Saints unbeaten so far in Heineken Cup; will take on Leinster in Final - Rugby
Perpignan's winless streak on English soil during the European Challenge Cup continues as Northampton Saints defeat the visitors 23 – 7. Both team were playing in the Heineken Cup semifinal at Milton Keynes on Sunday, May 1. The win
maintains the Northampton Saints unbeaten run in the European challenge cup.
The Saints dominated the match, as Perpignan scoring was limited to just 12 minutes out of the 80 minutes of the game. Both teams started the match strongly and made efforts to penetrate deep into each other halves but failed to score.
Saints were better team at scrum with 100% scrum success rate, as compare to the Perpignan’s 60%. Saints enjoyed more ball and territory possession in the match as compare to the Perpignan. However, they Saint missed two penalties
as score three of the five penalties they won during the match.
Saints open the scoring for the game as their fullback Ben Foden scored first try of the match during the 14th minute of the game. Saints fly half Stephen Myler followed by the conversion.
Saints came scoring again with their centre Jon Clarke’s try during the 30th minute of the game. Myler followed with his second conversion of the game to give Saints 17 points lead. Perpignan’s winger Julien Candelon was
shown yellow card for his tackle on Saints scrum half Lee Dickson. Saints extended their lead as Myler scored his second penalty during the 37th minute of the game.
Perpignan with a man down was able to create an opening to put their first points onboard. Their hooker Guilhem Guirado scored a try during the 38th minute of the game. Perpignan fullback Jerome Porical followed by his conversion
to score their last points of the match.
Perpignan started the second-half trailing by 13th points and tried their best to overcome the deficit but failed to do so. Saints on the other hand just added three points to their half-time score and then opted for defence
over attack. Saints prop Soane Tonga'uiha was phenomenal in the scrum and saints will be relying heavily on him to help them clinch the European crown for the second time.
Northampton Saints won their only European Rugby Club title in 2000. Similarly, Leinster has won once during the 2008 – 09 season. Saints will face a stiff challenge from the Irish province. However, their gameplan which gave them
victory over Perpignan and Saints and neutralised the Perpignan scrum will give them an advantage over the Leinster.
Tags: