Northampton beat Worcester in Guinness Premiership
WORCESTER 12 NORTHAMPTON 22
Northampton recorded their first Guinness Premiership away win for more than two years after seeing off Worcester at Sixways.
The Saints made it 13th time lucky on the road, ending a run that began before they were relegated to National League One in 2007.
After surrendering a long unbeaten home record to Newcastle last weekend, Northampton responded in impressive fashion.
First-half tries by flanker Scott Gray and wing Paul Diggin put Saints in the driving seat.
And with fly-half Barry Everitt calling the tune, Worcester could not establish a foothold, trailing by 12 points at half-time.
Warriors goalkicker Willie Walker, on loan from neighbours Gloucester until the end of this season, booted four penalties, his last kick going over after Scotland international Gray was sin-binned.
Northampton though, were not to be denied as they climbed above reigning Premiership champions Wasps into eighth place, while Worcester remain 12 points above bottom club Bristol.
Substitute centre Joe Ansbro’s late converted try confirmed Saints’ success, and Worcester could have few complaints after a poor game when they rarely moved out of second gear.
Worcester, buoyed by a 13-12 victory over champions Wasps last time out, welcomed back overseas imports Chris Latham and Dale Rasmussen, while flanker Netani Talei replaced broken jaw victim Tom Wood.
Saints included England international Ben Foden at full-back – skipper Bruce Reihana moved to the wing – while England’s reserve Six Nations hooker Dylan Hartley and Scotland prop Euan Murray returned from international duty.
Northampton made all the early running and Everitt booted Saints ahead through a third minute penalty.
Walker hauled the Warriors level with a penalty yet Northampton weren’t to be denied the try they deserved.
Superb approach work by centre James Downey made sufficient headway, and the supporting Gray powered over, leaving Worcester five points adrift.
Diggin sprinted 60 metres for an opportunist score and Everitt added the extras, leaving Worcester with a mountain to climb as they trudged off 15-3 adrift at half-time.
Walker kicked two out of three penalty attempts during the third quarter, cutting Worcester’s deficit to six points
A fourth Walker strike increased the pressure on Saints, especially as they were down to 14 men following Gray’s yellow card, but Ansbro scored Northampton’s third try, converted by Everitt, and Worcester were sunk.
WORCESTER: Latham, Gear, Rasmussen, Grove, Garvey, Walker, M. Powell, Mullan, Lutui, Tuamoepeau, Rawlinson, Bowley, Talei, Sanderson, Horstmann. Replacements: Morris, Fortey, Kitchener, Collins, R. Powell, Carlisle, Benjamin.
NORTHAMPTON: Foden, Diggin, Clarke, Downey, Reihana, Everitt, Dickson, Smith, Hartley, Murray, Lawes, Kruger, Best, S. Gray, Wilson. Replacements: Sharman, Tonga’uiha, Rae, Hopley, Myler, Ansbro, Lamont.
