Northampton edge-out rivals Leicester
Toby Flood grabbed a 13-point haul
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Saturday, 10, Jan 2009 08:14
Northampton Saints overcame midland rivals Leicester Tigers 17-13 in the only game of the Guinness Premiership today.
All the other games in the Premiership today fell victim to the weather and called off, but the fans at Franklins Gardens were treated to a great game today.
The Saints led 10-6 at half-time thanks to two tries from local boy Paul Diggin, while two Toby Flood penalties kept Leicester in the game.
Northampton increased their lead at the start of the second-half thanks to a Ben Foden try and though Flood scored a late try for the Tigers and grabbed a personal haul of 13 points, it was Northampton who held on for an important win.
The victory could have been a lot easier for Northampton had Stephen Myler had his kicking boots on. The fly-half missed two early penalty attempts and missed a total of five shots at goal.
Northampton scored their first try with a free-flowing move which started in midfield before they worked the ball out to the right-wing where full-back Foden found some space and gave a simple pass to Diggin to score. Myler failed with a conversion but made amends by setting up the next try.
The 24-year-old side-stepped his way through the Tigers defence and broke from his own 22 and passed the ball on to the grateful Diggin who ran in his second try. Myler missed the conversion and a penalty a few minutes later. He was made to pay as Flood kicked two first-half penalties.
Northampton scored the best try of the match in the second-half when Diggin attacked from his own half and the Saints passed the ball from one end of the pitch to the other before Foden cut through the Tigers defence to score. Myler was finally successful with a kick at goal.
Flood scored a late try for Leicester but it turned out to be a consolation effort as Northampton won their fifth game of the season.