Toby Thame praised Northampton Saints’ fight but rued their error count that allowed Newcastle Red Bulls to come away from cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens with a 14-31 PREM Rugby Cup victory.
The men in Black, Green and Gold didn’t build on a strong second quarter of the game when Ollie Sleightholme and Amena Caqasau crossed the line, as the visitors capitalised after the break to inflict Saints’ first defeat of the season.
“I think we made it hard for ourselves,” said Thame. “There were glimpses there of the Saints DNA and what we train week in, week out, and we know we can be that side.
“I think when we look back at the data sheet, we’ll have knocked the ball on a couple times more than we’re used to or lost it in contact. When everything else is the same and both teams are firing well, and we’re doing things like that and they’re not, it just allows them [Newcastle] to march up the pitch.
Saints selected a 23-man squad that featured just four players who appeared in their last PREM game against Saracens – all of whom were replacements in the late October 43-31 win at cinch Stadium.
By comparison, the visiting Red Bulls called upon 13 of the matchday squad that succumb to Harlequins in their last league encounter, and that extra wherewithal showed in the second period as they landed four unanswered tries.
“There was a lot more experience in the Newcastle team,” added Thame, who turned 22 last week. “Furbs went off after half an hour and then Sleights went off at halftime. It’s the same Cup team that we have had through the whole competition, and that’s nearly their first team.”
Saints also lost starting fly-half Anthony Belleau before the break to injury, prompting a reshuffle that saw Thame briefly step into the pivotal half-back role.
“I think he’s [Belleau] the signing of the summer,” said Thame. “He is a lovely bloke as well, and just brings us in together and puts some lovely pictures on the pitch. When he went off, I had a five-minute stint at 10, I really was not as comfortable there! Then TJ [Tom James], came on and had to fill in. Boys were stepping up and doing their best. But Belleau was a key part of our attack there.”
The final fixture of the PREM Cup block comes on Friday 21 November (kick-off: 7.30pm) against Leicester Tigers, and Thame is itching to get back out there at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
He said: “That’s our first loss this season. So I want to quickly bounce back from that and be firing into Tigers in the Derby, which I can’t wait for, and I know these boys will be right up for. We see twice a year how much it means to the first team lads like I know these boys are excited to be involved.”