Northampton 16 - 18 Gloucester
Saturday 26 February 2011
Northampton Saints' miserable run continued as they slipped to a narrow 18-16 home defeat to Gloucester at Franklins Gardens. The Saints have now lost five consecutive Aviva Premiership games while in contrast, Gloucester are upwardly mobile sitting in 3rd position, just three points behind Saracens with a game in hand.
Pundits predicting an open and exciting game but the difficult conditions put paid to that before kick-off with a swirling wind and torrential rain setting in the East Midlands.
First Half
Nicky Robinson had the first chance to open the scoring for the visitors with a penalty after the Gloucester pack destroyed the Saints scrum but with the wind in his face, Robinson pulled his effort wide. The prolific Stephen Myler had no such problems at the other end however as he slotted over a penalty, after the visitors were caught offside, Northampton 3 “ 0 Gloucester.
The Saints pack clearly wanted to make up for the early beating in the scrum and forced two penalties in the next two scrimmages, forcing Gloucester to kicking long downfield in order to gain position. On 22 minutes though there was nothing the wind or the Saints could do to prevent the visitors scoring their first try. The lively winger Jonny May weaved his way handsomely through gaps in the Saints to score under the posts. Robinson added the extras Northampton 3-7 Gloucester.
The scrum was becoming the biggest talking point of the game as hookers Brett Sharman and Olivier Azam battled to give their side the advantage. Northampton again crushed the visiting scrum on 26 minutes and Myler struck the resulting penalty to reduce the lead to one point Northampton 6 -7 Gloucester. Two minutes before half-time though, Gloucester hit the Saints with a sucker-punch. Missed tackles allowed Robinson to scythe through the home defence and send May over in the corner for his second try, Northampton 6 “ 12 Gloucester. Robinson missed the conversion Northampton 6 “ 12 Gloucester.
Second Half
Presumably after a stern word from head coach Jim Mallinder, Northampton pinned back Gloucester for the first ten minutes of the second period and on 47 minutes, they got their rewards. Myler put a delightful grubber kick through and Greig Tonks was on the spot to collect and touch down under the posts. Myler kicked the simple conversion and Northampton were seemingly in control even if the scoreboard was tight Northampton 13 “ 12 Gloucester.
Robinson was in no mood to let the game slip away from his side though and recaptured the lead with a penalty on 57 minutes after Northampton were caught going in at the side, Northampton 13 “ 15 Gloucester. The Saints were again pressing the self-destruct button as they brought down a visiting maul to give away another penalty. Robinson was on top of his game and duly stretched the lead Northampton 13 “ 18 Gloucester.
It then seemed no-one wanted to win the game as Gloucester's ill discipline gave away a penalty in the scrum. Myler put the kick over and to make it Northampton 16 “ 18 Gloucester, it was game on. But the experienced away side then expertly wound down the last ten minutes in home territory and saw the game out to record a priceless away win.
Man of the Match “ Nicky Robinson put in a classy performance to take the game away from Northampton repeatedly. The Welshman's kicking was impressive in such difficult conditions.
Northampton:
Tries - Tonks
Conversions - Myler
Penalties - Myler (3)
Drop-goals - None
Gloucester:
Tries: May (2)
Conversions - Robinson
Penalties - Robinson (2)
Drop-goals “ None
Thoughts - Northampton's hard work at the early part of the season is being undone and they must quickly rediscover their form to maintain hopes of a play-off place. Jim Mallinder will see this as a massive opportunity missed after dominating most of the game. Gloucester will be delighted at the way they soaked up a lot of home pressure and managed to see the game out at one of the toughest grounds to visit in the country. The Saints travel to Exeter next Sunday whilst Gloucester host in-form Bath next Saturday.
