Slick Saints sink Quins
Northampton inflicted only Harlequins' second league defeat of the season as they ran out convincing 24-3 winners at Franklin's Gardens.
Last Updated: 06/01/12 10:00pm
Northampton inflicted only Harlequins' second Aviva Premiership defeat of the season as they ran out convincing 24-3 winners at Franklin's Gardens on Friday night.
With new England coach Stuart Lancaster watching from the stands, it was the Saints stars who gave their international ambitions a boost as they ran in two tries without reply on the way to a victory that consolidates third place in the league standings and maintained their excellent recent form.
Ben Foden and Roger Wilson touched down for Northampton as Ryan Lamb contributed the other 14 points, while his opposite number Rory Clegg - who endured another night to forget with the boot - kicked Quins' solitary reply.
Things had started well for the visitors who enjoyed much the better of territory and possession in the early stages, but they were left to rue their inability to secure points as Lamb stroked over a penalty on 13 minutes to edge Northampton ahead.
That prompted a major change in momentum which was compounded when Quins' England back-rower Nick Easter was shown a yellow card for purposefully pulling over a rolling maul from the side.
Lamb quickly doubled the lead with a well-taken drop-goal and then set up his side's opening score after some enforced improvisation.
Clean pair of heels
The fly-half nearly spilt Lee Dickson's quick pass from the base of the scrum but, having juggled it, regained his composure to float out a long pass to Foden who showed his England full-back rival Mike Brown a clean pair of heels on the outside before diving over in the corner for a fine score.
Lamb added his second penalty on 35 minutes, although Quins captain Chris Robshaw then inspired his side to their first points after charging down a kick and setting off on a purposeful burst that was eventually rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts which Clegg kicked.
But it was Lamb who had the final say of the half with his third penalty as Harlequins again paid the price for indiscipline, this time it was second-rower Olly Kohn penalised for a pull-back at the line-out.
The second half started in a similar vein to the first with the visitors very much on the front foot, but once again they were made to pay for their profligacy as Clegg missed two penalty opportunities in quick succession.
Having weathered the mini-storm, Northampton hit back and all but killed the game off with their second try on 55 minutes.
After moving the ball first one way and then quickly back the other to create space in midfield, Lamb spun a flat pass to put in Wilson from close range before adding the conversion.
Saints were hindered by the sin-binning of Mark Sorensen just before the hour mark for intentionally killing the ball, but in truth they never looked in any real danger of being reeled in and ultimately could have added to their impressive victory margin.
