Superior Saints go on 14-try rampage
THE good times keep on rolling at Franklin’s Gardens as Northampton put their Champions Cup heartbreak behind them to secure a home Premiership semi-final with a ruthless demolition of a Gloucester side with one eye on their Challenge Cup final later this month.
Premiership top try scorer Ollie Sleightholme grabbed a hat-trick as Saints recorded their biggest ever domestic victory – this 14-try demolition surpassed the previous club record back in 2014 when Northampton beat Wasps 74-13 and was only six points short of the league’s record – Richmond winning away at Bedford in 1999 106-12.
Scorelines like these are far from ideal for the Premiership but Northampton won’t care one bit, providing a ruthless 80-minute onslaught from the off as the hosts proved superior in every single category.
Timid visitors Gloucester were littered with inexperienced youngsters after only skipper Lewis Ludlow, Josh Hathaway and Freddie Thomas remained from their semi-final victory over Benetton at Kingsholm last weekend.
Everything Fin Smith seems to touch turns into gold right now as the 22-year-old birthday boy showcased his deadeye goal kicking and composed attacking flair, but what’s most impressive is the slight stand-off’s formidable defence which could be what sets him apart from his England 10 jersey competitors.
Smith broke Champions Cup records for his 20 tackles in the narrow defeat to Leinster last week and rode numerous shots from Gloucester’s heavy hitters, but he also wasn’t afraid to give a few back.
Courtney Lawes led the team out in his final regular season home match after 17 years at the club, and Saints made a dream start scoring their first try inside the first minute when their silky backline clicked to allow George Hendy the space to race free and feed George Furbank to touch down.
Fraser Dingwall charged over for the second before Sleightholme continued his fine try scoring form, assisted by a sumptuous pass by Smith.
The four-try bonus point was secured after just 27 minutes with Curtis Langdon’s close-range score, and the hooker dotted down again moments later. Gloucester were crying out for half-time as Alex Mitchell’s try following Furbank’s break made it 40-0.
It took Northampton until the 42nd minute to concede their first penalty such was their complete dominance, before Alex Waller burrowed over to score on his final regular season outing at Franklin’s Gardens following 15 years of service.
The retiring prop was seconds later hooked by Phil Dowson, receiving a deserved standing ovation and was in tears as he departed the pitch. Sam Matavesi pushed Northampton past the half century before substitute Emmanuel Iyogun scored on his 50th appearance.
Sleightholme grabbed his second under the sticks and second row Alex Moon crashed over for Northampton’s 11th.
Gloucester won a rare penalty inside Saints territory and the visitors made a bizarre decision to go for goal. Charlie Atkinson stepped up but blew his kick wide from straight in front, much to the amusement of the home crowd, with the embarrassing miss summing up Gloucester’s nightmare.
There was still time for Sleightholme to complete his treble, Tom James got on the scoresheet and Matavesi scored his second.