Northampton hold off late Saracens fightback to win nine-try thriller

If there were any lingering doubts over Northampton’s ability to sustain their title push they can be unequivocally put to bed after a mighty victory over Saracens. Five tries, an intensity that went missing last week and a masterclass at fly-half from Fin Smith tightened their hold on top spot of the Premiership and gave their sell-out crowd reason to believe this will be their year.

Saracens were off-colour with ball in hand but they stayed ferociously competitive to the end in what was a breathless encounter, and as a result Northampton will take such confidence from their victory. They had won 10 straight matches before the league’s lengthy pause but last week’s humbling can be considered an anomaly given the resilience they demonstrated here.

Tommy Freeman scored the pick of their tries but Northampton showcased an attacking edge that breaches even the toughest defences and if they continue in this vein they will take some stopping between now and June. It helps too to have Smith in this kind of form, kicking 16 points and totally eclipsing Owen Farrell, who endured a torrid evening.

The eight-week break had contrasting effects on these two sides. Northampton, pacesetters before the season paused for the Six Nations, were thumped by Bristol, shipping 52 points at Ashton Gate, while Saracens served notice of their title-winning credentials with a half-century of their own against Harlequins.

Northampton made seven changes on the back of their hefty defeat with Courtney Lawes captaining the side, squaring off against Saracens’ skipper Owen Farrell – two recent leaders of the national team who head for pastures new at the end of the season.

Whatever Lawes said in his pre-match teamtalk had the desired effect with Northampton making a blistering start, shoving Saracens on to the back foot and scoring the opening try after five minutes. Smith’s delayed, disguised pass was a delight and put Alex Coles through the gap to score under the posts.

A week ago Saracens were formidable in defence, lethal in attack but this was a tentative start from Mark McCall’s men and they were soon 14-0 down after a stunning score from the Saints.

There was a hint of controversy because James Ramm’s grounding wasn’t clear but the referee Luke Pearce had awarded the onfield try and stuck to the letter of the law to award it. In truth Northampton deserved it after the dazzling run to set up the score by Ollie Sleightholme, who weaved his way past six defenders before a seventh brought him down just short of the line.

A Smith penalty hammered home Northampton’s dominance in the opening quarter but Saracens got themselves on the board – too cheaply for Saints’ liking – when Theo McFarland charged down Tom James’ box-kick, gathered the loose ball and went over. It gave Saracens a foothold and a Farrell penalty, as well as his repeated aerial bombardment, had Northampton reeling and only too grateful to hear the half-time whistle.

Another Farrell penalty from straight in front of the posts brought Saracens back to within four points but Ramm raced over for his second try of the game after an attack sparked by James’ quickly-taken penalty – Northampton injecting a tempo into the game that their visitors couldn’t live with.

In fairness to Saracens, few teams can when Northampton play with this kind of pace and a Smith penalty extended their lead further. Indeed, Saracens were clinging on at times but another charge down, this time from Ben Earl on Ramm, handed his side a second try and another route back to within touching distance. Credit Saracens for the way that they scrap their way back into contests when playing without the fluidity that they showed against Harlequins.

They were up against it again, however, when Alex Lewington was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and when the resulting penalty was kicked to the corner, Northampton whipped the ball through the hands and Freeman, coming off his wing, finished off the bonus-point try.

The fifth try came through Sleightholme, who picked up the loose ball and scampered clear to put the result beyond doubt but credit Saracens, who refused to throw in the towel and scored two late tries through Lewington for a bonus point that could yet prove pivotal in the playoff race.