Northampton Saints move 7 points clear at the top of the table after a precious 41-30 bonus point win against Saracens under the Friday night lights.
The Londoners arrived at Franklin’s Gardens fully loaded with international stars and were the bookies favourites after Saints’ Bristol wobble and Sarries’ demolition of Quins the week before.
However another imperious display from Player of the Match Fin Smith coupled with some outstanding performances throughout the team (take a bow Langdon, James and Sleighthome) saw Saints safely home against a late Sarries fightback.
Saints started the fastest, Alex Coles strolling over to finish off some persistent pressure on the Saracens line. Fin Smith converted, 7-0.
Things would get better for the home side James Ramm scoring despite a lengthy TMO check. Smith added the extras in front of the posts again. 14-0.
Smith was at it again a minute later, slotting a penalty to extend the lead to 17.
Saracens would then receive a gift off the restart, Theo McFarland charging down a kick to score. Owen Farrell added the two, 17-7.
Momentum swung to the visitors after a raft of penalties, Farrell once again making the most of it to bring the game back to a one-score game. 17-10.
Saints would have to work hard to make sure they went into the break ahead, Nick Tompkins amongst a number of Saracens players coming close to going over the whitewash.
Saracens hit back straight after the break, Farrell slotting another penalty from under the posts after the hosts were deemed to not roll away at the breakdown. 17-13.
James Ramm would score his second of the game after a nifty Saints breakaway, Smith added the extras. 24-13
Saracens were gifted their second try of the game, Ben Earl charging down another box kick to go in under the posts to the delight of the travelling support, Farrell converted 24-20.
Smith extended the lead back out to 7 points with a penalty before Tommy Freeman continued his fine scoring form notching Saints bonus-point try. 34-20.
The game would be put to bed when Saints extended their lead to 21 points, Ollie Sleightholme picking up a loose pass before racing away to score. Converted yet again. 41-20.
The visitors ended the game with a flurry of tries both coming from Alex Lewington, enough to rescue a try bonus, but would miss out on the losing bonus point with both kicks missed. 41-30
Northampton now look ahead to Munster in the round-of-16 of the Investec Champions Cup at the Gardens next weekend.
