Northampton Wanderers scored eight tries as they sealed their third win of the Premiership Rugby Shield competition with a convincing bonus-point win over Worcester Cavaliers at Franklin’s Gardens.
Tries from Mitch Eadie, Ollie Sleightholme and George Furbank before the twenty-minute mark got Wanderers off to a flying start.
And further scores from Alex Moon and Devante Onojaife, coupled with a hat-trick from Matt Worley, saw the Wanderers rack up a half-century of points with only a James Williams effort in response from their guests.
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) December 17, 2018
Rory Hutchinson instantly got Wanderers on the front foot as he set Fraser Dingwall free down the right to get Saints close, before Eadie shot through the midfield to open the scoring.
And though the Cavaliers made a charge of their own, an important turnover from Will Davis allowed Charlie Davies to get Wanderers going again. It was a combined effort from the home wings that saw the points come, as Tom Collins and Sleightholme teamed up before the latter raced over the final 20 metres to score.
Relentless, Wanderers pushed on and were back on the scoreboard quickly. Quick hands got the home side into Worcester’s 22 before Furbank cut a great line and shot through a gap, finishing off Wanderers’ third.
Despite a solid period of pressure in the following 20 minutes, handling errors cost Wanderers as James Williams slipped through and dashed the final 30 metres to score Cavaliers’ only points just before the break.
But it took Wanderers just a minute to get back on the scoresheet at the turnaround; Sleightholme racing down the right before the ball went through Dingwall and James Grayson to see Worley over for the bonus point.
Another score for Wanderers was to follow as Ehren Painter broke through in the Worcester 22, and with Moon on his shoulder the lock had the simple job of stretching over for the score.
In a frantic few minutes, Worley grabbed his second of the night and moments later Onojaife was barrelling over from close range for the home side’s seventh.
An incredible show of pace from Worley earned the replacement wing his hat-trick score on the 70-minute mark – as the 21-year-old screamed in from 70 metres out to score a brilliant solo effort.
And though Worcester mounted several attacks in the game’s closing minutes, Wanderers held out to concede just the one try and bring themselves three points off the top of the Northern Conference.
Wanderers are next in action on Sunday (23 December, kick-off 1pm) as they welcome Sale Jets to Franklin’s Gardens. Tickets are £5 adults and £2 juniors and can be purchased on the gate, while entry is FREE to Season Ticket Holders.
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