Saints power to within one point of the top
Saints 19 Leicester 3 THE boot of Stephen Myler steered Saints through the rain and mud for a huge east midlands derby win.
The fly-half kicked four penalties and a conversion, with Phil Dowson scoring the try to move Saints within one point of leaders Leicester at the top of the Premiership.
In atrocious conditions, Saints' pack were superb, taking it to Leicester and they were backed up by a ferocious defensive effort.
Jon Clarke failed a fitness test and was replaced at outside centre by Joe Ansbro and it was Leicester who started the better of the two sides.
Leicester put the early pressure on after Paul Diggin couldn't deal with a Jeremy Stainton up-and-under. Staunton turned down a shot at the posts to go for a lineout drive but Saints repelled it and when Tigers spilled the ball Diggin kicked ahead, but was taken out by Geoff Parling.
The lock was lucky to stay on the pitch after a talking to from referee Nigel Owens, but the penalty gave Myler a shot at the posts from 35m, which he converted after eight minutes.
But from the restart Saints were penalised for not rolling away. From 45m in front of the posts the Tigers fly-half Jeremy Staunton didn't catch it well and the kick fell under the bar.
For the first quarter though Saints were pinned in their own half, but stout defence led by Juandre Kruger kept Tigers out and a great scrum from the home pack saw them win a penalty and finally clear.
Leicester finally drew level when Lee Dickson took a ferocious hit in front of his own posts and Neil Best was penalised for lying on the ball. Staunton made it 3-3 after 23 minutes.
Four minutes later though Myler made it 6-3 from in front of the posts, not much territory for the home side but they were still in front.
And Myler was the given the chance to extend the lead on 31 minutes when he was speared to the ground by Craig Newby. The Leicester skipper was shown the yellow card and from 24m Myler made it 9-3.
Five minutes before the break the Saints scrum hit top gear as the rain sheeted down. They powered Leicester back 5m to win a penalty in front of the posts. Saints were lucky to get the scrum as Scott Hamilton was harshly adjudged to have knocked-on from another mighty Bruce Reihana kick. Myler landed the three points to make it 12-3.
A minute into the second half and Chris Ashton looked to have got the first try of the match, but the touch judge decided he had just gone out as he slid into the corner. But it didn't matter as Saints spoilt the Leicester lineout, won a 5m scrum and Phil Dowson powered over to make it 17-3. From 5m in Myler added the extras.
Leicester were given a chance to hit back when Saints were once again penalised for not rolling away by Owens. But from 45m and 10m in Staunton pulled it wide.
Saints were under the cosh on their line, but great defence, in particular tackles from Ashton on Jordan Crane and then James Downey on Alesana Tuilagi, kept the visitors out.
And when Saints got up field, Joe Ansbro chopped Lote Tuqiri down and Diggin was there to win the penalty, but from the touchline Myler was just short.
It didn't matter though as Saints kept the game in Leicester's half for the final 15 minutes for a famous win.
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Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
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