NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 27

LONDON IRISH 22

Guinness Premiership Round 22

Franklin's Gardens

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Needing a solid start at least Saints got off to a horrendous one. A missed kick to touch handed London Irish a chance from which Justin Bishop was only denied by a forward pass. Then two minutes later Bruce Reihana's knock on on halfway was turned into a try by Topsy Ojo.

Put into space by a lovely midfield pass Ojo rounded Jon Clarke and Reihana on his way to the line. Nils Mordt converted and Saints had it all to do in only the sixth minute.

But in 10 minutes the scores were level. Carlos Spencer's vision sent Ben Cohen away down the right, a run from which Saints were given a scrum. Then Spencer again split the defence with his run and gave Reihana the simplest of tries. The conversion was successful, as was a 40-metre penalty five minutes later, and Saints were ahead 10-7.

The lead lasted all of two minutes. Irish, with nothing to play for in the GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP, were intent on throwing the ball about. Seilala Mapusua was the beneficiary of this policy, but he also made the most of Saints' generous defending on his way to the line. However Mordt couldn't convert and Saints remained two points down.

Riki Flutey was the next to cause havoc with a chip and chase after Cohen had brought Bishop down near the Irish line. Saints were given a chance to escape when Irish conceded a penalty at the subsequent line out, and a life line when Mordt missed his first penalty shot at the half-hour.

A second penalty shot from a similar position a couple of minutes later was turned down in favour of the corner. But the Irish pack couldn't control the line out, nor another attacking opportunity just outside Saints' 22, and the visitors didn't extend the lead.

Saints had a fantastic chance themselves in the final two minutes of the half. But Spencer and Robbie Kydd were pulled back for accidental offside on the Irish 22 and the half ended with Saints still trailing 10-12.

With Worcester leading at half-time at Sixways the afternoon wasn't going well for Saints' survival hopes. And less than two minutes into the second half at Franklin's Gardens things could have become a whole lot worse had Cohen not beaten Sailosi Tagicakibau to Mordt's kick ahead.

However Irish conceded first a penalty inside Saints' half, then a free kick on their own 22. And after the forwards had had a go Robbie Kydd sent the ball to Sean Lamont for Saints' second try. Reihana converted and Saints were back in front 17-12. Reihana also added his second penalty four minutes later and Saints were two scores clear at 20-12.

This was the cue for some sustained Irish pressure, though Saints didn't help their cause by conceding two penalties in quick succession on their own line. The second of these was converted by Mordt to bring the score back to 20-15 and Saints could count themselves fortunate not to have conceded a try.

They were equally fortunate when, in another Irish attack from deep, Ojo's pass to Tagicakibau on Saints' 22 was ruled forward. Saints made the most of the reprieve with Spencer showing a couple more moments of magic to force an Irish line out deep in their own 22.

With a visitor accidental offside this became a Saints scrum - anchored by Dan Richmond, on for his last Saints appearance - and then another try for the Player of the Season Mark Robinson between the sticks. Reihana converted and Saints had clear water for the first time with a quarter of an hour left.

Rafts of replacements ensured that the remaining minutes became increasingly disjointed. But London Irish edged the remaining play and ended the game with a second try for Mapusua. Bishop converted but Saints still had the points.

With the result from Sixways, however, it was too little, too late for Saints GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP campaign.

Teams:
Northampton Saints - Reihana (capt); Lamont, Clarke, Kydd, Cohen; Spencer, Robinson (Howard 75mins); Smith (Richmond 58mins), Cortese, Brooks (Budgen 42mins), Browne (Gerard 72mins), Short, Tupai, Lewitt, Labit.

London Irish - Ojo (Armitage 65mins); Bishop, Mapusua, Mordt, Tagicakibau; Fluter, Hodgson; Hatley, Paice (Coetzee 50mins), Lea'aetoa (Collins 40mins), Kennedy (Hudson 65mins), Casey (capt). Roche (Magne 50mins), Danaher, Murphy.

Scorers:
Northampton Saints - Tries: Reihana, Lamont, Robinson; Cons: Reihana (3); Pens: Reihana (2).

London Irish - Tries: Ojo, Mapusua (2); Con: Mordt, Bishop; Pen: Mordt.

Attendance:
13,538

TIMELINE:
5mins IRISH Try Ojo Con Bishop 0-7
14mins SAINTS Try and Con Reihana 7-7
19mins SAINTS Pen Reihana 10-7
21mins IRISH Try Mapusua 10-12
HALF-TIME SAINTS 10 IRISH 12
45mins SAINTS Try Lamont Con Reihana 17-12
49mins SAINTS Pen Reihana 20-12
56mins IRISH Pen Mordt 20-15
63mins SAINTS Try Robinson Con Reihana 27-15
80mins IRISH Try Mapusua Con Bishop 27-22
FULL-TIME SAINTS 27 IRISH 22