Leeds Carnegie relegated from Aviva Premiership after defeat by Saints – Rugby news
Northampton Saints were trailing by 21 points in the first 28 minutes of the match but came back strongly to deliver Leeds Carnegie a thumping defeat to relegate Leeds from the Aviva Premiership. Saints played host to Leeds at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday,
May 7, as Leeds required at least two points from the match to secure their future in Aviva Premiership.
Leeds failure to win the match and failure to win two points ensured the Newcastle Falcons stayed in the Aviva Premiership irrespective of the fact that Bath Rugby has defeated them by a margin of 30 points at Recreation Ground earlier today.
Leeds Carnegie will be hugely disappointed with their performance particularly during the second-half in which they failed to score a single point. At the end of the game, they found themselves a try short, which might have secured their Aviva future, as
they were able to win a losing bonus point from the match.
Leeds started the match magnificently as they enjoyed both ball and territory possession. They were able to penetrate the defence of the hosts at regular interval and denied them any sort of control in the game particularly during the first two quarters.
Leeds flank Hendre Fourie scored the first try of the match during the third minute of the game to give first of many shocks to the Saints. Leeds fly half, Adrian Jarvis, followed up with his conversion to give the minnows a seven-point lead.
Rhys Oakley scored the second try for Leeds in the seventh minute of the game followed by Jarvis’ conversion to take the scorecard reading 14 – 0.
Saints open their account in the match courtesy of their fly half’s 11th minute penalty. However, this did not hold back the Leeds as they badly dented Saints in reply.
Jarvis successfully kicked his first penalty of the game during the 15th minute of the game followed Leeds winger Pete Wackett’s 18th minute try. Jarvis scored his conversion to put visitors into a commanding position in the match.
However, Leeds was unaware that this will be their last scoring opportunity in the match as Saints came back strongly to win the game and denied Leeds from scoring a try that could helped them to remain in the Aviva Premiership.
Saints flank Phil Dowson scored their first try in the 29th minute of the game as Saints followed it by penalty try during the 38th minute of the game. Saints fly half Shane Geraghty’s conversion left Saints trailing by nine points
at the end of the first half.
Saints dominated the second half and regained control of the game. Saints reduced the lead courtesy of their winger Chris Ashton’s 47th minute try followed by Geraghty’s conversion. Saints added nine more points in the second half through penalties.
Substitute fly half, Stephen Myler, scored two of three penalties during the 54th and 76th minute of the game. The other penalty was scored by Saints centre Joe Ansbro.
Leeds' do have an outside chance to retain their place in the Aviva Premiership if Cornish Pirates defeats the favourites Worcester in the Championship play-off final.
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