Saracens grappled back to secure their fifth successive victory after
Northampton scrum-half Mark Robinson hit them with two tries in the opening 10
minutes.
The domination of the Saracens forwards proved decisive as the Saints pack
came under increasing pressure and were punished with a string of penalties.
Glen Jackson, the Saracens fly-half, produced a faultless goal-kicking display
to make Northampton pay for their indiscretions, landing seven penalties and
converting a try from full-back Dan Scarbrough for a personal haul of 23
points.
Northampton full-back Bruce Reihana also took all his kicking chances, with
two conversions and a penalty.
Saracens looked to be heading for defeat after winning their last four matches
in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup, their defence ripped apart twice
in a four-minute early spell.
Reihana and centre Jon Clarke began a 70-metre move which ended with Scottish
international winger Sean Lamont sending Robinson over after only six minutes.
Four minutes later Clarke went through two tackles on a run from the halfway
line before handing Robinson a simple second try and Northampton were 14-0
ahead, with Reihana converting both.
While the visitors were more dangerous in the backs, Saracens had a definite
edge in the forwards and this ultimately proved crucial.
Their extra power up front resulted in a 20th minute yellow card for
Northampton second row man David Gerard.
Northampton defended desperately on their own line as their depleted forwards
took a pounding but their defence was found wanting as Saracens scored their
only try of the match.
Right-wing Richard Haughton cruised past five hapless would-be tacklers before
being hauled down just short of the line but he left the ball for Scarbrough to
follow up and score.
A penalty from Reihana put Northampton 17-7 ahead but Jackson replied with
four penalties for Saracens to put them in front for the first time at 19-17 in
the 49th minute.
He struck three more to increase the Saracens lead to 28-17 before
Northampton's former All Blacks fly-half Carlos Spencer scored Northampton's
third try in the right-hand corner late into injury time.
But despite running in three tries to the home side's one, Northampton
finished a well-beaten side.
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