Next Fixture
Crusaders (H)
Fri 27th May 2011 - Kick off @ 20:00
Pussies tamed
With all the Family off school for the week, I had decided to take Friday off and following an enjoyable couple of hours during the afternoon at Manchester Aviation Park and a pub meal we headed out to Widnes in the usual company of our Cheetham chums.
Pre match beers at the Sports bar saw us meeting up with Geordie saint and Belfast saint and all the other Exiles including Neil and Jane Travis who this week had decided to make the effort despite the temptations of a comfy couch and Sky TV.
As for the game, saints really did us proud putting a spirited Wakefield team to the sword once we had worn them down during a scoreless 15 minute opening period.
For once many of our tries were from long distance and it was very much like watching the saints of old. While it was sad to see young Gaskell limp off it was great to see Gaz Wheeler move to stand off and have a big hand in many of the second half scores. I personally think that is his best position, so where we were always struggling in that position we could soon have four players scrapping for the shirt.
It was also nice to see one of our past sponsored players Chris Dean still doing well and it was fitting that it was him that scored Wakey’s solitary try after an 80 yard interception.
Next week is a very busy one, with at trip to the Piedome on Fridays and Classy Cas on Monday. Both games are mouthwatering and in the context of saints league position I would be more than happy with one win. The key factor will be what troops we can field over the weekend. With Cloughie, Ashurst and Dixon ready in the sidelines to come in we would appear a bit lightweight if we have to do without Jammer and Josh but fingers crossed at least one of them will play.
Happy Easter everyone! COYS
Marquee signing for 2012 season
Saints latest signing
The 28-year-old has played 22 times for the Kiwis and has made his 167 appearances for the Warriors – a club which he made his debut for in 2002.
Saints coach Royce Simmons, stated: “Lance is a proven international. We aim to utilise him as a half back, which is his preferred position, but he does have tremendous utility value and has played most of his recent rugby at full back.
“We have some tremendous young talent in our backs and Lance’s experience and success at the highest levels will be of great benefit in helping to develop their games also.”
Chairman, Eamonn McManus, added: “Lance is a genuine marquee signing for us and will add experience and versatility to our backs. The Club will have a fantastic new stadium next season and we aim to have a team which can grace it.”
Exiles triumph at HQ
Every Thursay Ann and I have bobbed down to the Plough to attend the quiz night. As a team of two we have done ok finishing usually in the pack.
However this Thursday we were joined by the Cheethams and one of our French chums Thierry Legros. As a consequence the exiles team battled through to take the prize money scoring 35 out of 40. Despite the handicap of a few ruby milds and a few bottles of wine.
Willy who
After a hectic weekend on business in Hannover I have finally been able to update my blog.
As I expected the saints put HKR to the sword last Saturday. To sum the match up in one, they just couldn’t cope with our pack, despite having that monster of a man Willy Mason in there line up.
It was more like free willy as he spent 80 minutes of going through the motions. Where he was playing? it was a mystery to me so I would be very disappointed if I was a HKR fan.
It was a slight concern that most of saints tries resulted from moves within 5 metre from the try line but there was one try where we saw Ade Gardner (Yes Adey!) accelerate through a gap to send Wello racing away under the posts.
The crowd of 7800 was certainly lifted and the atmosphere wasn’t half bad to be fair.
With games against Wrexham and Wakey in the next two weeks, two wins would set us up nicely for the pies on Good Friday.
What a difference a week makes
How things change, a couple of weeks ago there was only doom and despair throughout the exiles group as our heroes were soundly thumped by a very average Quinns side. Now after a thrilling win at Leeds and our first home win over an improving Bradford Bulls outfit. We now find ourselves in 4th position with games against Hull KR, the Crusaders and Wakefield in the next three weeks. Should we come out of these with 3 wins I believe that we will again be in the melting pot come the playoffs.
Everyone now seems to be smiling again! The atmosphere at The Halton Stadium doesn’t seem half as bad as we first thought. Our new stadium is going up at a rapid pace and two young inexperienced half backs are gaining valuable game time and are doing OK!
What’s also great is that we have quality troops still to come back the likes of Wilkin and Leon are yet to make their mark this season, although Jon looked really good until his calf strain. We also have young Kyle and I personally hope he does return at some point this year especially if he can reproduce the desire and commitment that is a required to wear our famous RedVee. If not I fear he will continue to play U20’S football, which will be a shame as I would have loved for him to leave the sport on a high rather than a whimper.
As for Friday night, we welcomed for the first time this season Meridian’s from Surrey, our mates Gwyn and Urnie (Helen), who had a great time meeting up with the exiles and also with the Cannock Saints. It was also great to chat with Belfast Saint who we hadn’t seen for a while and our long time friend Diver Dan.
The game itself was won in the first half with Meli, Lomax and Wello prominent ,on the back of a solid pack performance led by Robes and Jammer. It was a shame that the game was spoilt a little by the three contentious sin binnings, two of which left saints defending with 11 players.
The big positive was the 7000+ crowd, who did get more involved this week and this certainly helped the atmosphere.
Bring on big Willy!
Just when you thinks couldn’t get worse
They don’t thank goodnes!
With several of the exiles otherwise engaged the remaining exiles travelled over to Headingly to set up a temporary HQ at the Skyrack where we had arranged to meet up with the Luton exiles mob. With us was Hampshire Dave who had travelled up earlier in the day to attend one his few live games this season.
The build up for this game was a little more subdued than normal as it was 6th V 7th . Both sides had selection/injury problems leading up to the game. Speaking to many of the travelling fans beforehand all most where hoping for was an improved performance with more pride and effort than was shown during the Quinns game last week with most, including myself, not expecting us to win.
How we were all lifted by the Saints younsters and senior players giving us just that and more! winning a thrilling entertaining game leaving everyone on a high. The final try of the game featuring young Fosters juggling skills, resulted in one those very special moments when you find yourself bouncing on the terracing hugging a complete stranger.
While this was a great win we cannot afford to get to carried away. Leeds at times were very ordinary and like ourselves are going through a transitional period but it is a start. Our young halfbacks continue to gain experience and both Lomax and Gaskell provided us with some renewed optimism for the future campaign to come.
My final rap goes to Wello ( who has copped alot ot critisism recently) for his after the match interview. Said it all, more effort and pride in the shirt was needed by ALL the players and its fair to say we got that from 1 – 17 on Saturday.
The evening ended with a posse of the exiles returning to our HQ in Warrington for a few beers. Unfortunately it had been a long day for Hamshire, the poor lad was tired so he ended the evening drinking coke out of a straw!
Kyle suspended
Our well loved starlet had been suspended by the club today on the grounds of gross misconduct. This is no real surprise as his relationship with us the fans and with the club had reached an all time low after Fridays game.
For legal reasons I do not want to speculate as to the factual reasons for the suspension but I am sure that it will soon become public knowledge.
Another sorry day for the redvee!
Volunteers required
We have been asked to supply 6-8 people to help with the St Helens 10k run on Sunday morning.
The registration of runners will take place between 8am-10am and we have been asked to help with this. Unfortunately you will need to be at Birchley Street Car Park by 7-7.30 am for instruction.
After the race we hope to present the Race Night cheque to prekkie at the post race presentation.
Thanks for your support please email me
Happy Birthday Chris Cheatham
Happy birthday Chris fancy sharing your birthday with Hampshire Dave. I hope you had a lovely evening seeing the script in concert.
Did you liked my telephone rendition of ”Happy Birthday”
Happy birthday Hampshire Dave
Happy birthday David from Ann and yours truly. Have a lovely day and we look forward to seeing you Saturday when you come up for the Leeds game.
How old are you?
