Northampton Saints suffer Benetton scare to remain in course for quarter-finals

Northampton Saints 33-20 Benetton Treviso, Franklin's Gardens
Scorecard

Northampton Saints scored four second-half tries as they defeated Benetton Treviso 33-20 in their Heineken Champions Cup clash at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday.

This is Northampton's third win from five games as they consolidated their second position in Pool 1 while Benetton are languishing at the bottom with their fourth defeat from five games.

Benetton suffered a setback early when Dewaldt Duvenage left the field early with an injury and Harry Mallinder helped Northampton off the mark with a sixth minute try.

Tommaso Allan led Benetton's response with a 12th minute penalty goal but Charly Trussardi's sin bin at the stroke of half-time provided Northampton a chance.

Nevertheless, the home side failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage and instead Benetton stretched their lead further with Tommaso Benvenuti's try in the 34th minute making it 5-10 at the end of the first half.

The opening minutes of the second half saw Henry Taylor and Epalahame Faiva trade tries before Francois van Wyk's touchdown by the 59th minute made the scoreline 19-17.

Allan put the French side into lead with another penalty kick but Northampton seized the game in the final 10 minutes with back to back tries from Fraser Dingwall and Andy Symons to complete a 13-point win for the Saints.