NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 18 LEICESTER TIGERS 5 EDF Energy Cup Round 3 Franklin's Gardens Saturday, December 2, 2006 Clear conditions and a so-called 'dead rubber' of a match (even if it were an East Midlands derby) - the perfect recipe for entertainment when combined with a healthy infusion of reserve players intent on making an impression at first team level on both sides. This had been the pre-match prediction of many at the Gardens and within a minute it proved to be foresight of the highest order. Stephen Myler's kick-off was misjudged by the Leicester forwards and recovered by their Saintly counterparts. With the visiting defence still readjusting the ball was spun right - helped by Myler's good pick up off the floor - and Matthieu Bourret marked his home debut with his first Northampton try. Vaughan Going gave the scoring pass, and the two nearly combined again in Saints' next attack. This ended with a penalty not a try and Myler's first three Saints points. Eight became 13 in the 17th minute as the home onslaught continued, orchestrated by man of the match Myler whose "game sense" was praised by head coach Paul Grayson. But this time grunt won out over the flicks and neat interplay as Sam Harding was driven over from a five-metre lineout. Despite Saints' healthy lead Leicester were also playing their part as the sun slowly set behind the Church's Stand. The Tuilagi brothers were Tigers' main offensive weapons and regularly made indents into the green wall. However Leicester's only points chances came with two Ian Humphreys penalty attempts in quick succession which both went wide. These followed a disallowed try for Bourret who was adjudged to have dropped the ball in the act of scoring and the first of two first-half set-to's between the packs - derby formalities had to be followed after all. There was also the sight of Soane Tonga'uiha in full flight intercepting a Leicester pass, although the big Tongan was pulled up for off-side. Henry Tuilagi was replaced by Louis Deacon five minutes before the break. But this did not seem to disturb the Leicester forward effort as they reverted to type with a powerful driving maul. Saints conceded a penalty which Humphreys, scenting a try, kicked to the corner. But Saints' pack were prepared for what was to come, drove their opponents back and won the turnover, thereby ensuring that the 13-0 scoreline remained until the break. The second half began as the first had finished; in other words with a Leicester driving maul. Harding also had an explosive break and Humphreys missed his third penalty - all within the first 10 minutes. Bourret also suffered an injury scare when he dropped to the deck while collecting a kick. He recovered quickly to leave the field under his own steam while being replaced by Chris Wyles. Myler also missed a penalty in Saints' only scoring opportunity of the third quarter. Having said that Leicester were not having much joy either during play whose continuity was suffering thanks to a raft of replacements. These dried up around the hour and unsurprisingly the game regained its shape, not to mention scoring with a try apiece for both sides. Firstly Wyles collected Paul Diggin's tap back of a Myler cross-kick to dive over. Then four minutes later Luke Abraham emulated his opposite number Harding in being driven over in a rolling maul. Neither try was converted, leaving the score at Saints 18, Leicester 5. But this flurry was uncharacteristic of a second half dominated by defence, typified as the clock ran out by Saints, who repelled a late Leicester push for a consolation score and earn a deserved ovation. Teams:
Northampton Saints - Going; Bourret (Wyles 46mins), Mallon, Kydd, Diggin; Myler, Vass; Tonga'uiha, Richmond (Hartley 49mins), Budgen (Emms 67mins), Lord (capt), Gerard, Easter (Lewitt 60mins), Harding, Daniel Browne. Leicester Tigers - Smith; A Tuilagi, Youngs (Hipkiss 68mins), Cornwell (capt), Dodge; Humphreys (J Murphy 52mins), F Murphy (Bemand 54mins); Holford (Moreno 55mins), Hickie (Buckland 7mins), Young, B Deacon, Hamilton, Crane (Pienaar 75mins), Abraham, H Tuilagi (L Deacon 35mins). Scorers:
Northampton Saints - Tries: Bourret, Harding, Wyles; Pen: Myler. Leicester Tigers - Try: Abraham. Attendance:
13,058 Travis Perkins man of the match:
Stephen Myler TIMELINE:
1min SAINTS Try Bourret 5-0
6mins SAINTS Pen Myler 8-0
17mins SAINTS Try Harding 13-0
HALF-TIME SAINTS 13 TIGERS 0
59mins SAINTS Try Wyles 18-0
63mins TIGERS Try Abraham 18-5
FULL-TIME SAINTS 18 TIGERS 5 | 
