Saturday night's Powergen Cup semi-final was delayed by an hour because of high winds
- and when it finally started Newcastle were blown away completely.
The controversial selection policy of Northampton coach Wayne Smith was
completely justified at Franklin's Gardens as the Saints routed sorry Newcastle
to reach next month's Twickenham final.
Smith, disgusted by his team's display at Leicester two weeks ago, axed Tom
Smith and Steve Thompson for the match.
And the international front-row duo were forced to watch from the sidelines as
Northampton stamped their authority on the game with a thrilling four-try burst
which stitched up victory before the interval whistle.
Dan Richmond was a revelation as stand-in for current England hooker Thompson,
and even Robbie Morris acquitted himself well before giving way to dual Lion
Smith at the break.
The only question burning in former All Black chief Smith's mind must be what
has been going on during the rest of an otherwise dismal campaign.
A capacity 11,900 crowd, including owner Keith Barwell for the first time in
two months following a recent illness, were dazzled by a thrilling display of
attacking rugby which Saints haven't even come close to achieving before this
term.
Number eight Grant Seely led the charge with a brace, with Peter Jorgensen and
Craig Moir also crossing before half-time, Jorgensen adding another near the
end.
With Paul Grayson adding 13 points with the boot and not a single Newcastle
reply, the home supporters were able to spend their break discussing travel
plans for their April 20 meeting with London Irish, when a new name will be
added to the trophy.
Northampton had already served notice of their intent with both Richmond and
Seely driving deep into enemy territory, before they swept in front after just
three minutes.
The excellent Matt Dawson, pressing for an England place, created the opening
with a sniping run down the middle. The ball moved left and Seely's 10-metre
charge found a gaping hole in the visitors' defence.
Grayson landed the conversions, then a couple of penalties, the second after
Newcastle lock Hugh Vyvyan had been sin-binned for kicking the ball in a ruck.
The visitors survived without further punishment, but was hit by a Northampton
blitz as soon as he returned.
Ben Cohen burst to within a metre of the visitors line, but with the Falcons
defence sucked in, Dawson flung out a 20-metre pass to Jorgensen, who strolled
in unopposed.
On their next attack, Northampton were in again, this time Jorgensen turning
provider to send Seely home for his second score.
Newcastle were on the rack, and didn't need Tom May to clatter Seely in the
act of scoring, which earned Northampton an immediate penalty on the restart,
which Grayson slammed over from halfway.
Jorgensen has his critics at Franklin's Gardens but the Australian former
rugby league man produced a few glimpses of his class this evening.
And he was on hand again two minutes before the break, finding Moir on his
right for try number four.
Grayson's touchline conversion increased the home lead to 33 points, and left
Newcastle with the sole task of salvaging battered pride.
A scoreless second period at least looked like allowing Andrew's men some
salvation, only for Jorgensen to burst through four minutes from time.
Michael Stephenson raced past Thompson to collect Gary Armstrong's kick for an
injury-time Falcons consolation, but as they trooped off the field, one look at
the scoreboard told the full horrific picture.
Not surprisingly, the impetus had largely gone out of the Northampton display,
although not for any lack of effort from Smith or Thompson, who battled hard,
the latter pointedly ignoring Richmond as he belatedly made his way onto the
field.
Dawson left the field to a standing ovation, clearly back to his best, but the
loudest cheers should have been reserved for the coach, whose impact on the club
could hardly have been more marked.
Teams:
Northampton: Beal, Moir, Jorgensen, Leslie, Cohen, Grayson,
Dawson, Morris, Richmond, Stewart, Ackermann, Brouzet, Blowers, Pountney, Seely.
Replacements: Tucker for Leslie (70), Brooks for Grayson (59), Vass for Dawson (75), Smith for Morris (42),
Thompson for Richmond (51), Hunter for Blowers (72),
Soden for Seely (68).
Tries: Seely 2, Jorgensen 2, Moir.
Cons: Grayson 2.
Pens: Grayson 3.
Sin Bin: Pountney (50).
Newcastle: Botham, Stephenson, Noon, May,
Tuigamala, Wilkinson, Armstrong, Graham, Thompson, Hurter, Vyvyan, Grimes, Taione, Mower, Lam.
Replacements: Makin for Thompson (66).
Not Used: D. Richardson, Arnold, Charlton, Devonshire, Weir, Ward.
Tries: Stephenson.
Cons: Wilkinson.
Sin Bin: Vyvyan (19).
Att: 11,652
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook