Paul Diggin scores, Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers, February 2010
Last weekend as I sat down who should appear in front of me but a rampaging Paul Diggin – 90 seconds into the match and he scored the first try of the game. I was very lucky and managed to get the 80-400mm lens to focus and capture the moment. This lens does have its idiosyncrisies – it’s reaction time is bordering on the snail-like. But it takes a cracking shot when it gets going and it didn’t let me down. Saints won the match with hard work but in truth they never got out of third gear. I enjoyed shooting in daylight again – Saints popularity on TV will mean there’s still plenty of evening work ahead of me.
Tomorrow it’s the return of the Falcons – the last team to beat the Saints at the Gardens. Carl Hayman and his team pose a huge threat up front and it will be a great chance for Tonga’uiha to prove he really is the best in the Guinness Premiership as he takes on Hayman who I believe is one of the greatest props in world rugby. Phil Dowson was captain of the Falcons last year, this year he’s been a revelation in the GB&G and I believe the best signing Saints made this season. Lawes, Clarke and Ashton are back from England duty. Our backline looks deliciously quick so the 80-400mm will be testing my patience again.
I will be shooting the Land Rover Cup in the morning – this time it’s the Under 11′s. DrT is going to help me which will be fun – he’s great at the arty stuff and I can get him taking the 20 different team shots we need! Then it’s on to the big boys in the afternoon. Bring it on!
