Northampton 19 Leicester 3: match report

By Gareth A Davies at Franklins Gardens Published: 6:57PM GMT twenty-eight February 2010

Full force: Phil Dowson goes over for Northampton Photo: ACTION IMAGES

In you do so, Northampton narrowed the opening to a singular point at the head of the Guinness Premiership list with usually 7 matches remaining, with one in palm over Tigers. Yet it was the demeanour of the improved that majority impressed.

"It was a entirely veteran 15-man effort," pronounced Mallender. "The forwards were quite considerable in the scrum, that youve got to be opposite Leicester. The counterclaim was additionally outstanding. Weve right away shown what we are able of doing, and we are just where we wish to be - in row both at home and in Europe."

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There was copiousness of rubbing in the initial quarter, usually to be approaching in this derby confront in between the East Midlands physical condition rivals, nonetheless Saints hold the Tigers pack at brook with Juandre Kruger, and the behind row, led by the considerable captain Phil Dowson, imperious.

Leicester looked similar to a big boat with no captain. Apart from one Jeremy Staunton chastisement after twenty-two mins that leveled the scores, Leicester were bereft of beautiful nous to mangle the home side down.

"It was unsatisfactory all round," pronounced Richard Cockerill, Leicesters head coach. "Discipline was poor, execution was poor. We were blank ten guys by unavailability and injury, but that is no excuse. The group out there should have played improved than that."

They were woeful. Saints scrambled improved in the loose, and prised open a lead from the foot of Stephen Myler that they refused to relinquish.

From a line-out on the half-hour mark, Tigers skipper Craig Newby mindlessly spear-tackled outside-half Myler and outlayed the last ten mins of the initial duration sin-binned.

Northampton already led 6-3. It cost them 6 some-more points as Myler compounded the indignity with dual chastisement goals from inside the visitors 22.

The mid-point scoreline, 12-3, reflected the probity of the game. Leicester treading water, and Saints perplexing to drown them. If the initial half was prevalence from Saints, the second half was a shutout.

Saints came perilously close to scoring 3 mins in to the second half when Chris Ashton was slid in to touch, in the right palm dilemma by Anthony Allen and Alesana Tuilagi.

But Northampton were not to be denied. The home side won the scrum from the line-out, and the robust Dowson detonate over the line on the blindside. Myler converted, and from there, it was diversion over. Leicester rallied, full of receptive to advice and fury, and ran themselves ragged, but it signified nothing.

Match details

Scores: 3-0 Myler pen, 3-3 Staunton pen, 6-3 Myler pen, 9-3 Myler pen, 12-3 Myler pen, 17-3 Dowson try, 19-3 Myler con.

Northampton: B Reihana; C Ashton, J Ansbro, J Downey (C Mayor 75), P Diggin; S Myler (S Geraghty 74), L Dickson (A Dickens 74); B Mujati (D Morris 72), B Sharman, S Tongauiha; J Kruger, I Fernandez Lobbe (M Easter 72); P Dowson (capt), N Best, C Lawes.Leicester: S Hamilton; A Tuilagi, M Smith (J Murphy 58), A Allen, L Tuqiri; J Staunton (S Vesty 71), B Youngs (G Grindal72); J White, M Davies (G Chuter 67), M Ayerza (B Stankovich 74); B Kay, G Parling; J Crane (B Deacon 74), B Woods, C Newby (capt).Yellow card: Newby, 30.Referee: N Owens (WRFU).