Northampton Saints v Perpignan

By shendyNo Comments
A Sunday afternoon match in the Heineken European Cup, and a must-win match for the Saints if they are to qualify for the knockout stages. Fortunately, Perpignan can't qualify and therefore sent a weakened team.It has to be said that the first half wasn't the greatest I've ever seen, ending a mere 6-0 to the Saints. I managed to get a couple of decent photos in the good light - one of the better lineout shots I've taken (Juandre Kruger), and one of the rare situations where one of the better best shots of the day is of the opposition!The second half was much better, with the Saints scoring 3 tries in the first 15 minutes. The first came from another dazzling break by Ben Foden, who shipped it on to the try scoring machine that is Chris Ashton. I managed to keep track of this one, leading to quite a good scoring shot.After the third try (which took place...
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Northampton Saints v Munster

By shendyNo Comments
At Franklin's Gardens in Northampton yesterday evening for the Saints first game in this season's European Cup, playing Munster for the first time since we beat them 9-8 in the Heineken Cup Final in May 2000 - 27/05/2000 to be precise, a date firmly embedded in my memory. Also the Saints first match in the Heineken Cup since they were relegated at the end of the 2006/07 season - one season in Division One, and winners of the European Challenge Cup last season.And what a game it was last night, ending in a 31-27 upset win for the Saints. Munster are one of the best teams in Europe - last season they won the Magners League and were runners up to Leinster in the Heineken Cup Final. They are stuttering a little at the moment, and this was the first game for many of their Lions players, but this was a fantastic win for Northampton against a side packed full...
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Northampton Saints v Rotherham Titans

By shendyNo Comments
To Franklin's Gardens in late August for The Saints pre-season match against Rotherham. This was combined with the club's open day, so the players not involved in the game were hanging around in the "village" area posing for photos and signing autographs. This is Neil Best - I asked if I could take his photo, and he paused and then posed for me. He was the only one to really pose - everyone else just stands there and lets you take the photo. Top bloke! Nikon D200, Nikon 18-200VR lens at 55mm, 1/125 @ f8, ISO 100   This is prop Soane Tonga'uhia (aka "Tiny" - all 6'3" and 19 stone of him) scoring. Nikon D200, Nikon 70-300VR at 300mm, 1/125 @ f8, ISO 100   Centre Jon Clarke takes a bit of a hit. Nikon D200, Nikon 70-300VR lens at 250mm, 1/1600 @ f5.6, ISO 400   "Tiny" might be a big old lump, but he's very athletic and an amazingly good runner. When you watch...
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