Travis Perkins and Northampton Saints - the foundation of a great Rugby Union
Northampton Rugby Football Club began life in 1880 and is now one of the giants of English Rugby Union.Many Home Nation Internationals have donned the green, black and gold shirt of the 'Saints', including Jeff Butterfield and Dickie Jeeps who both captained England in the 40's and 50's, and modern day greats including Tim Rodber, Nick Beal, Matt Dawson and Scotsmen Budge Poutney and Gregor Townsend. The current squad boasts England Internationals Ben Foden and Dylan Hartley, and Scotland Internationals Scott Gray and Euan Murray.
Saints was also home to England's 2003 World Cup heroes Paul Grayson, Matt Dawson, Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen.
Northampton Saints are the current holders of the European Challenge Cup.
Travis Perkins has been supportive of Northampton Saints for many years. In addition to being the club's main sponsor since the 2000/01 season, the Travis family have been life-long supporters and were instrumental in the stadium redevelopment.
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Northampton Saints 15
Bourgoin 3
European Challenge Cup Final
Friday 22 May 2009 - Twickenham Stoop
Saints take home the trophy and head into the Heineken Cup
A balmy evening, the inevitable tension that always accompanies a final and no doubt a beer or two enjoyed by the supporters of both sides who had travelled to south-west London had the Twickenham Stoop rocking well before kick off.
What the Bourgoin support lacked in number they more than made up for boisterous enthusiasm. But they were matched by the nigh-on eight thousand who had braved the bank holiday traffic on the M25.
So the stage was set. All that was left was for the players to deliver. And they delivered an enthralling contest that was both physically intense but also showed no little ambition.
The first mini-victory went the way of the Saints when Juandre Kruger stole a Bougoin lineout on the French 22. Although this in itself did not lead to points the lift it gave the Saints was visible. The first wave of attacks was repelled, but when Benjamin Boyet missed touch Bruce Reihana and Ben Foden combined to set up an attack that swept its way deep into Bourgoin territory. A penalty was won and Stephen Myler kept his nerve to open the scoring.
Having put the first points on the board the next challenge was to withstand the inevitable French fightback. But while Bourgoin tried to impose themselves out wide and through the middle the defence remained solid. Indeed a turnover on halfway gave Saints the first sight of the try line. Quick hands put Paul Diggin clear, and though the winger’s kick ahead was well judged the cover was there just in time and a drop out was awarded.
The fans at the other end weren’t being denied a sight of action though and Jean-Francois Coux’s break set up a chance for prop Arnaud Tchougong. The big prop was on the rampage but again the line held and Reihana cleared to halfway. The preceding scrum had seen handbags between the front rows and this was replicated on the touchline between Diggin and Bourgoin full back Anthony Forest.
Neither led to anything serious, nor did Saints lose their concentration. A second Myler penalty increased the lead after 22 minutes and it could have been more in the next passage of play. Myler broke from deep, and after Diggin had a go through the middle the ball was whipped out wide and into the Bourgoin red zone. Unfortunately the penalty that was awarded this time went against Scott Gray for holding on and Morgan Parra was able to clear unimpeded.
Bourgoin may have been on the back foot for large parts but their heads didn’t drop. They still needed points, however, and when the Saints front row was penalised for standing up Parra was given a chance from in front of the sticks. The French international has been deadly with his boot this season and this was no different. The 34th-minute attempt was on target and Bourgoin were on the board.
The tension finally spilled over a minute later. Referee George Clancy had waved play on at a ruck, but Bourgoin were affronted by Neil Best’s attempts to get the ball. Players from both sides piled in and after a discussion with his assistants referee Clancy sent Best and Parra to cool their heels for 10 minutes.
Again Saints refused to let the incident affect their concentration and a third Myler penalty took the score to 9-3. Boyet tried to reply immediately, but his audacious drop-goal dropped just under the bar and the 28 players headed for a well earned breather.
Both teams had their opportunities in the first 60 seconds after play had resumed. Foden and Dylan Hartley both asked questions of the sky blue defence and Yann David came within a last-ditch Kruger tackle of a breakaway try.
Mistakes were starting to creep in too – a direct kick into touch here, a forward pass there. But the next points came thanks to some good old-fashioned defensive pressure. Courtney Lawes led the way with a great tackle, and this was followed up by one fumble after another and eventually a loose kick.
Reihana returned this with interest, Bourgoin infringed at the breakdown and Myler extended the lead to 12-3. A drop-goal attempt four minutes later drifted wide, but it was a rare mistake from the fly half who
The same couldn’t be said for Bourgoin, however, who failed to make the most of a Saints midfield fumble. Instead the defence continued to swarm with Lawes again to the fore with a trademark tackle on Parra.
Lawes showed his prowess at the lineout next with a take that set up Saints’ next opportunity. Reihana came off his wing at pace and slid through a pass for Jon Clarke to chase. The skipper was in attendance too, and though the initial danger was de-fused a penalty was conceded. Saints’ growing confidence was evident by the decision to kick to the corner, but while a scrum was forthcoming so was another penalty, this time for the Frenchmen.
As time ticked on points became even more of a premium. And though Myler missed a second drop-goal attempt there was no hesitation when a penalty was awarded on the Bourgoin 10-metre line. Myler took aim, the assistant referees’ flags were raised and with 10 minutes to go the score was Saints 15, Bourgoin 3.
The French outfit now needed tries, but although a Lawes fumble at a lineout gave them a great opportunity another superb tackle by the replacement left Parra needing treatment. A forward pass gave Saints a scrum, and the break in play allowed the followers in black, green and gold the opportunity to give Tom Smith a standing ovation for his last action for the club.
With full-time beckoning Bourgoin’s frustration spilled over, and when Thomas Genevois landed several punches on Lawes a red card seemed likely, and was shown. Down to 14 men Bourgoin continued to play, but while a try would have been a mere consolation the Saints had no intention of letting it happen and the final whistle brought scenes of wild jubilation.
Teams:
Northampton Saints – Foden; Diggin, Clarke (Ansbro 70mins), Downey, Reihana (capt); Myler (Everitt 79mins), Dickson (Dickens 66mins); Tonga’uiha (Smith 74mins), Hartley (Sharman 78mins), Murray, Fernandez Lobbe (Lawes 40mins), Kruger (Day 70mins), Best, Gray, Easter.
Bourgoin – A Forest; Coetzee, Viazzo, David, Coux (Denos 55mins); Boyet, Parra (M Forest 74mins); Tchougong (Cardinali 68mins), J-P Genevois (Vigneaux 58mins), Wihongi, Levast, Basson (Nicholas 52mins), Frier (capt), Jooste, Labrit (T Genevois 63mins).
Scorers:
Northampton Saints – Pens: Myler (5).
Bourgoin – Pen: Parra.
Red card:
T Genevois (78mins)
Yellow cards:
Best (36mins)
Parra (36mins)
Referee:
George Clancy (IRFU)
FedEx man of the match:
Dylan Hartley
Bourgoin 3
European Challenge Cup Final
Friday 22 May 2009 - Twickenham Stoop
Saints take home the trophy and head into the Heineken Cup
A balmy evening, the inevitable tension that always accompanies a final and no doubt a beer or two enjoyed by the supporters of both sides who had travelled to south-west London had the Twickenham Stoop rocking well before kick off.
What the Bourgoin support lacked in number they more than made up for boisterous enthusiasm. But they were matched by the nigh-on eight thousand who had braved the bank holiday traffic on the M25.
So the stage was set. All that was left was for the players to deliver. And they delivered an enthralling contest that was both physically intense but also showed no little ambition.
The first mini-victory went the way of the Saints when Juandre Kruger stole a Bougoin lineout on the French 22. Although this in itself did not lead to points the lift it gave the Saints was visible. The first wave of attacks was repelled, but when Benjamin Boyet missed touch Bruce Reihana and Ben Foden combined to set up an attack that swept its way deep into Bourgoin territory. A penalty was won and Stephen Myler kept his nerve to open the scoring.
Having put the first points on the board the next challenge was to withstand the inevitable French fightback. But while Bourgoin tried to impose themselves out wide and through the middle the defence remained solid. Indeed a turnover on halfway gave Saints the first sight of the try line. Quick hands put Paul Diggin clear, and though the winger’s kick ahead was well judged the cover was there just in time and a drop out was awarded.
The fans at the other end weren’t being denied a sight of action though and Jean-Francois Coux’s break set up a chance for prop Arnaud Tchougong. The big prop was on the rampage but again the line held and Reihana cleared to halfway. The preceding scrum had seen handbags between the front rows and this was replicated on the touchline between Diggin and Bourgoin full back Anthony Forest.
Neither led to anything serious, nor did Saints lose their concentration. A second Myler penalty increased the lead after 22 minutes and it could have been more in the next passage of play. Myler broke from deep, and after Diggin had a go through the middle the ball was whipped out wide and into the Bourgoin red zone. Unfortunately the penalty that was awarded this time went against Scott Gray for holding on and Morgan Parra was able to clear unimpeded.
Bourgoin may have been on the back foot for large parts but their heads didn’t drop. They still needed points, however, and when the Saints front row was penalised for standing up Parra was given a chance from in front of the sticks. The French international has been deadly with his boot this season and this was no different. The 34th-minute attempt was on target and Bourgoin were on the board.
The tension finally spilled over a minute later. Referee George Clancy had waved play on at a ruck, but Bourgoin were affronted by Neil Best’s attempts to get the ball. Players from both sides piled in and after a discussion with his assistants referee Clancy sent Best and Parra to cool their heels for 10 minutes.
Again Saints refused to let the incident affect their concentration and a third Myler penalty took the score to 9-3. Boyet tried to reply immediately, but his audacious drop-goal dropped just under the bar and the 28 players headed for a well earned breather.
Both teams had their opportunities in the first 60 seconds after play had resumed. Foden and Dylan Hartley both asked questions of the sky blue defence and Yann David came within a last-ditch Kruger tackle of a breakaway try.
Mistakes were starting to creep in too – a direct kick into touch here, a forward pass there. But the next points came thanks to some good old-fashioned defensive pressure. Courtney Lawes led the way with a great tackle, and this was followed up by one fumble after another and eventually a loose kick.
Reihana returned this with interest, Bourgoin infringed at the breakdown and Myler extended the lead to 12-3. A drop-goal attempt four minutes later drifted wide, but it was a rare mistake from the fly half who
The same couldn’t be said for Bourgoin, however, who failed to make the most of a Saints midfield fumble. Instead the defence continued to swarm with Lawes again to the fore with a trademark tackle on Parra.
Lawes showed his prowess at the lineout next with a take that set up Saints’ next opportunity. Reihana came off his wing at pace and slid through a pass for Jon Clarke to chase. The skipper was in attendance too, and though the initial danger was de-fused a penalty was conceded. Saints’ growing confidence was evident by the decision to kick to the corner, but while a scrum was forthcoming so was another penalty, this time for the Frenchmen.
As time ticked on points became even more of a premium. And though Myler missed a second drop-goal attempt there was no hesitation when a penalty was awarded on the Bourgoin 10-metre line. Myler took aim, the assistant referees’ flags were raised and with 10 minutes to go the score was Saints 15, Bourgoin 3.
The French outfit now needed tries, but although a Lawes fumble at a lineout gave them a great opportunity another superb tackle by the replacement left Parra needing treatment. A forward pass gave Saints a scrum, and the break in play allowed the followers in black, green and gold the opportunity to give Tom Smith a standing ovation for his last action for the club.
With full-time beckoning Bourgoin’s frustration spilled over, and when Thomas Genevois landed several punches on Lawes a red card seemed likely, and was shown. Down to 14 men Bourgoin continued to play, but while a try would have been a mere consolation the Saints had no intention of letting it happen and the final whistle brought scenes of wild jubilation.
Teams:
Northampton Saints – Foden; Diggin, Clarke (Ansbro 70mins), Downey, Reihana (capt); Myler (Everitt 79mins), Dickson (Dickens 66mins); Tonga’uiha (Smith 74mins), Hartley (Sharman 78mins), Murray, Fernandez Lobbe (Lawes 40mins), Kruger (Day 70mins), Best, Gray, Easter.
Bourgoin – A Forest; Coetzee, Viazzo, David, Coux (Denos 55mins); Boyet, Parra (M Forest 74mins); Tchougong (Cardinali 68mins), J-P Genevois (Vigneaux 58mins), Wihongi, Levast, Basson (Nicholas 52mins), Frier (capt), Jooste, Labrit (T Genevois 63mins).
Scorers:
Northampton Saints – Pens: Myler (5).
Bourgoin – Pen: Parra.
Red card:
T Genevois (78mins)
Yellow cards:
Best (36mins)
Parra (36mins)
Referee:
George Clancy (IRFU)
FedEx man of the match:
Dylan Hartley