Through the year’s displays many questions have been raised by optimistic and pessimistic Saints supporters alike, just how good are our young boys?
Have standards in the Premiership risen in our absence?
How do we recruit top players without anyone thinking us a soft touch, or an easy pay cheque?
But while we've been racking our brains at least we have had some top-notch rugby to watch, some new friends to make and some new spots to visit.  Mind you we knew that coming down a division would not be too pleasant, the scores that other sides in the Premiership may have seen whilst nibbling toast on a Sunday morning may have implied easy performances against poor teams but often times this was far from the case.    Respect is earned not given and so it proved to be the case in Division 1 just as in ay other league.  We have had plenty of days to remember this season, and it will serve us well to recall them in the darker days of next year.  

 

So shall we crack on with it eh?  

 

Everyone seemed to like Cornwall...

Best Opposing Supporters?

Pirates

 

 

This is a close run thing but I think the Cornish Pirates must come out on top.
 
They were hospitable over the entire weekend at pubs, clubs and at the ground itself. After shouting passionately for their team for the entire game I will never forget the bunch stood behind us queuing up to shake our hands at the end of the match. And the beer wasn't bad either. Exeter – for their stubborn belief by the end of the year that they'd never said this was their promotion year at all. 

The posters on rolling-maul.com for allowing us to know what makes a Real Rugby supporter – bigotry, myopia, and a chronic lack of a sense of humour normally only witnessed in Bath fans. 

 

Didn’t visit many so from my experience I’d say Esher! They did well to cope with us all

 

 

Darren Fox, certainly improved at the breakdown and hasn’t conceded as many penalties. Paul Diggin. Had a golden opportunity because of Sean’s injury and took his chance well.

Keith Barwell, for keeping his mouth shut.

                                                         
Tempted to say Chris Ashton as, for a player new to Union, to blow away the previous try scoring records having not even played in all the games, is a staggering achievement, but most improved? Probably not as he literally hit the ground running.

                              
Alex Rae – has really taken the opportunity Big Jim has given him this season.

Ref for the Season?  

Chris White’s league game visit - for his good banter knowing the fans were listening

Which departee will we miss the most?

Paul Tupai, he gives his all, and a lot more! His impact when he first arrived was very noticeable!

Johnny Howard.  He's been around a long time and just got on with things, improving all the time. Perhaps it'll be missing him in a more emotional way rather than on the field what with our new signings, but still he will be missed a lot.

Foxy or Damo.  Depends who we recruit to replace them.  It's a shame to see Sharky go but scrum half seems to be nicely covered.  

It was amazing to see Sharky still  turn up to coach the JSA boys at Moulton even after he knew he was on his way.  At the end of the session they shouted across to let him know that they were to finish for the night and he told them he needed a few more minutes to finish off making a point to the lads.  Top man.  It won’t be the same without Toops, but he might have struggled next year.  Like Sharky he might have been handy on the bench.   Damien Browne – the word ballast is used in sentences with his name more than buffoon is in sentences about Boris Johnson. If a suitable replacement isn't found over the summer, his loss will affect the Saints as negatively as the grotesquely inept clown's election will London.

 

Which newcomer will have the most impact? 

 

Ben Foden, he seems in amazing form at Sale and will suit the way our backs play.

Nick Johnston will earn his corn over the next few weeks…  Player wise I think that Neil Best will really add something to our back row.  

Obviously Ben F is the most eye catching so far but perhaps Lee Dickson might have something to say.