Saints v Harlequins (pt 2)

Ickle Rabban (Luke) refusing to show his face - LittleMo2 looks suitably confused

And so to the game. Saints started with a couple of errors but nothing that the Londoners could capitalise on and it wasn't long before debutant Jason Cayless, sporting Rio Ferdinand-style locks, took a flat ball from Keiron Cunningham and crashed over under the sticks. Jamie Lyon added the easy two. Not long after Saints succumbed to an old weakness - the high ball to the left wing. This time, with the 'Barrow Arrow' (copyright Ron Hoofe) on the right it was new boy Francis Meli who misjudged the ball and allowed Tyrone Smith to score. The conversion made it 6 apiece. Not long after Paul Wellens took a pass from the impressive James Graham and spun out of the tackles of three Harlequins players to go over. Lyon's conversion made it 12-6. When Wellens went under the sticks after some fine handling and Lyon converted it looked like the floodgates would open and Harlequins would go under. 18-6. Just before half time your correspondent had the splendid idea of popping off to the bogs and the bar to 'beat the half time rush'. I was successful in that aspect but unfortunately missed the best move of the match in the process. Sean Long kicked to the corner for Jamie Lyon to chase. It looked as if the ball was going to bounce out of play a couple of yards from the line but with an incredible piece of skill Lyon got both hands on the ball and flicked it inside into Gardner's hands before it went dead and left Ade with an easy 4 points. Lyon duly converted and Saints went in 24-6 to the good. LittleMo2 and LittleMo1 at half time

Half time was passed with a conversation with 'Saint Rabban' (Paul) and before we knew it the second half was upon us. Harlequins needed an early score to stay in contention and it duly arrived when Ade Gardner took a chance on an interception from Leuluai's pass. If he had taken it he would have been under the sticks 80 metres away but he missed it, allowing Ricky Sherriffe to go over unopposed in the corner. With 25 minutes left Wellens took a great pass from Cayless around halfway and stepped the last line of defence to complete his hat trick. Long then set up Hooper to stroll in under the posts before Lyon completed the Saints scoring picking up a loose Harlequins pass on halfway and outpacing the defence, finishing with a cool hand-off on (I think) Haumono. This was the only kick Lyon missed all afternoon. Quins got a late consolation when Sykes went over following a nicely angled run from Purdham. Full time finished 40-16 in favour of Saints.

My man of the match was Paul Wellens for his positional awareness and support play. Jamie Lyon picked up where he left off last season and Pryce and Cayless had sound debuts. With Paul Sculthorpe and Vinnie Anderson set to return this Friday against Cas things are definitely looking promising. The only downside is injuries to Paul Anderson and Jon Wilkin.

LittleMo2's Liam Gallagher impersonation (Oasis not Shameless version)

Back to Euston in good time to take advantage of the bar in the First Class Lounge, only to find it closes at 3pm on a Saturday. Oh well, a good excuse to visit the Head of Steam and introduce the young uns to a decent boozer before purchasing a couple of bottles of beer from M & S for the journey home, which was much enlivened by the score updates from France where the Pie Eaters got beaten by the new boys, Les Catalans. Allez La France! Slight delays on the journey but nothing too serious and even the boys seemed too tired to argue or bicker so a fairly quiet return with a good few Saints fans also in attendance.
The Card Sharks

A great day out and meeting Saint Rabban and Ickle Rabban was a definite bonus. Roll on Friday when I will be at Knowsley Road following my attendance at the Liverpool Beer Festival in the afternoon. I will let you know how much of either I remember shortly.