Venter try not enough as Saints survive Gloucester fightback
MATCH REPORT: Northampton overcame a stunning second-half fightback from Gloucester to win 37-35 in England’s top-flight Prem Rugby on Sunday.
The Saints nearly blew another large lead after they were held to a draw by Exeter last week, having been 33-7 ahead.
Northampton were 24 points clear at 31-7 come half-time at Gloucester’s Kingsholm ground, before edging their way to victory despite being without several leading players.
The Saints were in command at the break following tries from flanker Tom Pearson, centre Tom Litchfield, scrumhalf Archie McParland and fullback George Hendy, with Anthony Belleau kicking four conversions and a penalty.
But the Cherry and Whites came roaring back in the second half through tries from lock Cam Jordan (two), centre Will Joseph, flank James Venter and prop Afo Fasogbon, with Ross Byrne kicking five conversions as Saints saw Hendy, Pearson and Tom Lockett all collecting yellow cards.
Northampton were without 19 players –including their four-strong British and Irish Lions contingent – through injuries or unavailability, but two Belleau penalties in the second half ultimately saw them secure victory.
The result left Northampton fourth in the table after two rounds, with Gloucester still looking for their first league win of the season.
The scorers:
For Gloucester:
Tries: Jordan 2, Joseph, Venter, Fasogbon
Cons: Byrne 5
For Northampton:
Tries: Pearson, Litchfield, McParland, Hendy
Cons: Belleau 4
Pens: Belleau 3
Teams:
Gloucester: 15 Charlie Atkinson, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Will Joseph, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Tomos Williams (captain), 8 Jack Mann, 7 James Venter, 6 Josh Basham, 5 Cam Jordan, 4 Freddie Thomas, 3 Afolabi Fasogbon, 2 Seb Blake, 1 Ciaran Knight.
Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Archie McArthur, 18 Kirill Gotovtsev, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Hugh Bokenham, 21 Harry Taylor, 22 Caolan Englefield, 23 Josiah Edwards-Giraud.
Northampton Saints: 15 George Hendy, 14 Edoardo Todaro, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Tom Litchfield, 11 James Martin, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Archie McParland, 8 Callum Chick (captain), 7 Tom Pearson, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 2 Henry Walker, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Cleopas Kundiona, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Fyn Brown, 21 Jonny Weimann, 22 Toby Thame, 23 James Pater.
Referee: Adam Leal
Assistant referees: Jonathan Cook and Jamie Leahy
TMO: David Rose
