Northampton full-back Bruce Reihana stretched his lead at the top of the
Zurich Premiership charts by scoring two tries and creating a third to help
Saints overwhelm Saracens.
The New Zealander's move into the position at the end of last year has proved
inspirational and he took his try tally for the season to 12, two ahead of Sale
wing Steve Hanley.
He also carved out a second-half score for Darren Fox and Shane Drahm
converted all three and added a penalty as Northampton pulled six points clear
of fourth-placed Gloucester to tighten their grip on a play-off place.
Saracens were already depleted by injuries before losing Thomas Castaignede to
a leg injury and then seeing his replacement Matt Honeyben crocked at the start
of the second half, leaving scrum-half Kyran Bracken to play an unfamiliar
fly-half role.
Their only consolation was Castaignede's first-half penalty and a place in the
wildcard competition now looks beyond them.
Despite the arrival of an assistant coach in Steve Diamond and five signings
for next season, Saracens had been forced to make major surgery after a month of
inactivity.
International calls, injuries to major stars Taine Randell, Raphael Ibanez and
Alex Codling and a suspension for Nicky Little meant that 11 senior players were
unavailable for the trip to Franklin's Gardens.
That meant a first senior start for 19-year-old flanker Tom Lawy and
18-year-old number eight Don Barrell was on the bench after being allowed to
take time off from his A level studies at Watford Grammar School alongside
Oxford University student Honeyben.
Head coach Rod Kafer's influence was also reduced as he was forced to watch
from the stands at the start of a six-week touchline ban for abusing referee
Steve Leyshon when these sides met last month.
Saracens, though, were not prepared to follow the script during the first
half, when they put the Saints scrum under pressure and threatened when the
dangerous Castaignede had the ball in his hands.
He started by stroking over a 45-metre penalty after six minutes, but missed
drop-goal and penalty shots before Drahm levelled when Saracens were caught
offside in front of their posts in the 23rd minute.
The French fly-half also conjured up a brilliant break to give Craig Yandell
the chance to drive over the line without grounding the ball and Northampton
were forced to mount a lengthy goalline stand.
But Saracens were dealt a major blow when Castaignede limped off before the
break with Honeyben coming on to make a debut that spanned only 15 minutes.
And Northampton finally turned some promising attacks into points during
injury-time when Reihana broke a tackle in midfield and streaked away 50 metres
with Drahm adding a routine conversion.
Reihana was at it again after the break when he splintered the Saracens
midfield and forced them to concede a penalty under the posts which saw the ball
moved left for Drahm to put flanker Darren Fox over from five yards out in the
47th minute.
Drahm converted and added the extras to Reihana's second try to end the
scoring in the 67th minute despite both sides moving the ball wide in search of
more points.
They did so with 14 men each after Saracens hooker Ben Broster was
yellow-carded for killing the ruck which preceded Fox's try and Saints
replacement Tevita Taumoepeau followed him into the sinbin for obstruction five
minutes later.
Northampton threw caution to the wind in their attempt to secure a four-try
bonus point but the closest they came was when replacement lock Steve Williams
was unable to ground the ball after forcing his way over on the left.
Teams
Northampton: Reihana, Tucker, Hyndman, Leslie, Ripol, Drahm,
Robinson, Budgen, Richmond, Morris, Lord, Connors, Blowers,
Fox, Soden.
Replacements: Howard for Tucker (63), Beal for Hyndman (50),
Smith for Budgen (50), Miles for Richmond (62),
Taumepeau for Morris (50), Williams for Lord (50).
Not Used: Seely.
Sin Bin: Taumepeau (72).
Tries: Reihana 2, Fox.
Cons: Drahm 3.
Pens: Drahm.
Saracens: Kydd, Cech, Johnston, Sorrell, Bailey, Castaignede,
Williams, Sparks, Parkes, Visagie, Raiwalui, Yandell, Lawy,
Peacey, Chesney.
Replacements: Honeyben for Castaignede (37),
Broster for Parkes (61), Bergamaschi for Visagie (61),
Barrell for Peacey (79).
Not Used: Marsters, Legge, Bracken.
Sin Bin: Broster (67).
Pens: Castaignede.
Att: 12,003
Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).
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