Paul Diggin crashes through the Tigers defence, Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers, February 2010
It really is a rollercoaster ride supporting the Saints – after six straight wins, we all trotted off to the Stoop with high hopes. Sadly, Quins were coming off the back off a drubbing by a rejuvenated Gloucester. This meant whilst Saints decided collectively to have a bad day at the office, Quins were looking for a scrap. I had forgotten how far from the pitch you are at the south end of that ground – my 80-400mm struggled badly as first the sun disappeared and secondly, the match for the second season in succession was at the opposite end of the ground. A difficult day all round.
Yet a week later it was a completely different story as an assured Saints team defended brilliantly and took their chances well. The pitch was not in its usual impeccable state caused by the appalling weather in the run up to the match. My boots were only just good enough to keep upright and I was somewhat nervous about keeping my footing when taking photos of the mascots with Phil Dowson. But it did mean I got some lovely photos of some very muddy players.
When Sky Sports’ Miles Harrison described the weather as a light drizzle in the East Midlands, I was actually sat in a deluge with water pouring off the covers on my gear. My four layers of clothing were totally inadequate. But I thoroughly enjoyed the match and shooting it was a delight – I had way too short a lens with the 70-200mm doing its best but I decided that my across the pitch shots were going to be the order of the day.
19-3 was a fair result and the Saints headed north to Edgeley Park.The performance at Edgeley Park was strange – Saints totally dominated the game but couldn’t score either because the place kicking was wayward or try scoring opportunities were spurned. Saints defence was impressive with Lee Dickson in particular catching the eye with his brilliant work stopping tries being scored.
I took the weekend off and instead made the trip across the Channel to see Stade Francais and Stade Toulouse. The pre-match entertainment was fabulous but the atmosphere in the stadium went flat as Paris failed to turn up and Toulouse barely had to get out of second gear to win 0-29. It was a grand day out but it would have been better if we had seen some rugby.
Tomorrow Saints play Saracens in the LV= Cup semi-final – it’s likely to be a fiesty affair with both sides keen to get their hands on some silverware. I am hoping for some good light and a great game. See you there!
Juandre Kruger on the charge, Northampton Saints vs Newcastle Falcons, February 2010
And so it was back to the Guinness Premiership as the Saints met the only team to beat them at home last season – Newcastle Falcons. The Falcons have a big pack, led by the man mountain that is Carl Hayman. He is huge – very tall and very broad in the shoulder. Packing down with him must be a nightmare! I was really looking forward to the battle of the front rows – it was the best set of scrums I have seen all season. The two packs wanted to fight it fair and square and it turned into a great battle with Messrs Sharman, Mujati and Tonga’uiha winning it. Yet in the rolling maul it was the Falcons that came out the winners (though referee Dean Richards needs to learn to count) – time and time again the Falcons drove the Saints backs down the pitch. But if I were a Falcons back, I would be bored stiff as they rarely saw the ball and when they did they did nothing with it. Saints on the otherhand were effective if not devastating – Chris Ashton again showed why many believe he is the best wing in the country. Two lovely tries scored by a player who reads the game so well and can finish when he gets the ball.
I had fun because it was the first time for a while I could use the 80-400mm lens – it did a good job despite not being the quickest focusing lens I own. The light was very flat and the pitch not at it’s best having been covered much of the week before. So the images has a grey wintry cast about them. But I did get a good selection of images and it’s grand being able to shoot with the big lens again.
Today it’s off to the Twickenham Stoop and a big game against Quins. Last year, I froze pitchside as all the action was at the other end of the ground. Saints played really badly and I was reduced to taking landscape shots. I don’t see that happening today – the team is very focused and this weekend could see Saints secure one of the precious top two spots in the Guinness Premiership. The weather looks great so I’ll be shooting with the 80-400mm again.
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!
Juandre Kruger imperious in the lineout, Northampton vs Munster, January 2010
Thomond Park is a very impressive stadium and the Munster crowd are a passionate bunch. I nearly didn’t make it as the traffic around Limerick is dreadful on a Friday night. No wonder the team coaches are escorted in by the police. I arrived with half an hour to go to be greeted by a really helpful security guard and Fiona in the Press Room. My cameras had been carefully looked after and I was able to get up and running and ready to go within a few minutes.
The atmosphere before the game was so tense – the beating drums, the Singing of Stand Up and Fight and the constant roar of the Munster supporters made the hairs on the back of my head stand up. The lighting at Thomond Park is excellent but with the fog and smoke, it was one of the toughest shoots I have ever done.
Saints could and should have won – a number of the younger players will have learned some important lessons. The set piece was assured and in the scrum Saints were totally dominant save the one against the head when it mattered most. I had a reasonable crop of photos. But a losing bonus point was secured and we all waited for the London Irish vs Leinster match to be played. All Saints needed was a Leinster win or London Irish to win without scoring a try.
I was in a bar in Killaloe and I could barely watch as Leinster did their very best to hand the game to London Irish. After a Jonny Sexton drop goal with two minutes to go it was 8-8. The last play was agonising as Rob Carney failed to clear the ball, gave it back to Chris Malone who narrowly missed a second attempt at a drop goal. Saints were through and of course, we go back to Limerick in April. Next time DrT is coming with me! When I go back on the Sunday, he looked like a kid who had had his nose pressed up against the sweet shop window all weekend!
Tomorrow it’s the LV= Cup, a Saints win will mean a semi-final berth and probably at home too. The experiment of the double header match of the semi-finals has rightly been abandoned. It’s a mixture of young and old in the line-up as the big boys are off at the Six Nations – Bruce Reihana makes his 200th appearance in the GB&G.
I am looking forward to being back at the Gardens – bring on the sunshine!
Chris Ashton scoring in the last minute of the match against London Irish, January 2010
It’s been far too long since the men in GB&G have played a match – last weekend’s match against Bath was postponed when the west country was hit by the wintry weather and a significant amount of snow made the Rec unplayable and the stadium dangerous. The last moments of the previous match have kept me going though. Nothing interesting normally happens on January 2 – my birthday. This year was a glorious exception. London Irish came to the Gardens, one place ahead of the Saints in the Guinness Premiership and clearly looking for a dust up. The match was a feisty affair which both sides played with gusto. It wasn’t the free flowing rugby the press all wanted but it was compelling, gritty stuff. The match came to light in the second half when Saints scored a try early on – Phil Dowson worming his way over with a little help from his forward chums. Then Saints hits the self destruct button – a poorly floated pass into Peter Hewat’s hands for a breakaway try and a silly penalty and the game had swung Irish’s way. But then, as has been the pattern this season, Saints came back at the opposition. First securing a penalty and then Flash has his usual impact on things.
From a reset scrum (cue howls of protest from Irish) in the last minute of the game, Dickson passed to Geraghty who passed quickly to Ashton who jiggled the ball, controlled it, turned out of the tackles from Hewat and Mapusua and crashed over for the try just to the right of the posts. And more importantly, just in front of me – it was the best birthday present a girl could have. Franklin’s Gardens went yip yip crazy and I took as many photos as I could of the celebrations.
Since then Dickson, Foden and Ashton have re-signed for the club and I am chuffed to see how the squad has developed. I hope we concentrate on this season as much as worry about next – I’ll leave things to those who know far more about it than me i.e. Jim, Dorian and Paul.
Today it’s back to the Heineken Cup and the visitors to Franklin’s Gardens are Perpignan. Saints need to win and conserve as much energy as possible as on Friday they go to Thomond Park. It’s a huge ask on the part of the organisers and one that doesn’t seem fair given Saints have to travel as well. But I am confident Saints will go well. The forecast today is for sun – I can’t quite believe that for once I’ll have some light! Next Friday, it’s back to the dark and gloom – and I can’t wait. Bring it on!
"We all dream of a team of Kenny Clarkes", Kenny Clarke scoring, January 2010
And finally, a word about my other team that I have been working at – Thurrock FC play in the Blue Square South league. They are doing really well this season and look good for at least a play-off spot. It’s been a long time since I have been to a live football match and I can honestly say DrT and I had a great time yesterday shooting the match against Bath City. C Block could learn a thing or two from the Thurrock supporters – they sang from beginning to end. The two sets of supporters sang to each other and we even had a conga. Yes football is different and sometimes goes OTT but can I pass on my thanks to everybody at the club for making me so welcome and such great atmosphere. And Thurrock won 3-1. Not a bad collection of photos either!
Ben Foden scores, Northampton Saints vs Benetton Treviso, 12 December 2009
As we move into the new year, Saints are looking good in all competitions. I enjoyed shooting the Heineken Cup match against Benetton Treviso – Saints didn’t play particularly well yet still gathered the five points. Foden and Ashton are playing so well together and seeing them both score so many tries is great to see as a supporter and as a photographer. The light wasn’t great but I still managed to bag some good shots particularly the one above. Synchronised try scoring is a new one on me!
I decided to take a couple of weeks off as Saints went on their travels to Treviso and Worcester. I was very sad to miss the Worcester match in particular as I love shooting at Sixways. The match in Italy was an amazing feat of determination – I received a text from Chris Wearmouth telling me that the pitch was covered in deep snow and the digger had been summoned. Chris joined in with both sets of coaching staff to clear the pitch and get the match away only an hour an half late. We watched from the UK – with DrT on the edge of our seats as Saints really didn’t get going but still won the match.
The Sixways match was also on TV so again we were on the edge of our seats as Worcester huffed and puffed but couldn’t get past the Saints defence. Then the Ashton and Foden show took over as Foden put Ashton in for a lovely try. A few minutes later, Foden crashed over himself and in the dying minutes, Phil Dowson made sure of the match. One thing I do like about watching the game on TV is I can shout, I can’t do that as a photographer and I do miss it sometimes.
Next up it’s London Irish and 2nd plays 3rd in the Guinness Premiership – how far we have come since those cold days at Esher. Happy New Year and bring it on!
Chris Ashton scores in the dying seconds, Northampton Saints vs Bath, November 2009
When Chris Ashton crossed the line to score in the dying seconds of the match against Bath, I bounced on my little stool and though it didn’t break, it did meet a sad demise as its little legs buckled a bit. But I don’t care – Saints won playing fabulous rugby with a great talent beating his man and powering across the line. A pity the rest of the match wasn’t quite so exciting. The light was appalling and yet again I was sat in the bright blue trousers, glowing gently taking photos in the gloom. Still it’s 4 points and I did manage to gather a good crop of photos.
The match started with Jon Clarke running out ahead of the team to celebrate his 100th appearance for the club. I saw Jon make his try scoring debut as a right wing many moons ago – he is a fine player and a loyal club man who has suffered some horrific injuries and come back. He is playing some great rugby and scoring some excellent tries this season. So I was very proud to be asked to take the photos on the pitch as he ran out.
Jon Clarke running out for his 100th appearance, Northampton Saints vs Bath, December 2009
This week the Heineken Cup returns – Benneton Treviso return to the Gardens for the second season running. I will be sporting my European shirt and am thoroughly looking forward to the day. European rugby adds a frisson to the game and I can’t wait!
Roger Wilson on the charge, Northampton Saints vs Harlequins, November 2009
And so the Saints marched on beating a Quins team that came to the Gardens to play rugby – it was a good competitive match with flowing moves from both sides. The aerial ping pong that the press has got so over-excited about was noticeable by its absence as both teams ran the ball hard at each other. I love how Saints’ forwards and backs interchange so easily – our forwards ability to keep the ball alive and moving quickly is a delight. No player illustrates this better than anybody than Soane Tonga’uiha. His bullocking charge and pass to out Kruger away was glorious. And the big man repeated it a week later at Kingston Park when Chris Ashton was beneficiary. My joy was that I captured the moment though I did fill the D3′s buffer for the first time this season. The following week, Saints made the long trip to Kingston Park to play the Newcastle Falcons – to win in the style they did was mightily impressive. Euan Murray clearly made his presence felt when he came on in the second half. I am delighted for the hat-trick scoring Chris Ashton – he is rewarding his coaches for their patience last season.
The long nights of winter are drawing in so taking action photos is becoming a real challenge. The 80-400mm lens will be in the bag for some time to come as the light is just too poor for an f5.6 lens. Still the 70-200mm is a great lens if a bit short – I am still dreaming about that 400mm lens I used at the Munster game.
Tomorrow it’s Bath and we’re all hoping for a better result than the draw we achieved last season – please hope the referee gets into the right position this time when a ‘try’ is scored. I’ll be in the red hat pitchside wearing the thermals as I think it’s going to be a cold one!
Bruce Reihana, Juandre Kruger, Northampton Saints vs Saracens, November 2009
That has to be the wettest I have ever been at a rugby match – it started raining as I was shooting the under 12′s matches in the Land Rover Cup and continued for several hours until the start of the second half. It was hard keeping all the gear dry but the cameras did well in the conditions and I was pleased with the LV= Cup photos and the ones of the youngsters.
Saints did enough to win with one moment of genius from Ben Foden lighting up the game. His kick through the Saracens defence for Chris Ashton to score was a brilliant piece of play. Ben is a player who can change the game in the blink of a eye. He has played so well in the past few weeks – it is bewildering how England can ignore such talent. Meanwhile, Chris Ashton goes from strength to strength – his balance and pace were always there, now he has the union knowledge to go with it. Unusually for me this season, I missed both of the tries. The first one was blocked by the substitutes warming up, the second by the pile of bodies on top of Christian Day. Oh how I wanted him to cross the whitewash again!
This week it’s Quins. The RFU has granted them until 10.30am tomorrow to name the team. Saints have named their strongest available side – it’s great to see Euan Murray back from injury. It’s amazing how fast he has got back from injury. Courtney Lawes is also back from England duty – I pity the recipient of his first tackle when he comes on – ouch! Here’s hoping for some running rugby, played at pace and without the mindless kicking of the ball.
For me, it’s an under 7′s and 8′s tournament with the Community folks in the morning and then pitchside for the Quins match. I can’t wait!
Chris Ashton, Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints, October 2009
I do like shooting at Welford Road despite the pain of the floodlights causing a yellow cast on my photos. The staff are really helpful and the local photographers very welcoming. The media team had set up a special area in front of the club house for the photographers and even better we could stand up as there were no seats behind us. And it was the perfect place to be as Saints had clearly got a game plan to attack Tigers’ wing on that side of the pitch. It worked like a treat as Chris Ashton made one try for Christian Day and scored one himself. But for two mistakes, Saints could have won that match despite being dominated up front. Roger Wilson rescued so much ball from the back of the scrum he deserved a medal. My MoM was Bruce Reihana – he is having a wonderful season. It doesn’t matter where the coaches put him in the back three he’s secure in defence and so creative in attack. (He has to get a new contract IMHO).
On the photography front, I managed to secure a much better selection of images than I did at last year’s match. The 70-200mm worked well though it would have been really useful to have a longer lens for the midfield clashes. The D3 is really working well this season – it tracks the plays so accurately and as a result I am getting some superb images such as the one at the top of this blog.
The LV= Anglo-Welsh Cup has started and I have no idea how it works – in fact the rules of the competition are so arcane, I can’t actually describe them! Saints got off to a winning start in Wales against Ospreys – I missed the match as Essex to Wales and back on a Thursday night just wasn’t feasible. Congratuations to James Cannon for his try – the second row club are doing rather nicely at the moment!
My invite to GoogleWave arrived this week – what fun! Real time collaborating is going to be very interesting – I like the way two people can work on the same ‘wave’ at the same time. In fact, more than two could but I don’t have that many friends at the moment! As a photographer, I can see real opportunities if the copyright Google insists on is fair – being able to share images through multiple channels from one place would be really useful. It will be interesting to see how this tool evolves.
Next up for me is the match against Sarries in the incomprehensible LV= Cup… let’s hope it’s a blue bib and some sunshine! Meanwhile the rest of the photos from the Leicester match can be found ‘ere…
Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints, October 2009
