Wasps 36 Northampton Saints 29: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Just as they did at Exeter and Newcastle, the black, green and gold pushed Wasps all the way.And had they not given them so much breathing space after a sluggish start to the second half, they could have been celebrating another memorable success, like the one at Leicester 15 days earlier.Saints had plenty of good moments at the Ricoh Arena and they eventually left with two Aviva Premiership points.But had they shown a little more composure in defence and a bit more calmness in attack in the closing stages, they could have added a least a couple more points to their league tally.The unfortunate tale is that Saints have been good but not quite good enough at times and, as has been said on so many occasions this season, play-off contenders win these tight matches rather than lose them.During their successful seasons of years gone by, Saints would snatch wins at the death rather than fall short.But, aside from that sensational victory at Welford Road, they have been unable to get over the line at the end against England's elite of late.They have won just two of their 11 away matches in the Premiership this season and that is far from good enough for a club that used to roll teams over at will on the road.It was positive to see that interim head coach Alan Dickens was taking little consolation in defeat in Coventry, expressing his frustration that results are not following performances.High standards are important and, despite a season of struggle, they remain in place at Franklin's Gardens.Saints moved up to ninth thanks to the points they picked up at Wasps, but everyone will be expecting so much better under new boss Chris Boyd next time round.The Hurricanes head coach will believe he is capable of masterminding far more than the seven successes his new club have claimed from 21 league games so far.And so he should.Players such as Alex Mitchell, James Grayson and Tom Collins again showed that the future is bright with impressive cameos from the bench.And, overall, the talent is there - it is just about mentality in key moments.Saints have the potential to be higher up the table than they are, but that belief at crucial times has cost them this season.There will be a huge shift in the playing squad this summer with around 17 players set to exit the club.And this Saturday, supporters will hope to say goodbye to them after a win against a Worcester Warriors side who have also found victories hard to come by during this campaign.Players like Stephen Myler and George North would like one last day of celebration at the Gardens - and the supporters who have flocked to see their team this season certainly deserve one.How they rated...AHSEE TUALAEtched his name on the scoresheet during the second half and looked good going forward but apologised to supporters after the game as he felt he had let himself down defensively... 5BEN FODENIs still showing he has plenty to offer, but was unable to have too much of a say in a match when Wasps exploited Saints out wide... 6LUTHER BURRELLSaw yellow after slipping into a challenge on Christian Wade and though he provided some good go-forward in attack, he was occasionally caught out in defence... 5PIERS FRANCISHas really settled into the 12 shirt and the signs are good for next season as he has displayed attacking and defensive ability in recent weeks... 7GEORGE NORTHWasn't able to have a big say in this game as Wasps shut him down well and gave Saints the runaround out wide... 5STEPHEN MYLERKicked well from the tee once again and put in a steady enough showing for the 55 minutes he was on the field... 6COBUS REINACHA couple of his kicks weren't the best and he missed the chance to release Collins during a breakaway, but this was largely a good and lively display from the scrum-half... 7ALEX WALLERManaged to escape the wrath of the referee on one occasion and is getting stronger after his return from injury... 6MIKE HAYWOODPlenty of energy and enthusiasm as usual from the hooker, who continues to show his importance to the team... 6PAUL HILLHogged the headlines after his superb showing at Leicester and while this was less eventful, he still did well... 6API RATUNIYARAWAA towering display from the lock, who continually took the fight to Wasps and managed to score a try by using his power... 8JAMES CRAIGWasn't able to have the kind of influence he had a Leicester but didn't do much wrong on the day... 6JAMIE GIBSON - CHRON STAR MANWhat more can be said about this man? He never dips no matter how his team are playing and this was another all-action display that England should take note of... 8TEIMANA HARRISONLike Gibson, this man seems to be unable to feel tiredness as he relentlessly steps up in attack and defence... 8MITCH EADIEPromising signs from the No.8 in recent weeks and he is showing why Saints signed him from Bristol last summer with a strong carrying ability... 7Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)JAMES GRAYSON (for Myler 55)Appears to have a big future at the club as he shows composure under pressure and is like Myler in displaying calmness from the tee... 6