Thought I saw Ratchford very deep collecting a kick in the first half, if not fair enough. I still back Regan to burn them both in a straight line.
I have stated it is easy from here to pick tactics to play the game especially with the benefit of hindsight as it is not my head on the line if it goes wrong.
I would like us to try something different in big games, we have a gem on our wing with exceptional pace who did not get a chance to show it.
One of the best chip over the top tries I ever saw was Austin Rhodes accompanied by ? Alan Whittle at Knowsley Rd. 25 yd tap kicked over opposition regathered then another chip over on coming full back pass on and scored. Thrilling rugby.
Are you that vintage Belgian ?
I worked with Austin at Cowley Hill, many lads said he was a good` un but lacked a half a yard of pace, he insisted he was being compared to Murphy whom Austin said had a rocket up his arse.
Vinty, Murphy and Austin used to "do" the coupon between them when the handicap suited, he was in on it because he kicked the goals said it was a good way to make an extra few quid.
Must have been very early 70s maybe 70/71 season
From memory I think Rhodes played in the 1956 CC final and in the 1961CC final. then a season or 2 later he left, I think he went to Leigh.
I recall he came back to Saints late 60s and may still have been there early 70s, I was working down south around that time so lost touch for a couple years. I do recall coming home Xmas 1970 and going to the boxing day game against Wigan... it was a freezing day and the game was abandoned at half time.
I can’t remember many charge downs working. I think its one of those plays that only a wiley player can pull off. You can’t coach a team to charge down kicks. You need a player who knows when to go for it. Wilkin at Wembley against Hull springs to mind IIRC, and Tommy Martyn at Wigan in 2000 when we came back from 16-0 to win. He charged down Farrells kick then got away from the ginger turnstile to score
screaming in the family corner, scaring the kiddies
Graham Rees wembley 1972 v Leeds. The fastest try scored at wembley
it was 68. rhodes played full back on a freezing cold day and eric ashton spent more time moaning to the ref about the conditions than he did playing. saints were winning 11 - 3 in front of 20,000 when the match was called off at half time.