Northampton warmed up for their Powergen Cup Final next Saturday with an
eight-try thrashing of second-place hopefuls Gloucester.
The Cherry and Whites' wretched away form was again ruthlessly exposed as
Northampton's incisive running and midfield invention tore the visitor's defence
to shreds.
Tom Smith, Steve Thompson and Andy Rennick all touched down in the first half
as Saints wracked up a 23-9 lead at the interval.
And Wayne Smith's men upped the tempo after the break with Ben Cohen, Peter
Jorgensen, Budge Poutney, Nick Beal and Jon Phillips blasting through
Gloucester's fragile defence.
England men Matt Dawson and Cohen were inspirational for Saints, finding gaps
and exposing them at will to help send the Cherry and Whites crashing to their
second heavy defeat in four days.
Northampton came under early pressure as the visitors surged ahead from the
kick-off, but some strong running from Andrew Blowers, Beal and Cohen swept
Saints out of danger.
But Gloucester's attacking intent did yield a drop goal from French fly-half
Ludovic Mercier, but Paul Grayson nullified the advantage with a fine penalty.
Northampton were making good ground up the middle of the pitch with John
Leslie and James Brooks leading the charge. Both players were eventually hauled
down but not before Grayson was presented with another kick at goal which he
slotted over.
Gloucester were being run ragged as the home side continued to break from
their own half, with one such move leading to a try for Scotland prop Smith in
the right corner.
Just to add to the Cherry and White's woes, French hooker Olivier Azam was
sin-binned in the 20th-minute for an off-the-ball incident.
Saints continued to find gaping holes in the opponents defence with Beal and
Dawson linking well only for a knock-on to end the threat.
The scoreboard was kept ticking over with a 31st-minute try from Thompson, the
England hooker crossing after a catch and drive from a line-out close to
Gloucester's line.
Mercier replied with two quick-fire penalties but it was still all Northampton
as Beal stormed over shortly before the interval only to be called back for a
forward pass.
However, flanker Rennick stormed over a minute into injury time after neat
interplay for a try converted by Grayson.
Substitute Koli Sewabu crossed three minutes after the interval for a
five-pointer which was improved by Mercier, narrowing the deficit to 23-16, but
Cohen restored Northampton's points cushion three minutes later with a converted
try under the posts.
Gloucester's poor discipline then shone through again when Patrice Collazu was
shown a yellow card for a professional foul and Saints took immediate advantage
when Jorgensen slipped under the post.
Grayson booted the extras and the home side began to run riot, repeatedly
breaking Gloucester's shell-shocked rear guard.
Poutney and Beal added to the try count before Junior Paramore rounded off a
rare attack from the visitors.
An improved try from Phillips in the dying moments then rounded off a
miserable afternoon for Gloucester.
Teams:
Northampton: Beal, Brooks, Jorgensen, Leslie, Cohen, Grayson, Dawson, Dawson, Smith, Thompson, Morris, Phillips, Brouzet, Rennick, Pountney, Blowers, Malone.
Replacements: Richmond for Brooks (55), Tucker for Leslie (61), Malone for Dawson (32), Malone for Dawson (66),
Moir for Thompson (55), Stewart for Morris (48),
Brenton for Brouzet (77), Dawson for Malone (34).
Not Used: Seely.
Tries: Smith, Thompson, Rennick, Cohen, Jorgensen,
Pountney, Beal, Phillips.
Cons: Grayson 6.
Pens: Grayson 2.
Gloucester: Catling, O'Leary, Simpson-Daniel, Fanolua, Beim, Mercier, Gomarsall, Collazo, Azam, Pucciarello, Fidler, Cornwell, Forrester, Boer, Paramore, Yachvili, Woodman.
Replacements: Paul for Catling (56), Yachvili for Gomarsall (57), Deacon for Pucciarello (69),
Woodman for Forrester (23), Sewabu for Boer (40),
Ewens for Yachvili (74), Forrester for Woodman (34).
Not Used: Gillies.
Sin Bin: Azam (21), Collazo (49).
Tries: Sewabu, Paramore.
Cons: Mercier.
Pens: Mercier 2.
Drop Goals: Mercier.
Att: 8,500
Ref: Dave Pearson (RFU).
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