Scarlets thump Northampton Saints by 28-23 after an interesting encounter - Rugby News
Scarlets toppled Northampton saints by a handsome difference of 28-23 in their second match of the Heineken Cup 2011-12 on their way to make a comeback in the event. The match was played at Franklin’s Garden on Friday, November 18, night which was a must
win game for Northampton as they had already tasted defeat in their opening match against Munster on November 12.
The Saints are now left with very little chance to qualify for the next stages of tournament. On the other hand, victory has put the Scarlets on a comfortable position as they are the current leaders of Pool 1 with two consecutive victories.
Scarlets full-back Liam Williams started the game with an opening try just in the 2nd minute of the clash and gave a clear message to the rivals about their dangerous designs. Rhys Priestland, who is also an established fly-half Wales elevated
his side with follow up conversion and increased the lead to 7-0 in the next moment.
Ryan Lamb gave his team, Saints, hope with a penalty goal as he curtailed the point’s difference to 7-3 but their rivals were motivated to acheive nothing less than victory. Aaron Shingler boosted Scarlets superiority to 12-3 with a wonderful try in the
19th minute and they were well ahead of Saints at the interval with 21-9.
Although the second half belonged to the Northampton Saints as they added 14 points to their total and Scarlets in the meanwhile could grab only seven, the final equation favoured the Welsh side. Scarlets registered their second win in Heineken Cup in a
testing but comfortable manner with 28-23.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 James Downey, 11 Vas Artemyev, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan
Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Samu Manoa, 20 Phil Dowson, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Steve Myler, 23 George Pisi.
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Jon Edwards, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Rhys Thomas, 2 Matthew
Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Matt Gilbert, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Daniel Evans.
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