Northampton Saints 36 Munster 51: Saints’ Euro dreams ended by Munster
Pictures by Linda Dawson
SAINTS’ European dreams were once again ended by Munster as they went down 51-36 at a sold out Milton Keynes.
Saints had to deal with the fall-out from Chris Ashton’s move to Saracens in the build-up to the clash, but were desperate for victory to keep their hopes of reaching the Amlin Challenge Cup alive, while five points would have kept them in the Heineken Cup hunt still.
But it was not to be. Saints looked on top for much of a first half that saw them go in 19-19, but they fell apart in the second half as Munster ran in five tries to claim a home quarter-final.
Saints had the first chance to get on the scoreboard after three minutes but Ryan Lamb hit the post. A minute later he had another chance as Peter O’Mahony was penalised for laying on the ball and this time Lamb converted it.
A brilliant kick from George Pisi got Saints into Munster’s 22 and the pack took advantage powering a penalty out of a scrum under the posts and Lamb made it 6-0 after 12 minutes.
Calum Clark had been talked about a lot after his surprise England call-up but he was immediately caught holding on at the re-start and from 40m the deadly Ronan O’Gara made it 6-3.
But Saints hit back, literally, with Samu Manoa flying into Lifeimi Mafi to win a scrum 5m out and Brian Mujati and co. powered over to win a penalty try as a desperate O’Mahony kicked the ball away. He was lucky to stay on the pitch as Lamb converted to make it 13-3 after 16 minutes.
But Saints mucked up the re-start and though Munster’s scrum went backwards James Coughlan still powered off it and the pressure brought a penalty for O’Gara to make it 13-6.
The rain that greeted kick-off had stopped by now. One linesman had already departed with an injury while the other touch judge was getting confused by the football pitch lines as he allowed Munster to throw a yard further in on the green line rather than the white one.
On 27 minutes O’Gara trimmed the lead to four points after Elliott made a great take from an up-and-under but was turned over. The Chris Ashton replacement then made a cracking tackle on Simon Zebo, but Pisi was done for not releasing.
Lamb made it 16-9 with a drop goal, but at the re-start Phil Dowson dropped the ball and Munster took full advantage with BJ Botha driving over. O’Gara converted to make it 16-16.
The visiting fans sensed the tide was turning as Donncha Ryan got over the ball to win a penalty for O’Gara to put the Irishmen 19-16 in front.
The only constant in a see-saw first half was Saints’ total dominance in the scrum. They won another penalty to draw Saints level at the break.
Saints would have talked about their re-starts, which cost them 10 points, at the break, but the first one of the second half sailed over Mark Sorenson’s head and it cost them another try.
The Munster forwards battered on to the line and then the ball went wide for Johne Murphy to score. O’Gara converted to make it 26-19 three minutes into the half.
Things were falling apart for Saints as Keith Earls scythed through and Dorian West was having a row with Munster fans in the stand.
It was feeling more and more like Thomond Park as a lovely backs move saw Simon Zebo scoot over for Munster after a wonderful offload from Denis Hurley. O’Gara missed the conversion but after 10 minutes of the second half it was 31-19.
Saints kicked a penalty to the corner and Soane Tonga’uiha was agonisingly close, dropping the ball as he surged for the line. But delaying the put-in saw Saints get the scrum 5m out and at the second attempt they won a second penalty try. Lamb added the extras and Saints were back in it at 31-26.
There was a scuffle after it, though, and both scrum-halves were yellow-carded.
Munster kept it tight and drew a penalty for O’Gara to make it 34-26. Lamb quickly made it 34-29 as the 14 v 14 period finished 3-3.
O’Gara added another penalty and with Saints going nowhere on halfway Zebo intercepted to race home and effectively end the contest.
A beaten Saints had to suffer the embarrassment of Munster reaching 50 points as Zebo grabbed his hat-trick.
With the game over Scott Armstrong scored a try as the ground emptied.
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Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
steve rodhouse
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 04:16 PMwalks39. To be fair, a lot of supporters stated BEFORE the game that it could affect the result. I personally doubt it to that degree. However, your comment about moving games to MK purely to allow future expansion etc misses a few points. Unless you agree with franchised sport, it is NORTHAMPTON's rugby team not MK's. I also doubt that these games actually help the growth of the Junior teams in the MK area despite comments to the contrary. Neither does it take into account the fact that many loyal older or disabled supporters (possible children too) were unable to make this trip. I went to Limerick but refused to go to MK as I believe the move was made purely based on greed. Also, like many football supporters, I dislike the way the Dons came into existence with a vengeance. I'd love to see the reaction of Northampton's sports fans to MK Dons playing games in Northampton to help them in their ambition to climb (sorry creep) their way into the Premiership. How long have we been waiting for a planning application? I think some worry has to be applied to these so called rumours.
walks39
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 12:10 PMi agree with our Irish poster. the venue mattered not a jot to the result. It also shows complete disrespect to the opposition who played better on the day. To see comments on the various forums would suggest we never lose at the Gardens, oh what short memories we have, Scarlets anyone? Yes i thought we were robbed by inept refereeing at Thomond Park but at Milton Keynes we were outplayed on the night it's as simple as that. To also suggest a permanent move to MK is on the cards is pure rumour mongering. As a short term measure i have no problem with MK as venue and if these ventures enable redevelopment and a strengthened squad then all is good. If MK is continued post development then that is the time to wrorry.
steve rodhouse
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:36 AMJackson. If you think it averages out at a pint a supporter you should get yourself down to the Gardens!
steve rodhouse
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 11:34 AMNTFCseasonticketholder1. I am a season ticket holder at the Cobblers, the Saint and the Steelbacks. The game should not have been played at MK which is why I sent my ticket back. I would have missed the game anyway as I always put the Cobblers first. I think you should re-read your comment and imagine someone else had written it. Were the Cobblers to move anywhere outside of the town through their own choice I would not go. I make a concession with the cricket (when we play in Beds or Bucks) as they are Minor Counties not supported by glory hunters. Northampton is Northampton NOT "we are the Cobblers you are the Saints"!
MrPowell
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 06:48 PMWell said Steve. The game should never have been played there in the first place. Jackson-Milton Keynes is not on the up, more like a greedy dog that eats everyone else's food. Trouble is we keep feeding it our best bits. Wake up Northampton and shame on the Saints Committee.
Removed by moderator
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 01:13 PMSo the players will turn up for reduced wages then? It was over 22,000 yesterday and no doubt 22,000 pints of beer, lager guiness etc. It will be 30,000 capacity soon when M& S open their new underwear store and another £10,000,000 given to MK Stadium to put the lid on the place. There is a three mile tail back on the A508 most mornings trying to get into MK, with an horse and cart going the other way. Northampton is on the down, MK is on the up. Face up to reality.
shayes@iol.ie
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 12:12 PMSaints you lost a game of Rugby , where doesn't matter how does. Since September this game was classified as must win . In Thomond park the ref was blamed in MK everything else was blamed . The reallity might be that the focus was not on performance, high fives for winning 2 scrums close to the line is only one element of the Game. Leicester , Harlequins , Bath and Saints have reason to reflect on their performances , is there a common Thread?
SteveRiches
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 11:01 AMIt is not a simple debate on how various supporters react to losing games, it is a debate about surrendering proper home advantage in the hope of more cash. Part of the counter-argument is that it may not achieve that objective in the short term and that if moving games away from Northampton achives this end in the longer term then we must accept the severance of the club's Northampton main status and see it develop into a regional power like Munster.That would need the RFU to remove certain financial caps.
NTFCseasonticketholder1
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:36 AMAt least you are seeing better games, so don't keep moaning about when the Saints lose.
SteveRiches
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:30 AMAnd your point is (NTFCseasonticketholder1)...?
NTFCseasonticketholder1
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:21 AMYou so called Saints supporters and Mr Riches, your never happy when losing at home or away so don't blame Stadium Mk it's the ground - the pitch - the lines- the beer- the price of beer oh yes not to forget the council, at least your 3rd in the league and not lost 16 league game like us so STOP CRYING NOW !!! and grow up.
SteveRiches
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 05:11 AMIncidentally, the ridiculous sight of the FA game lines in poorly-screened light green made a mockery of the TV watching experience.
SteveRiches
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 05:05 AMMost likely NOT the result that would have happened if the game had been played in the home cauldron of Franklins' Gardens. Effectively not, therefore, as good a financial return by using MK, was it??? Being knocked out nullified the bigger gate!
Tabasco kid
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 11:13 PMI hope that all of the Saints fans enjoyed themselves at there new home. Next year, despite all of the rhetoric from Mr Barwell, I believe that at least one league game (tigers) will go down the M1. After all, the lure of the dollar, and a twenty thousand crowd, can not be passed up , can it? IMO of course.
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