Ramm in control as Saints hit top gear

By ROB WILDMAN

Northampton ………………..41pts

Tries: A Waller 22, Braley 43, Moon 51, Graham 55, Freeman 59, Dingwall 68

Conversions: Grayson 22, 43, 55, 68

Penalties: Grayson 7

Gloucester ………………….. 34pts

Tries: Blake 13, 39; Thorley 47, Ford-Robinson 76, 78; Alemanno 80

Conversions: Twelvetrees 78, 80

NORTHAMPTON flattened Gloucester in a memorable second-half spell which gained five tries to the delight of their fans.

Some top-notch rugby raced Saints 41-15 clear by the 68th minute only for Gloucester to save their self-respect and to grab two bonus points by scoring three late tries. After Saints clawed their way back to pip Sale 38-34 last week, this was another high-scoring Premiership shoot out which brought each team six tries.

Gloucester paid dearly for that disastrous spell after the interval despite having looked the stronger when the teams turned round at 10-10.

The crucial factor was Northampton's greater all-round creativity in a crucial spell sparked by a commanding display from full-back James Ramm. He set up the first try in the second half from scrum-half Callum Braley and capped an excellent afternoon by pulling off a try-saving tackle on wing Jonny May.

The match had been locked at 10-10 following a first half where both sides had also missed glaring chances.

Flanker Alex Coles wrecked one golden chance when spilling the ball following a break by James Grayson off a neat David Ribbans' pass. That was followed by hooker Robbie Smith blundering from closer in.

A Grayson penalty had given Northampton the early lead before Gloucester collected a try off their first lineout drive which ended in hooker Seb Blake finishing off.

Try saver: Jonny May is stopped by James Ramm

The next 20 minutes were dominated by Northampton but the pressure brought only a try from prop Alex Waller and a Grayson conversion.

Gloucester finished the half in charge and levelled when Blake forced his way over for his second try, again from a line out ploy.

The biggest talking point, however, had been how Albert Tuisue had failed to ground the ball having strolled clear following more Gloucester pressure just before Blake's try.

Somehow the No.8 was far too confident in trying to touchdown by holding the ball in one hand. After a prolonged debate among the officials, the try was not awarded.

In command: James Ramm breaks through the defence

PICTURES: Getty Images

The second half was a complete contrast to the level-pegging of the first 40 minutes. Northampton enjoyed a memorable period which brought those five tries.

Gloucester cancelled out the first of those scores through a try out wide from Ollie Thorley but they spent the most part back pedalling unable to stop the home momentum,

Ramm ignited the charge by setting up the first by pouncing on Ben Meehan's poor kick out and Braley provided the support to score by the posts.

That was followed by three more tries from lock Alex Moon, No.8 Sam Graham and Tommy Freeman, the wing dashing 40 metres after a Gloucester attack had broken down.

With Grayson slotting two conversions, Northampton had turned the 10-10 half-time deadlock into a winning lead of 34-15. To cap the spell, match-day captain Fraser Dingwall provided the fifth in the 68th minute by racing clear after some more excellent inter-play.

Gloucester looked forlorn but their mass changes paid off and they had the collective will to grab three tries, replacement prop Jamal Ford-Robinson scoring and Matias Alemanno one.

Substitute Billy Twelvetrees kicked two conversions to make sure his team got a second bonus point for finishing within seven points besides a try bonus point.