Northampton put all their off-field problems to one side to reach the Powergen
Cup quarter-finals by overpowering belligerent local rivals Bedford.
The Saints - beaten cup finalists in three of the last five seasons - had not
tasted victory against another English team since their Premiership win over
Harlequins on September 11.
Local rivals Bedford came to Franklin's Gardens with 10 former Saints players
in their starting line-up and produced some heroic defensive work.
But they could not turn their spells of pressure into points and were punished
by six tries - two from full-back Jon Clarke, and one apiece from John Rudd,
Mark Tucker, Wylie Human and Grant Seely
Paul Grayson added a penalty and three conversions and Shane Drahm one
conversion while Bedford could only manage a Leigh Hinton three-pointer and a
late consolation try from Soane Tonga'uiha.
Northampton were clearly delighted that attention was turned back to matters
on the pitch following the fight amongst their players in a bar in Toulouse
after last weekend's 25-12 European Cup defeat.
Owner Keith Barwell has judged no disciplinary action is necessary and the
Saints were free to concentrate on the cup despite the absence of injured stars
like Andrew Blowers, Ben Cohen, Corne Krige, Tom Smith and Bruce Reihana.
Some reinforcements have arrived in the shape of Scotland flanker Ross
Beattie, who made his debut, and former Bath prop Simon Emms, who came off the
bench in the second half.
National One side Bedford, who won the cup when they beat Rosslyn Park 28-12
in 1975, made the trip with 10 starters previously on the books of the
Premiership side coach Rudi Straeuli described as their 'big brothers'.
The controversial former South Africa coach had clearly done his homework and
the National One side started brightly by bombarding wings Rudd and Human and
upsetting Northampton's shaky lineout.
But the early flurry, which saw scrum-half Ian Vass dart close to the corner
with one break, was quickly countered by a Northampton team that has found some
form in the European Cup under new skipper Steve Thompson.
Grayson opened the scoring with a ninth-minute penalty and Bedford lost lock
Arthur Brenton to the sin-bin before Grayson's deft pass put Rudd in for the
opening try the fly-half converted for a 10-0 lead.
Hinton got Bedford on the board with a penalty on the half-hour but their
incursions into Northampton territory were scarce.
They survived a near miss when Beattie was unable to ground the ball after
driving over the line but centre Mark Tucker extended the lead when he shrugged
off a couple of tackles to give Saints a 15-3 advantage.
Bedford refused to fold after the break though and, after Grayson had missed
with a long-range penalty, they put together their best spell and set up camp in
the Northampton 22.
A succession of lineout drives could not crack Northampton's defence although
a bullocking run saw Brenton force his way over without being able to touch
down.
That was the game's decisive spell as the Saints weathered the storm - then
surged back as the visitors ran out of steam.
Thompson and Grant Seely were both involved in the move before Beattie bashed
up the blindside and Clarke squeezed into the corner on the hour.
He was followed over by Human, who went under the posts after good work from
Rudd, and Clarke claimed his second 10 minutes from time with Grayson converting
both scores before leaving the field.
Bedford claimed their consolation try when giant prop Tonga'uiha rumbled over
from a late lineout but there was still time for another Northampton score with
Seely touching down and Shane Drahm converting from the touchline.
Teams:
Northampton: Clarke, Rudd, Tucker, Stcherbina, Human, Grayson,
Robinson, Budgen, Thompson, Morris, Seely, Browne, Beattie,
McNamee, Soden.
Replacements: Starling for Tucker (61), Drahm for Grayson (74),
Howard for Robinson (65), Emms for Budgen (68),
van Wyk for Thompson (74), Sturgess for Morris (60),
Richmond for McNamee (57).
Sin Bin: Howard (76).
Tries: Rudd, Tucker, Clarke 2, Human, Seely.
Cons: Grayson 3, Drahm.
Pens: Grayson.
Bedford: Hinton, Whetstone, Staten, Allen, Moir, Hepher, Vass,
Volland, Johnson, Stewart, J. Phillips, Brenton, Strauss,
Lewitt, Paramore.
Replacements: Hinkins for Moir (78), Malone for Hepher (68),
Tonge'uiha for Volland (61), Price for Johnson (78),
Brooks for Stewart (20), A. Phillips for J. Phillips (78),
Brady for Paramore (68).
Sin Bin: Brenton (16).
Tries: Tonge'uiha.
Pens: Hinton.
Att: 9,117
Ref: R Debney (RFU).
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