Centurion Phil Dowson offloads to try-scorer Jamie Elliot
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS (10) 20
- Tries: Chavhanga 3
- Cons: Prydie
- Pens
- : Prydie
NORTHAMPTON (6) 30
- Tries: Dowson, Elliot
- Cons: Lamb
- Pens
- : Lamb 5
- Drop goal
- : Lamb
- LV= Cup
- 18th Nov 2012
- KO 15:15
An industrious performance from Northampton Saints
secured their first win in five matches as the courageous Dragons were slain,
despite a hat-rick of tries for Newport winger Tonderai Chavhanga.
Following a last gasp defeat to Harlequins last
time out, Saints took a formidable squad down to South Wales in an attempt to
gain momentum going into the tricky winter period, which saw Lee Dickson and
Phil Dowson recalled following their release from the England squad.
Despite the Dragons only winning two games this
season, a tough afternoon was expected, with Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder
stating: "Its never easy to play in Wales, but we're going to be up for it
and I'm looking for an 80-minute performance to get us back to winning
ways."
Saints
signalled their intent early on, gathering Ryan Lamb's kick off and setting up
field position through superiority at the ruck along with powerful ball
carriers. Samu Manoa charged forwards and his deft offload to Dowson, making
his 100th appearance for Saints, allowed Northampton to open the scoring
through a Lamb penalty following a Dragons infringement at the resulting
breakdown.
After increasing pressure on the Newport 22 yard
line, Saints manufactured an opportunity through quick hands from Dowson to
youthful winger Jamie Elliot, who finished well in the corner, only to be
brought back by the linesman for a foot in touch as he sprinted in to
score.
Samu Manoa carries into Dragons tacklers
Newport Fly-Half Dan Evans began to orchestrated
things well at stand-off, his distribution effective, and the Dragons won a
surprising penalty at the dominant Saints scrum for illegal binding, which was
dispatched from 50 meters out by Wales international Tom Prydie.
Saints scrum power was expected and came to
prominence after 25 minutes as the Dragons buckled under pressure up front
allowing Lamb to slot his second penalty of the afternoon, putting them back in
front at 6-3. However, Newport crossed the whitewash with an expertly crafted
1st phase move through former Springbok Tonderai Chavhanga. A lovely inside
ball from captain Ashley Smith carved through the Saints defence, allowing the
rangy winger to gallop and score unopposed.
Lamb missed his penalty kick at goal on the stroke
of half time, leaving the visitors trailing at the break. However straight
after the restart, Saints regained their scrum dominance and won a penalty
straight in front of the posts, which Lamb duly dispatched this time bringing
the score to 10-9.
Dragons roared back and following a ill advised
attempted chip by Saints inside their own 22. which was gathered by Newport and
skipper Smith, who put Chavhanga in to score his second try of the game with
Prydie unable to convert the try.
Brian "Mooj" Mujati takes the ball into contact.
Northampton up front dominance was key to securing
the victory and on 50 minutes their mauling dynamism came to fruition. A catch
and drive opportunity was set up and the Saints pack rumbled over the line with
Dowson at the bottom of the pile to seal his sentimental day with a try.
Lamb converted Dowson's try and added his 3rd
penalty of the match following offside Dragons players after a poor up and
under by Chavhanga. Lamb dispatched another penalty on 56 minutes and ensuing
the constant infringement at the break down, referee Pearce produced a yellow
card for Dragons replacement prop Nathan Buck. It was only a matter of time
before Saints made their numerical command count and on the hour mark a
beautifully orchestrated chip kick was gathered by 19 year old wing Elliot to
race through and finish.
However the Newport refused to lay down, and a long
pass out to South African international wing Chavhanga allowed the pacey flyer
to dive in and complete his hat trick, despite video replays showing his foot
was in touch in the process of scoring. Despite this Dragons back lash,
Northampton saw the game out with Lamb coolly slotting a drop goal to extend
the lead to 10 points, a lead that was never threatened for the rest of the
match and secured a win that shot Saints to the top of Pool 4.
 |
| Centurion Phil Dowson offloads to try-scorer Jamie Elliot |
NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS (10) 20
- Tries: Chavhanga 3
- Cons: Prydie
- Pens
- : Prydie
- NORTHAMPTON (6) 30
- Tries: Dowson, Elliot
- Cons: Lamb
- Pens
- : Lamb 5
- Drop goal
- : Lamb
- LV= Cup
- 18th Nov 2012
- KO 15:15
An industrious performance from Northampton Saints
secured their first win in five matches as the courageous Dragons were slain,
despite a hat-rick of tries for Newport winger Tonderai Chavhanga.
Following a last gasp defeat to Harlequins last
time out, Saints took a formidable squad down to South Wales in an attempt to
gain momentum going into the tricky winter period, which saw Lee Dickson and
Phil Dowson recalled following their release from the England squad.
Despite the Dragons only winning two games this
season, a tough afternoon was expected, with Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder
stating: "Its never easy to play in Wales, but we're going to be up for it
and I'm looking for an 80-minute performance to get us back to winning
ways."
Saints
signalled their intent early on, gathering Ryan Lamb's kick off and setting up
field position through superiority at the ruck along with powerful ball
carriers. Samu Manoa charged forwards and his deft offload to Dowson, making
his 100th appearance for Saints, allowed Northampton to open the scoring
through a Lamb penalty following a Dragons infringement at the resulting
breakdown.
After increasing pressure on the Newport 22 yard
line, Saints manufactured an opportunity through quick hands from Dowson to
youthful winger Jamie Elliot, who finished well in the corner, only to be
brought back by the linesman for a foot in touch as he sprinted in to
score.
 |
| Samu Manoa carries into Dragons tacklers |
Newport Fly-Half Dan Evans began to orchestrated
things well at stand-off, his distribution effective, and the Dragons won a
surprising penalty at the dominant Saints scrum for illegal binding, which was
dispatched from 50 meters out by Wales international Tom Prydie.
Saints scrum power was expected and came to
prominence after 25 minutes as the Dragons buckled under pressure up front
allowing Lamb to slot his second penalty of the afternoon, putting them back in
front at 6-3. However, Newport crossed the whitewash with an expertly crafted
1st phase move through former Springbok Tonderai Chavhanga. A lovely inside
ball from captain Ashley Smith carved through the Saints defence, allowing the
rangy winger to gallop and score unopposed.
Lamb missed his penalty kick at goal on the stroke
of half time, leaving the visitors trailing at the break. However straight
after the restart, Saints regained their scrum dominance and won a penalty
straight in front of the posts, which Lamb duly dispatched this time bringing
the score to 10-9.
Dragons roared back and following a ill advised
attempted chip by Saints inside their own 22. which was gathered by Newport and
skipper Smith, who put Chavhanga in to score his second try of the game with
Prydie unable to convert the try.
 |
| Brian "Mooj" Mujati takes the ball into contact. |
Northampton up front dominance was key to securing
the victory and on 50 minutes their mauling dynamism came to fruition. A catch
and drive opportunity was set up and the Saints pack rumbled over the line with
Dowson at the bottom of the pile to seal his sentimental day with a try.
Lamb converted Dowson's try and added his 3rd
penalty of the match following offside Dragons players after a poor up and
under by Chavhanga. Lamb dispatched another penalty on 56 minutes and ensuing
the constant infringement at the break down, referee Pearce produced a yellow
card for Dragons replacement prop Nathan Buck. It was only a matter of time
before Saints made their numerical command count and on the hour mark a
beautifully orchestrated chip kick was gathered by 19 year old wing Elliot to
race through and finish.
However the Newport refused to lay down, and a long
pass out to South African international wing Chavhanga allowed the pacey flyer
to dive in and complete his hat trick, despite video replays showing his foot
was in touch in the process of scoring. Despite this Dragons back lash,
Northampton saw the game out with Lamb coolly slotting a drop goal to extend
the lead to 10 points, a lead that was never threatened for the rest of the
match and secured a win that shot Saints to the top of Pool 4.
