Northampton ended a three-match losing run in the Zurich Premiership and
picked up a bonus point with four tries against Saracens.
The Saints had not won in the league since ending Leicester's unbeaten home
record in November, losing at home to Gloucester and London Irish before
slipping up again at Wasps last Sunday.
But they came back with real style to crush Saracens, who picked up two late
tries to give a false impression on the scoreboard.
It was Sarries that took the lead after only four minutes with a penalty from
stand off Andy Goode, who scored 26 points in their 31-19 win at Vicarage Road
in September.
It did not take long for Northampton to draw level when fly-half Paul Grayson
registered a penalty of his own before winger Ben Cohen warmed up for England's
showdown with France by scoring a try that required all his strength and
determination to take him over the line.
Grayson, who was kicking immaculately, made it 13-3 with a 20th minute penalty
before England scrum-half Matt Dawson touched down following relentless pressure
from their home side.
But when a Dawson pass went astray Sarries broke out and fit again full-back
Thomas Castaignede superbly finished off with a run the length of the field.
Second-half tries from Scotland prop Tom Smith and number eight Grant Seely
put the game out of sight at 34-11 and gave the midlanders a vital bonus point.
Sarries saved some face with tries in the last five minutes from number eight
Kris Chesney and Andy Goode but it was too little too late and they now trail
sixth-placed Northampton by nine points.
Teams
Northampton: Beal, Reihana, Jorgensen, Leslie, Cohen, Grayson,
Dawson, Smith, Richmond, Morris, Connors, Lord, Blowers,
Pountney, Seely.
Replacements: Thompson, Stewart, Hunter, Soden, Vass, Brooks,
Tucker.
Tries: Cohen, Dawson, Smith, Seely.
Cons: Grayson 4.
Pens: Grayson 2.
Saracens: Castaignede, Johnston, Sorrell, Horan, O'Mahony,
Goode, Kirton, Califano, Cairns, Storey, Benazzi, Hooper,
Peacey, Hill, Chesney.
Replacements: Marsters, R. Russell, Williams, Sparg, Winnan,
Yandell, B. Russell.
Tries: Castaignede, Chesney, Goode.
Cons: Goode 2.
Pens: Goode 2.
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