Northampton Saints continued their rejuvenated run of form by putting 20
points on Saracens in a 30-10 triumph at Vicarage Road.
The Saints, who had a poor start to the season after being knocked out of the
Heineken Cup and losing several key Premiership games, have clearly started to
hit form again after stringing together a run of three Premiership wins and
reaching the quarter-finals of the Tetley's Bitter Cup.
Northampton's Pat Lam scored the visitors' first try. After recovering from an
earlier heavy knock in which the number eight was substituted the giant Western
Samoan was quick on his feet and picked up the ball from a scrum on Saracens'
goal-line to touch down.
Full-back Paul Grayson missed the conversion but made amends by kicking a
total of five penalties. Ali Hepher also added a drop goal with substitute Joe
Shaw touching down for a converted try in injury time after good work from the
Saints' back line.
Saracens on the other hand were left ruing their costly defeat after leading
for the first 47 minutes of the game. The defeat now sees league leaders
Leicester gather more speed at the top of the table as they now head their
rivals by seven points.
But it was not all doom and gloom for the Sarries as they can take heart from
another encouraging display from an up-and-coming youngster.
Replacement Richard Haughton, 20, got the ball rolling for the home side with
a spectacular try on the left wing after 14 minutes.
The youth academy player made the most of a good feed on the 50-metre line to
out-wit two Saints' players and chip the ball ahead before charging infield to
score. Aussie Duncan McCrae converted and added one penalty to haul Saracens'
tally to 10 points.
Saracens
Tries: Haughton.
Cons: McRae.
Pens: McRae.
Team: Sparg, Arasa, Johnston,
Shanklin, O'Mahony, McRae,
Walshe, Harbut, Russell, Phillips, Davison, Murray, Chesney,
Roques, Diprose.
Replacements: Haughton for Arasa (8), Iwabuchi for McRae (78),
Bracken for Walshe (30), Flatman for Harbut (30),
Cairns for Russell (78), White for Phillips (30),
Roche for Chesney (73).
Sin Bin: Chesney (40).
Northampton
Tries: Lam, Shaw.
Cons: Grayson.
Pens: Grayson 5.
Drop Goals: Hepher.
Team: Grayson, Thorneycroft, Bateman, Allan, Martin,
Hepher, Malone, Pagel, Rutherstone, Stewart, Newman, Rodber,
Blowers, Pountney, Lam.
Replacements: Shaw for Bateman (25), Phillips for Rodber (64),
Thompson for Blowers (79), Seely for Lam (74).
Not Used: Todd, Bramhall, Tucker.
Att: 10,483
Ref: Ed Morrison (RFU).
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