Thomas Castaignede's 18 month injury lay-off finally came to an end but
he was unable to inspire relegation haunted Saracens as Northampton bounced back
from last Saturday's Powergen Cup disappointment.
The Frenchman came off the subs bench for the final quarter with Saints
leading 47-13.
He was left with a slight limp at the end but showed no other ill-effects from
the surgery he underwent in November 2000 to repair a ruptured tendon.
He converted two late tries from Sarries as they vainly attempted to collect a
vital bonus point, but the fourth try eluded them.
Northampton, who had left England internationals Matt Dawson and Steve
Thompson on the bench, took only three minutes to open their account with a try
from fullback Nick Beal.
Two penalties from fly-half Paul Grayson put them 13-3 up after 13 minutes,
although there was brief hope for a badly under-strength Saracens when winger
Tom Shanklin scored the first of his two tries in the 26th minute.
Smith's conversion, on top of two earlier penalties, drew the scores level.
However, the Midlanders, who had put 58 points past Gloucester in their last
Premiership outing, then raced away with it.
England wing Ben Cohen, hooker Dan Richmond, centre John Leslie and
wing-forward Mark Sodan all crossed to continue the Saints' push for a top-four
finish.
The points dried up, however, and Saracens scored two late tries through prop
Luke Harbut and Shanklin but just could not manage an all-important fourth.
Teams
Northampton: Beal, Brooks, Jorgensen, Leslie,
Cohen, Grayson,
Malone, Smith, Richmond, Morris, Phillips, Brouzet, Soden,
Pountney, Seely, Brenton.
Replacements: Tucker for Jorgensen (64), Moir for Grayson (78),
Dawson for Malone (58), Thompson for Richmond (53),
Stewart for Morris (54), Brenton for Brouzet (76),
Brenton for Seely (70), Hunter for Brenton (72).
Sin Bin: Pountney (80).
Tries: Beal, Cohen, Richmond, Leslie, Soden,
Hunter.
Cons: Grayson 5.
Pens: Grayson 4.
Saracens: Winnan, Sparg, Sorrell, Johnston,
Shanklin, Smith,
Walshe, Harbut, Cairns, Durant, A. Benazzi, Roche, Chesney,
Roques, Russel.
Replacements: Johnston for Sparg (48),
O'Mahony for Johnston (40), Castaignede for Smith (64),
Hampson for Walshe (78), Durant for Harbut (77),
Russell for Cairns (40), Broser for Durant (50),
Hooper for A. Benazzi (62), Peacey for Chesney (63).
Sin Bin: Roche (40).
Tries: Shanklin 2, Harbut.
Cons: Smith, Castaignede 2.
Pens: Smith 2.
Att: 8,479
Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).
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