A first defeat of the season for your Saints away in France, as the absence of regulars Jonny Lomax and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook made things tougher for the boys in the Redvee.
The 18-10 defeat in the pouring rain to Catalans Dragons was disappointing, with some positive signs. Here are the best of the #SixWordMatchReport entries – and they swing from the philosophical to the angry….
First up, an entry via the comments on our Instant Fan Reaction video on YouTube, where Paul Berry wants us to splash the cash:
Break the bank to keep Fages
This was echoed by Alan Cottington on Facebook:
Get the chequebook out for Theo
The loss of the French captain was definitely felt by Saints and, with the withdrawal of Jonny Lomax, fans were quick to point out that the inexperience of our half backs didn’t help the cause:
Missed Theo and L M S – Elizabeth McCarthy
No Lomax, No Fages, No Win – Andy Waddilove
Missed halfbacks no ball players. – Stuart Ratcliffe
Two inexperienced halfbacks aren’t the answer – Stephen Roach
We missed Jonny Lomax big time. – Phil Grundy
Shows how much we need Lomax – Mike Morris
Lomax and Fages badly missed today – @kev298
Lack of experience at half back. – @jonimac4978
Halves not up to the pressure – @debz1966
Fages importance missed when he’s gone – @saintpablo91
We would have won with Fages – @z1zico
Team selection can polarise opinion, and emotions are always running high after a defeat:
Leave Richardson alone, needs time guys – Jonathan Rahaman
Danny Richardson piss poor, Theo Lomax – Chris Swift
As well as a few fans disheartened with the performance – not only of the Saints, but of the man in the middle:
Sort out handling before Good Friday. – Matt David
Yet again weak officiating takes precedence – John Lewis
Flopping, lie-on-athon, simulation, grubs, weak officiating! – Martin Harvey
Not a rugby brain between them – James Clare
Move out the f****** way ref – @tony_gee21
Why didn’t we take the two – @jackker28230367
Didn’t turn up on the day – @bjh74blueyonder
S Men not clinical enough tonight – @emzz6
Poor display, poor opposition, poor refereeing. – @hotly5
No shape’ no bite’ no threat – @davedillon2
But a lot of you were magnanimous and reflective in defeat – including infamous Redvee TV contributor Peter ‘the Scot’ Elder and Phil Lowthian’s poetic entry:
Fiery Dragons subdue Saints in Perpignan – @bold_ken
Saints lose at Catalans, overeacting fans – @phillowthian
We lost one, come back stronger @simonbatty1_sam
Yer can’t win them all COYS – @sthrlfc
Not good enough on the night. – @svernazza1394
Rain, Effort, Rudderless, Disappointing, Over reaction – @normdeplume
Injury hit Saints slip to defeat – Joseph Coy
Unsaintly performance helps Dragons win narrowly. – John Case
Ah, never mind always next week – Derek Anthony Hayes
Just one game, calm down folks – Jonny Edwards
Credit to Catalan awesome defence COYS – Frank Porrino
Tough Catalans defence, poor attack options – Neil Okell
Learn from defeat, prepare for Wire – Stephen John
Got beat, learn, come back stronger! – Phil Sephton
Toughest team we’ve faced this year – Matty Consuela Morrey
Best team won on the day – Ian Overmire
Excellent Dragons defence, no Saints creativity – John Wilson
Not good enough on the day! – Karen Leyland
It’s just one game, calm down! – Graham Tubey
Unlucky guys, onwards and upwards COYS – Dawn Polak
Tomorrow is another day, Que Sera – Andy Waddilove
It was always going to happen – Mike Noonan
Saints succumb to a Catalan backlash – Linda Pownall
Put it behind us, move on – Andrew Howard
It had to happen, move on! – Peter Elder
Can’t win them all, fight again – Johnny Wright
Our first defeat. Onwards and upwards – Neil Barlow
Best team won on the day – Chris Rich
Won eight lost one joint top – Mike Mather
A few of you weren’t happy with the condition of the pitch at the Stade Gilbert Brutus – we always have time for a bit of alliteration –
Muddy mire made messy match murder. – @lozzyklingers
Hicks, weather, complacent and no idea – Dave Alexander
If that’s SUMMER RUGBY , keep it . – Peter Faz Farrell
Saints struggled in the Catalan mud – Kevin Rice
God awful pitch slows Saints down – Michael Derbyshire
A Poor game weather didn’t help – Julie Kennedy
In the mud we must run – Jason Sutton
Saints slip up in the mud – Marie Bullough
We had a couple of tongue in cheek entries with echoes of early 2013/14 and Dad’s Army…
It’s that time, get Brown out. – Jennifer Alice Rose
We’re all doomed, I say doomed – @jonom77
We also had some opposition fans come and bait us…including a Wiganer who has taken a bit of time away from their relegation battle, the Shaun Edwards issue and the lack of discipline within their players to have a pop. Mind the gap…
You were knocked off your perch – @june65wigan
Wire are going to get you. – @fatbelly57
We Are Top Of The League – @tobyrgriffiths
And you are looking forward to Friday with Lee Butler and others giving their views on the defeat and the future – and a couple of fans pointing out where Wire have lost this season too…
Rather lose to cats than wolves! – Lee Butler
Monkey off our back…. move on – Dave Wilson Snr
Warrington fucked up at Catalans too – Alan Gartland
Don’t forget Wire lost here too – Lesley O’Connor
Bring on Wire Friday Night #COYS – @ryanmuldoonuk
Gutted let’s do wire on Friday – @tonytyesthelens
Overreacting perhaps, smash Wire on Friday! – @sek40
And finally, Saints fans turned up in their numbers and got the plaudits from the local media in France for their behaviour…
Saints have the best supporters FACT! – Karen Leyland
We’ll be back next week after the Warrington game for more #SixWordMatchReports!