Courtney Lawes welcomes Joe Simpson back to the Guinness Premiership, Northampton Saints vs London Wasps, March 2010
London Wasps have been the benchmark for the best in the Guinness Premiership and whilst they may not have had the best of seasons, they still represent a challenge for any team. They welcomed back Tom Rees and Joe Simpson from injury – the pair of them added some needed fizz in the midfield. Saints welcomed back from England duty Hartley, Foden and the irrepressible Chris Ashton whilst Euan Murray returned from a fine Scottish win against the Irish. Saints were again on Sky which I like as I can always find out which way the teams are playing – the Sky team are really helpful. The big lens was ready for action and I took a brave pill to get much closer to the action. It was an exceptionally close match which Saints did well to win – we’re becoming much more streetwise than we used to be and it’s paying off against the bigger teams. Downey’s subtle running prevented Varndell getting to Roger Wilson. As a result Roger was in for the try. For me the fact that the following week Wasps demolished London Irish proves that the win at FG that this Saints team can beat the best.
I think my brave pill worked – there were photos I just wouldn’t have taken a few months ago with my junior lenses. It is much harder to keep on the action and not go for the wider angle shot. I can see it is going to take me a good six months before I can reliably get the photos I want. I haven’t yet got a reliable routine for swapping cameras and as a result I have nearly strangled myself twice! But I got a crop of photos that I was pleased with.
Phil Dowson, Leeds Carnegie vs Northampton Saints, April 2010
The trip to Leeds was a real treat – our friends the Townleys came too. Their eldest son Henry was Saints mascot for the day and was bowled over by it all. I was rather over dressed for the occasion – the weather decided to be beautiful whilst I was dressed for Arctic conditions. Saints just needed to win and that’s exactly what they did – Leeds did well in the first half and defended for their lives in the second. The Headingley pitch is a mess and had been narrowed so Saints’ usual wide game was negated. Ben Foden scored a lovely try to secure the win. I again took my brave pill and the resulting shots of the likes of Dowson (see above), I think came out rather well. All in all I was pleased with the results.
Next up it’s the big one and a trip back to Thomond Park – Saints know they left a win in Limerick in January. Many of the younger players have since experienced more big games with Saints and England so will know what to expect. I can’t wait to get back there with the big lens – the weather forecast looks great so here’s to some fabulous rugby and brilliant photographs:)
