Northampton Saints Academy Coach Charlie Reed praised his side’s efforts both physically and defensively as the boys in Black, Green and Gold got back to winning ways, beating Midlands West 34-19 on Saturday afternoon.
Saints were three tries up in the first half at Stourport High School through wingers Louis Burns and Rafe Witheat, along with one more from captain Billy Pasco.
Burns had his second of the day after the break, and prop Reon Gilbert Joseph added a fifth. The away side went into the final 10 minutes 31-7 up, but a spirited Midlands Central side scored twice in the final minutes to add some gloss to the scoreline.
Reed was pleased with the reaction shown after Saints suffered a 49-42 loss to Sale Sharks a week previously.
“In terms of the reaction to the messages defensively from the week before, there was certainly an improvement," he said.
“With ten minutes to go, we were winning 31-7, and Midlands West put us under a lot of pressure in terms of their attack, and they were a lot more confrontational than we thought. So, I thought the boys fronted up really well, especially in our own goal line."
Charlie Reed
“Looking at areas for improvement, it was probably the way that we started the game. It was relatively frantic, and a little bit panicky at certain moments. So maybe just looking at our mentality of how we start the game. On the defensive message that we had though, I thought the boys stepped up well.
“Midlands West took us on more physically and there was kind of a non-negotiable that to get a result out of the game, the boys had to front up, and the majority of the game, they did that. I think we felt slightly frustrated in attack, in terms of our want an desire to move the ball and play quickly.
“Massive credit has to go to Midlands West, as they put us under the pump, and our boys had to figure it out how to get points on the board.”
Reed was also full of praise 16-year-old backrower, Harry Price.
“He really impressed me,” he said. “Harry is an U17s player from Finborough. He started last week due to Kieran Perkins pulling out with illness, and impressed at Sale, and kept his place, and for me was our player of the match. So massive credit to him, and I hope he continues to develop and put those kind of performances in.”
Next up for Reed’s side is a trip to Midlands Central, as they look to make it two wins on the bounce.
He added: “We just want to stay disciplined with the way that we want to play. Sometimes we can be quite reactive to the picture that is in front of us, and have that tendency to play within ourselves. I think Midlands Central will come out of the blocks relatively fast.
“They have had last weekend off, so no doubt that they will be fresh going into the game. It is another important opportunity to go and play the way that we know how, so we are very much looking forward to the weekend.”
Highlights: Midlands West Academy V Saints U18s
