Northampton too strong for Saracens in points feast

Premiership Cup

By NICK POWELL

Northampton ..58pts

Tries: Matavesi 3, Sleightholme 6, 40+1; Skosan 16, 42, 48; Pollock 24, 71; Hinkley 75 Conversions: Grayson 7, 40+2, 49, 72, 76 Penalties: Grayson 69

Saracens ……….34pts

Tries: Moore 13, Adejimi 27, 44, 54, 65; Moore 77 Conversions: Vunipola 14, 45

SAMSON Adejimi's four tries were not enough to prevent Saracens suffering a heavy defeat as Northampton scored nine tries in a thrilling 92-point match-up.

Saints themselves also had some impressive individual performances, with Frankie Sleightholme and Henry Pollock each grabbing a brace and Courtnall Skosan earning a hat-trick.

The win moves Saints into joint second in the group with Harlequins on seven points, with Saracens bottom on two and all-but eliminated from the competition after a second-straight loss.

Tom Litchfield, who set up the second try with a terrific run down the left hand side and looked dangerous all night, was happy to put things right after they had surrended a 19-point lead to Irish the week before.

“We're really happy to get the result,” he said, “We spoke all week about how we had that Irish game in the bag but didn't put enough pressure on them in the second half.

“That was something we really looked to do in the second half here, and I think we did it fairly well and came out with a good win in the end.

“We played some really good stuff, moved the ball really well and scored some great team tries in there. We're really happy about that.”

Saints, fielding a relatively strong team in comparison to Sarries, raced into a 12-0 lead as Matavesi pounced on a loose ball before Sleightholme was freed up by Litchfield's burst for an easy score.

Sharp hands from the backs allowed Moore to reply for Saracens, but Skosan grabbed his first in the right corner soon after before Pollock and Adejimi exchanged tries from rolling mauls.

Treble: Courtnall Skosan

Northampton led 29-12 at the break thanks to another simple finish for Sleightholme, this time fed by a Matavesi offload, and Skosan got his second after a well-weighted kick from James Grayson.

A powerful finish from Adejimi got him his second, but Skosan went one better after a superb pass from Callum Braley to keep Saints in control

But not to be denied, Adejimi added two more to his tally to earn Saracens a four try bonus point, and give them hope with the score at 41-29.

It was to be Saints' night however, as a Grayson penalty, Pollock's second try – also from a maul – and a powerful finish from Aaron Hinckley wrapped up the win, before Oscar Wilson rounded off a neat move for a Sarries consolation.