Saints secure home semi
Mike Catt made his final bow on Saturday as Northampton thrashed London Irish 31-7 at the Madejski Stadium.
Last Updated: 09/05/10 10:25am
Mike Catt made his final bow on Saturday but sentiment was in short supply as Northampton ended their regular season campaign by thrashing London Irish 31-7 at the Madejski Stadium.
The result ensured that Saints finished the regular season in second place to secure themselves a home semi-final against Saracens in the Guinness Premiership play-offs.
It was also achieved in some style - the visitors taking an 11-0 lead into the break thanks to Jon Clarke's 39th-minute try and two penalties by Stephen Myler.
Chris Ashton scored Northampton's second try while Clarke completed his brace late on, with Myler kicking the rest of their points.
The Exiles' only points came from Danie Coetzee's 65th-minute try, converted by Tom Homer, as Toby Booth's men rounded off the season with sixth place in the standings.
Catt, a World Cup-winner in 2003, came off the bench for the last 13 minutes for Irish, ahead of his new career as their attack coach.
Late shuffle
Booth was forced into a late shuffle of his back line after Delon Armitage was a late withdrawal, the England full-back replaced by winger Topsy Ojo with Homer reverting to number 15.
However, at the end of a season which started with hopes of a playoff place before being dashed by injuries, they did at least field winger Sailosi Tagicakibau for the first time since February.
The Samoa international made the first break, sprinting 60 yards before being hauled down by opposite wing Ashton, who struggled against Tagicakibau in the first half.
Homer missed a penalty attempt in the fourth minute before Myler opened his account with a 35-yard kick after 18 minutes for 3-0.
Defences dominated early on, although Saints looked more dangerous out wide and having gained turnover ball, they really should have made the most of a clear four-on-one overlap in the 25th minute.
Myler nevertheless made it to 6-0 with a 35th-minute penalty before Northampton finally crossed the line for the opening try seconds before the break.
It came after Ashton sent Clarke scampering away down the left wing, the centre then crossing for his eighth try of the season.
Myler missed the conversion and did the same with a penalty chance early in the second half. However, any concerns soon diminished when Ashton went over in the 48th minute.
Left standing,/h5>
The home defence was left standing after a quick tap and with Soane Tonga'uiha taking the ball on, Bruce Reihana served up the opportunity on a plate for Ashton.
In front of watching England manager Martin Johnson, he then grounded under the posts for his 23rd try of the season.
Myler kicked a simple conversion and the fly-half then kicked his third successful penalty of the afternoon for 21-0.
The home support finally had something to shout about in the 65th minute when, after a number of phases which probed the Northampton line, Coetzee went over from a yard out.
Homer added the extras before Catt came off the bench to thunderous applause.
At the same time, Saints full-back Ben Foden departed to be replaced by Shane Geraghty - the England international immediately receiving treatment by medical staff.
Catt had no time to galvanise his side, however, with Clarke having the last laugh with a late try down the left.
