Bulls cowed by Saints 

After a week of rumours about travel plans and likely team members the Vodacom Bulls finally took to the pristine turf on the Gardens on Saturday night.

We were wondering not only who they would bring but also what style of rugby would they bring? Jake White, DoR had promised that even without certain first team members the Bulls were still one of the most physical sides on the planet.

So would the Bulls manage to bully us upfront before cutting lose and like a herd of wildebeest sweep majestically across the plain?In short no to both questions – if anyone was doing any majestic sweeping it was those in GB&G!

And the majestic sweeping was quickly in evidence when with just ten minutes on the clock James Ramm took the ball from Dingers to charge from the half way line for a classic try. A few dummies sold along the way and it was a good job he was successful as Tommy Freeman was available with a clear run to the try line – there could have been words!

Bulls struck back with a converted try but then forwards had a go at the majestic sweeping as the giant strides of first Alex Coles and then Courtney made swift work of half of the pitch to ground the ball – the long arm – actually slightly bent this time – of the Lawes securing the score. Fin converted.

Then the Smith of the Bulls kind got penalty to keep them within touching distance before Birthday Boy Ollie Sleightholme did what Ollie does and evading tackle after tackle crashed over the line.

Alex Mitchell then proved he was back to his sniping best, a swift break from the base of a ruck and over he went! Fin booted the conversion and all looked peachy.

But the marauding Bulls had other ideas. They trampled their way down field and prop Akker Van Der Merwe continued the family tradition of scoring against the English with a bullocking run over the line.Then they had a brief episode of majestic sweeping with an intercept as Saints were pushing for another score. Winger De Klerk raced the full length of the field with Ollie Sleights in close pursuit to make it safely under the posts.

With one conversion from the two tries Saints went in 28-22 leaders.

We were barely back from the bars and toilets before the majestic sweeping started up again. This time Tommy Freeman grabbed the regal broom and Alex Coles finished off the move. The man is becoming a try scoring machine!

Rambo then finished another scintillating move involving Dingers and Fin to keep the score ticking over. And Dingers was unfortunately involved in another passage of play which seemed to indicate the Bulls come back. What looked like a certain try was called back by the TMO for a tip tackle on Dingers. How it wasn’t a red card I do not know but then, I’m not a ref. No 8 Hanekom went for ten minutes on the naughty step, and to be fair looked suitably sheepish and crestfallen.

Dingers then got his revenge in the best way possible with a try of his own.

Meanwhile the forwards were doing their bit grinding down the physicality of the South Africans and a trio of scrum penalties gave Saints the territory then needed and Mitch once again spotted the gap and shot through from short range.

Then less majestic sweeping more of a royal rumble – Juarno Augustus forced his way over the line – a score that will be particularly sweet for him as a former Stormer’s stalwart.

Saints finished 59-22 winners and for the second time in the knock-out rounds nilled the opposition in the second half.

Whether or not it was the strongest side Bulls could put out, whether or not they were jaded from travelling it was still a stellar performance from Saints – as acknowledged by Bulls boss Jake White.

Upwards and onwards – before we get to the Croke Park showdown we have an East Midlands derby to deal with then a trip to Twickers for our game against Quins. The big games just keep on coming.

Enjoy the photographs which are, as ever from Claire Jones – more here:

Red Hat Photography. And to see and hear Photographer Claire and your correspondence talking things Saintly rugby – have a listen to Ladies Wot Pod.

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