Sleightholme runs riot in a Saints slaughter
OLLIE Sleightholme scored four tries as rampant Saints ensured Worcester’s miserable season continued with a crushing defeat.
Warriors were already in trouble – losing 22-7 – when their former England wing, Chris Ashton, was red carded in the 51st minute for charging into a ruck and making contact with the head of Northampton replacement, Tommy Freeman.
However after Ashton’s dismissal, their performance became abject as there was total capitulation.
Worcester head coach Jonathan Thomas said: “That scoreline is not acceptable and our supporters don’t deserve a result like that.
“The club is in transition, there are 20 players leaving the club at the end of the season so there is a lot going on behind the scenes.
“We are not a bad team, the youngsters are working hard but we are not on top of it in terms of confidence.
“In the first half, we made a lot of line-breaks but we didn’t take them and I’m fed up of talking about it as it’s obvious that if you don’t take your chances in the Premiership you won’t win many games.”
Northampton suffered a blow when Dan Biggar, withdrew from the starting line-up with a minor leg injury picked up in training but they soon overcame this setback to take an early lead.
Alex Mitchell darted away to provide a sweetlytimed pass to George Furbank, who burst clean through the home defence to score.
Worcester came close when Perry Humphreys was held up over the line but Francois Hougaard knocked on at the resulting scrum which enabled Saints to relieve the pressure.
A strong run from Matt Kvesic provided some impetus to Warriors’ play
and the try-line beckoned only for Ollie Lawrence to go it alone and the chance was lost.
Northampton then suffered two setbacks in quick succession. First they lost centre Rory Hutchinson, who was injured in tackling Lawrence and they then conceded a try when the home backs combined well to send Ashton flying over in the corner.
Billy Searle converted before James Grayson put his side back in front with a straightforward penalty before Saints’ injury woes continued when Furbank limped off.
Lawrence and Joe Batley both make excellent 40m runs into the opposition 22 but Worcester showed their perpetual failing in not being able to capitalise and the visitors made them pay.
Skilful handling sent
Sleightholme flying down the right flank and he brushed off some weak tackling to score with Grayson’s conversion giving Northampton a 15-7 interval lead.
Saints extended that advantage by scored a brilliant third when quick passing sent Freeman away before he kicked in-field for Mitchell to collect and score.
Ashton was then sent off before Sleightholme scored his second for the bonus point as the floodgates opened. Despite Saints losing Teimana Harrison to the sin-bin for a high challenge, it made no difference as Worcester conceded another try to Piers Francis.
Francois Venter then deliberately knocked on to concede a penalty try and pick up a yellow card before David Ribbans crossed with Sleightholme scoring two more to complete the rout.
Chris Pennell scored a last minute try for Warriors but the final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for them.