Northampton 19 Leicester 3: match report

By Gareth A Davies at Franklins Gardens Published: 10:27PM GMT twenty-seven February 2010

Saints narrowed the opening to one point at the head of the Guinness Premiership on Saturday by winning Leicester on home turf.

There was motion and effect in this tip of the table, East Midlands derby in an attritional initial half. But it was all from Saints. They scrambled improved in the lax and prised open a lead from the foot of Stephen Myler that they refused to relinquish.

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The loudest hearten of the initial half from the Saints faithful, was a lapse Garryowen from left wing Paul Diggin to Lote Tuqiri. The Australian general forsaken the ball, knocking it in to touch.

From the line-out Tigers captain Craig Newby mindlessly spear-tackled outside-half Myler and outlayed the last 10 mins of the initial duration in the sin-bin.

Northampton already led 6-3. It cost Tigers 6 some-more points as Myler compounded the indignity with dual chastisement goals inside the visitors twenty-two as sleet fell heavily on a jam-packed surface.

The half-time scoreline, 12-3, reflected the probity of the game. Leicester treading water, and Saints perplexing to drown them.

Saints came close to scoring 3 mins in to the second half when Chris Ashton was bundled in to hold by Anthony Allen and Alesana Tuilagi.

Northampton won the scrum from the line and the robust Phil Dowson detonate over the line on the blind. Myler converted and from there, it was diversion over.

Jim Mallinder, Northamptons executive of rugby, had called for "a commanding, certain performance" after the better at Harlequins a week ago. He got it. In spades. Dowson was measureless up front; the backs took frequency the wrong option.

The Saints are marching on the play-offs once more.

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).