Grayson stars as Saints’ lads see off Tigers

JAMES Grayson scored 18 points as Northampton kicked off their Academy League season in style with a 41-13 win over arch-rivals Leicester last weekend.

Playmaker Grayson, son of Saints’ legend Paul, converted his own try after Tom Hardwick had kicked Leicester into an early lead with a penalty.

Grayson was also on target when Tosin Segun and Joe Wallace got over the line in the first half to see Saints one score away from the try bonuspoint at half-time.

Leicester trailed by only 21-13 at the break, though, after Corey Lewis and Joe Green both crossed.

Howveer they remained scoreless in the second half and tries from Ollie Sleightholme, Samson Ma’asi, and Sam Cappaert ensured Saints took all five match points.

“It doesn’t get much better than a win on derby day,” said Grayson. “The lads have been waiting all pre-season for this one so they did really well to go out and get five points.

“We attacked at the right times, we made sure we exited well and to be fair to the boys out wide, there was some good finishing on show today which is pleasing to see.”

Another derby saw Bath and Bristol lock horns in what turned out to be a titanic battle between the two West Country rivals.

Bristol led 22-15 late on after a brace from skipper James Dun and Matt Welsh’s 50 metre effort, but a try under the posts from Will Partington salvaged the draw for Bath.

Yorkshire Carnegie beat Newcastle 34-29 while Gloucester were in brilliant form to thump Saracens 59-26 and Wasps dominated Worcester 28-17.