Last season ended in a Saturday we will all never forget. Any one of 6 clubs could have been relegated including the two playing at Sixways on that gloriously sunny day.

Warriors were hosting Saints in a winner take all contest where the loser "could" have been relegated. As it was results at other games were more significant, but the tension and passion that day was incredible.

What was more incredible was the spirit of the players AND the 8,377 sell out crowd of supporters from Northampton and Worcester.

Who will ever forget it?

Today was the return. It was time again for those two great sets of supporters to gather at Franklyn's Gardens and once again watch their teams meet head on. If watch is the right word for such passionate supporters.

This game was just as significant! Saints had lost 5 games in succession and were driven to lift themselves above all around them. The Warriors, in only their second season in the premiership were fighting to stay in the melting pot for Heineken Cup qualification. A target which will once again help lift the whole club onto yet another level.

It was a big game in every sense of the word

No quarter would be asked and none would be given. The mighty pack so well coached by John Brain was decimated through injury and international call ups. Half the pack was missing including our inspirational captain, Pat Sanderson.

Saints were full of quality backs capable of scoring tries from anywhere, as they had shown all other clubs. Including a 22:7 beating of Worcester at Sixways in the "silly" cup.

Could Worcester starve them of good quality ball, could the ever improving backs at Worcester continue and use the ball they would get from their pack.

Only time would tell

The wonderfully talented Carlos Spencer got the game underway and both sets of supporters let loose and relieved their pent up, extremely loyal and passionate support. It was now 90 minutes of total commitment to the cause and both sets of supporters were magnificent. Mixing freely in the stands, enjoying each other's company, the atmosphere was one of anxious euphoria!

The first line out went the way of the throw but the signs of Saints problems were immediately evident. Gillies, Murphy and Co were about to have a field day stealing ball at will.

However, Saints had the ball mid field and were attacking at speed. Worcester were pinged early and Reihana had his first shot at goal. Luckily for Worcester it slid wide of the uprights, but well within his range. The Warriors would have to be very careful.

That is exactly how the Warriors responded. With some powerful forward play committing in the opposition and very quickly spinning it out wide.

Drahm, was back in his den and he was about to show what a good player he is. Short and long passes were equally mixed enabling the back three of Le Roux, Delport and the fizzing Havili to show their paces and start asking some defensive question so early in the game

His running lines coupled with Drahm's timing of a pass was shredding the Saints defence. Break after break was appearing as Thomas showed a clean pair of heels to the Saint's midfield again and again. With Delport and Havili waiting to finish off these breaks a try was imminent!

It was not long in the coming.

Yet another clean break from just inside Saint's half saw Lombard storm almost 30 meters untouched. As the tacklers came in Thomas off loaded and the move continued through slick confident hands until it reached Shane Drahm, who had looped around several players in support.

Now out wide on the wing he took a great ball and over he went. The travelling fans were ecstatic and chants of Warriors rent the clear skies and Worcester were in the lead with Drahm calmly converting his own try from wide out on the left.

Saints 0 : Warriors 7

First Delport, then Le Roux and then Havili joined in the "break-fest" being served so freely. Havili's short chip over the top and gather then storming away had the Worcester supporters in raptures.

Saints started to infringe to slow it down and relieve the pressure. Take the fluidity out of the Warriors attacking game and then come back at them

Saints 0 : 10 Warriors.

Spencer and the Saints responded. They were not going to let this happen in their backyard. It was time for them to apply the pressure and see how Worcester would cope. Spencer several times attacked the line as forwards were caught out on the outside. Holes were appearing. First up tackles on him were going to have to be made!

Tony Windo, captaining the team once again in the absence of Pat Sanderson was doing a great job of leadership and motivation. HIS team were right there focussed and fully committed.

With Craig Gillies and Phil Murphy in your armoury you have a double strike force of jumpers on their line as well as your own. They were both magnificent. Line after line was stolen handing great possession and field position back to The Warriors

Once again Drahm released Delport coming round from the left wing and another hole was created, but saints managed to stop the try from being scored with some committed last ditch tackling. Worcester must learn to carry on and drive the nail in deep if they are to start scoring in bigger numbers.

It came quickly and they exploited it well, decisively.

A clean try was scored and converted by their captain taking the score to:

Saints 7 : 10 Warriors

Tony Windo also knew and took the appropriate action. Where was his weapon of mass destruction? In the forwards. Right, apply the pressure drive them backwards and force them to make mistakes.

On came the Worcester forwards as yard after yard was taken. The now obvious threat on the outside keeping the Saints defence on their toes.

The Warriors regained control

Mr Barnes was taking control

Northampton did not learn losing a player of their own to the chair by the touchline,  Drahm punished them taking the score to:

Saints 10 : 16 Warriors

They stormed back on the attack and another Warrior was prematurely rested. Riehana take full revenge.

The half came to an end with the score at:

Saints 13 : 16 Warriors