Sensational success for Northampton
A stunning second half display from the Northampton Saints saw them score four-tries and hammer an understrength Perpignan 34-0 at Franklin’s Gardens to keep their Heineken Cup hopes very much alive.
Taking their tally up to 18, the Saints now head to Thomond Park next weekend knowing that perhaps even just a losing bonus point could be enough to see them through to the quarterfinals.
The Saints struggled during much of the first half on Sunday but never really looked like conceded a try against the French side. While the bonus point will of course be the most pleasing point of the night for Jim Mallinder, his sides defensive effort, holding Perpignan scoreless, will be extremely pleasing as well.
Near perfect conditions welcomed the start of the game with the visitors kicking off.
It didn’t take long for Perpignan to have their first chance at goal. South African-born lock Juandre Kruger was the man penalized for killing the ball at a breakdown but, luckily for the big second row, his countryman, Stephen Meyer, was unsuccessful with his strike at goal.
The French side were certainly enjoying the better part of the early exchanges in terms of possession, but Northampton seemed to be coping pretty comfortably with what the French Champions had to throw at them.
Returning star Bruce Reihana was looking lively for the home side inside the first 15 minutes, combining well with Chris Ashton and Ben Foden whenever he could get the chance.
The opening 18 minutes saw Perpignan camping side the Saints half, using clever tactical kicking to keep the pressure on the home side and controlling the possession.
A penalty for Northampton though soon changed the complexion of the game. Lee Dickson took a quick tap and, after just two metres, was pulled down by Perpignan’s Meyer. Referee Alain Rolland had no hesitation in producing the yellow card, putting the home side a man up and giving them some real momentum.
An immediate surge up field resulted in a kickable penalty for Northampton but Geraghty, with a really poor strike, could not convert it.
As was perhaps expected, the competition upfront was fierce. Eventually some good scrum work from the Saints forced a penalty and handed their No.10 his second chance from the kicking tee – one he gladly accepted this time.
Perpignan’s Meyer returned to the pitch immediately following Geraghty’s kick and almost immediately the visitors had a try-scoring opportunity.
A dropped ball in the Northampton attacking line was hacked forward by Adrien Plante. The wing showed great speed to outstrip the cover and looked certain to score. Only a last ditch-kick sliding-kick from Geraghty saved the home side.
As the half went on the Saints pack started to take more and more control, allowing Geraghty to add another three points and mount serious pressure on their French guests.
Half time saw just six points between the two teams. Three minutes in the second period though England fullback Foden sparked a fantastic try for the home side.
Linking with flank Phil Dowson, Foden led the counter-attack from the back for Northampton, cutting the line brilliantly before finding Chris Ashton in space on the right with a well-weighted pass. The new Elite Player Squad member made no mistake, running in the try and putting Mallinder’s men out to a 13-0 lead.
Perpignan again enjoyed a ten-minute spell of possession but failed to ever really stretch the Saints defence. Looking to attack wide, Perpignan were clearly looking to go around the Northampton line but the home sides drift defence system held strong.
55 minutes on the clock and the Saints struck their second hammer blow. Some great work by the forwards, particularly Soane Tonga’uiha, on the left created space on the right. Geraghty’s long pass found Jon Clarke who made a lovely delayed pass to a charging Foden. Foden again showed great speed and then made the pass to Ashton. The master finisher turned creator this time, cutting inside, drawing the cover, before popping the ball to Dowson. The former Falcons captain had an easy running, giving the Saints a 20-0 lead.
The hour mark saw a number of Perpignan changes being made but it was still all Northampton. Again it was the Saints who scored. Roger Wilson made a strong break from the back of an attacking scrum, off-loading to Dickson who burrowed his way to the line. Ref Rolland awarded the try but replays afterwards did seem to suggest that he should perhaps have at least consulted the TMO.
David Mele’s introduction saw the Frensh side start to play a far more effective, direct, style of rugby. Marching their way into the home sides 22, Perpignan were starting to play some good stuff and were only being kept at bay by a very committed Northampton line.
Nothampton of course were now chasing a four try and a very valuable bonus point but having made a number of changes to their lineup they were lacking a little bit of cohesion.
The final ten minutes of the match were, in truth, pretty frustrating until, with the last movement of the game, the Saints launched one great counter attack.
A tap and go inside their own 22 area saw a number of great offloads end with Jon Clarke out wide and unmarked. The powerful centre finished well, wrapping up the bonus point, and putting the final nail in Perpignan’s coffin.
The Scorers
For Northampton
Tries: Ashton, Dowson, Dickson, Clarke
Pen: Geraghty
Cons: Geraghty 3, Myler
For Perpignan
None
The teams:
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Bruce Reihana, 10 Shane Geraghty, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley (capt), 1 Soane Tonga’uiha.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Jon Vickers, 19 Christian Day, 20 Neil Best, 21 Alan Dickens, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Chris Mayor.
Perpignan: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Adrien Plante, 13 Jean-Philippe Grandclaude, 12 Gavin Hume, 11 Christophe Manas, 10 Steve Meyer, 9 Florian Cazenave, 8 Grégory Le Corvec, 7 Jean-Pierre Perez, 6 Guilhem Guirado, 5 Rimas Alvarez Kairelis, 4 Yoann Vivalda, 3 Benoit Bourrust, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Sebastien Chobet.
Replacements: 16 Charles Geli, 17 Jérôme Schuster, 18 Kisi Pulu, 19 Robins Tchale Watchou, 20 David Mele, 21 Joffrey Michel, 22 Nicolas Laharrague, 23 Yannick Parent.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Dudley Phillips (Ireland), Eanna O’Dowd (Ireland)
TMO: Brian Fitzgerald (Ireland)
