Proud Saints fans have been hailing a stirring performance from their team at Clermont in the Challenge Cup, earning a bonus point.
Saints Director of Rugby Chris Boyd said: “You never like to lose but I think it was quite an enjoyable game.”
Saints fans were delighted with the end to end attacking rugby but referee John Lacey was accused of missing high tackles and allowing Clermont to go off their feet at the breakdown.
The following is a sampling of social media after the game:
A great game and advert for #ChallengeCupRugby with both teams eager to play running rugby✨@ASMOfficiel have booked their route 🔜 to the next round winning 48-40 🥇
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 12, 2019
after fighting off an ambitious @SaintsRugby side 🤼♂️
Game of the season?? 🧐
👇👇https://t.co/tiGcOFcTpf pic.twitter.com/VG9ZewW0Uk
Credit to @SaintsRugby a great performance against Clermont. Well done guys
— Jez (@Jez107M) January 12, 2019
K Saturday Cocoa – Rosie’s chicken wraps, Mousetrap, Connect4 and gripping Clermont vs Saints rugby match. @RadleyKSocial #KSocial pic.twitter.com/JPoG24fUCj
— Radley College K Social (@RadleyKSocial) January 12, 2019
A bonus point for the #Saints at Clermont… shame it wasn't two in the end, but a cracking effort. Brilliant 7th try from the hosts but to get six at the Marcel Michelin was impressive by Northampton. @ERChallengeCup
— Donovan Blake (@DonovanBlakeitv) January 12, 2019
That’s better! #Clermont play the second half in white…
— Will Kelleher (@willgkelleher) January 12, 2019
According to @WheresTommyV at the ground Monsieur Le President wasn’t happy. Nor was anyone watching..!
Amazing how these things don’t get sorted before kick off#ChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/idz7opLN9K
A bonus point for the #Saints at Clermont… shame it wasn't two in the end, but a cracking effort. Brilliant 7th try from the hosts but to get six at the Marcel Michelin was impressive by Northampton. @ERChallengeCup
— Donovan Blake (@DonovanBlakeitv) January 12, 2019
Lacey only gave one high tackle against Clermont out of dozens. Seems like he lost his bottle and was intimidated by the French crowd
— Jack Taylor (@jacktaylor16_) January 12, 2019
premrugby: 😱 It's all over in France 😱
— ItsAllRugby (@ItsAllRugby_com) January 12, 2019
ASMOfficiel edged a crazy game, but SaintsRugby pushed them all the way in a thriller 👏#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/1DsnPWeJ5V
Wasn't expecting the game to be quite that open. Heck of a performance from Saints but Clermont through with a 48-40 win, and guaranteed a top two seed so home quarters and semi
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) January 12, 2019
Hard to see who is going to stop them reaching the final #ASMvNOR
Clermont and Saints just having a game of touch rugby? No defence allowed.
— Andrew Reynolds (@Andy_RennRugby) January 12, 2019
Very impressed with @JaamesGrayson10 against Clermont. Just an awesome maturity from him under pressure @SaintsRugby @WheresTommyV
— Hilary Scott (@nosylocaljourno) January 12, 2019
For a long time the Saturday 8pm Challenge Cup game has had a tendency to be bonkers, but Clermont and Northampton are taking it to new levels tonight
— Alex Klymyszyn (@AlexKlymyszyn) January 12, 2019
Why didn’t I go to Clermont! Why 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫
— Carl O'Dell (@ODellBoy) January 12, 2019
Massive game 🔥@SaintsRugby 2 teams for a good game 🙌🏻🙌🏻 See you later 👋 @ChallengeCup_FR pic.twitter.com/rzP0tZXiD1
— ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) January 12, 2019
Deserved more to be fair and agree with you about Lacey … not my fav ref either that's for sure
— Tim ….🏴 (@timdobbsphoto) January 12, 2019
Does lacey know lying in front of a ruck stopping the team clearing out is a penalty for the attacking team not the defensive
— Dan Hayward (@dan_hayward87) January 12, 2019
John Lacey does not know what he is doing at the breakdown! Players flopping over, not supporting their own weight! #iamfurious we are being unfairly treated!
— Sandy Masterman (@SandyMasterman) January 12, 2019
Teimana Harrison mugging off Peter Betham like that is one of the most outrageous things I've ever seen on a rugby field #ChallengeCupRugby
— Marc Bazeley (@MarcBazeley) January 12, 2019
