloodcancer #rugby #saints pic.twitter.com/HsbcpaROgn— Emma's Aim (@EmmasAim) 7 January 2018
Amazing atmosphere super proud of all the boys on and off the field!! https://t.co/7d3zDKQNga
— Ashley Dunlop Hogan♡ (@Ms_DunlopHogan7) 7 January 2018
There seemed a different atmosphere at the gardens yesterday and the belief was there. Players and fans. I knew we would win, you could feel it and when it happened it was awesome. Emotional . Tears all round 😀
— Lisa McQuarrie (@LisaMcQuarrie1) 7 January 2018
Tickets are still available for Saints' European Champions Cup clash with ASM Clermont Auvergne from the ticket office at Franklin’s Gardens, online by visiting bit.ly/SAI-CLE-EPCR or by calling the Saints Ticket Office on 01604 581000.
