Woeful first half leaves Dragons in distress
THE FINAL score suggested Dragons had given Northampton a game. In reality, the 80 minutes was very different.
The hosts were shocking in the first 40 and went into the break 21-0 down after producing error after error. It was woeful stuff and allowed Saints to dominate.
Northampton played well but not exceptionally and they were gifted a bonus-point success as lock Dave Ribbans produced a two-try display as part of an impressive Saints pack.
Victory got Northampton’s Cup campaign back on track after last week’s home defeat to Clermont.
“It was a pivotal game for us and we are happy to get five points,” said Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd. “If we continue to keep the ball for long periods then we will be a handful for teams.
“Courtney Lawes put in a big shift coming back into the side and it’s a big boost he’s signed a new deal. He’s a top player and Northampton through and through. He could have gone away for more money and that says a lot about him.”
Fly-half Josh Lewis summed up an awful home first half by kicking the ball dead twice and putting a restart out on the full to jeers from the home crowd.
Ribbans’ close range opener was followed by an effort from scrum-half Alex Mitchell following a fine Dan Biggar break.
Then, with Lewis Evans yellow carded for sacking a maul, Saints went again and Mathieu Raynal awarded a penalty try.
Dragons replacement Adam Warren was also sin binned for the same offence and conceded an automatic seven points.
Biggar failed to appear for the second half due to a hip knock, but Boyd allayed any fears it would impact his availability for Wales’ autumn Tests.
Saints’ forward dominance continued and Ribbans’ second and a late Cobus Reinach breakaway sealed a comfortable win.
Elliot Dee and Jarryd Sage got Dragons consolations before the last play saw a home penalty try. Reinach was sin binned for bringing down the driving line-out.
Dragons head coach Bernard Jackman said: “We are really frustrated with our first-half performance. We make silly mistakes and we’ve made it hard for ourselves in Europe now.”