A last-minute try from Peter Horne sent Northampton crashing out of the Heineken Cup at the Pool stages as Glasgow won 27-20 on Saturday.
Glasgow headed into the clash having tasted defeat the hands of Ulster a week earlier, while Northampton were chasing a third consecutive win following victories over Exeter and Castres.
A brace of penalties of Ruaridh Jackson gave the Scottish outfit an early six-point lead, though the visitors struck back quickly through Stephen Myler's own three-pointer.
The Saints then took the lead ten minutes before half-time when the TMO adjudged a try for Dominic Waldouck following a spell of intense pressure from the visitors.
It took just six second-half minutes for Glasgow to find their way back into the contest, however, when Josh Strauss showed great strength to drive over for a try. Scott Wight converted to make it 13-10 to the hosts, though ten minutes later Glasgow were again behind when George Pisi crossed for an unconverted try.
The ding-dong battle continued into the final quarter of the match, with Niko Matawalu putting the Warriors back in front when he intercepted on half-way before racing clear for a try, converted by Wight.
But Foden crashed over on 71 minutes to level the scores and, crucially, the conversion was missed, setting the scene for Horne to brush off three would-be tacklers in the final minutes to snatch victory for Glasgow.
Horne's own conversion sparked jubilant scenes following a heart-stopping encounter at Scotstoun, and this time, the final whistle sounded before the Saints could find a response.
The scorers:
For Glasgow:
Tries: Strauss, Matawalu, Horne
Con: Wight 2, Horne
Pen: Jackson 2
For Northampton:
Tries: Waldouck, Pisi, Foden
Con: Myler
Pen: Myler
Yellow card: Waller (79 mins)
Glasgow: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Byron McGuigan, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 James Eddie, 6 Josh Strauss, 5 Al Kellock (capt), 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Moray Low, 2 Pat MacArthur, 1 Gordon Reid.
Replacements: 16 Doug Hall, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 N/A, 19 Tom Ryder, 20 Alex Dunbar, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Scott Wight, 23 Peter Horne.
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 James Wilson, 13 George Pisi, 12 Dom Waldouck, 11 Jamie Elliott, 10 Steve Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Phil Dowson, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Paul Doran-Jones, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Rhys Oakley, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Tom May.
Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)
Assistant referees: Gwynn Morris Wayne Davies (Wales)
Television match official: Huw Lewis (Wales)
Comments
Jediboy says...
Some good points made here.
Saints were poor but fair play to Glasgow, they wanted this and got it.
I've always liked Jim Mallinder so am not calling for his head. Changes are needed for sure, but I thi the biggest change needed is a change of mentality. We need that killer instinct, the clinical ability to close games out. That's missing most of the time at the moment. That said, we've had some big wins this season, so it's there. It's just not consistently there.
Posted 08:42 20th January 2013
bullitt says...
The players are (with the exception of Myler) all of a decent enough standard. The main problem is the mentality. Saints historically have been perennial bridesmaids, always happy to turn up but never be the main interest. It looked like they'd got away from that a couple of years back, but suddenly the team ethos vanished and they're back in that position again.
The tactics are outdated, the players appear at odds and the coach doesn't have answers. At this rate, Alex King will either cancel the new contract or become a head coach next season.
Glasgow were good value for their win today, but Northampton were not up to scratch and should never have allowed Glasgow into the game when you consider the territorial and possession stats. And that Glasgow were a player down from KO.
The buck has to stop at the top. Mallenders time is numbered.
Posted 21:23 19th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
It's what they have to get through to be great. But they dont have the squad depth to fight on all fronts all season. This may help their Aviva chances if they can make the top 4.
Posted 21:12 19th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Another dissapointing defeat, our weakness seems to be our inability to get over the hump of winning decisive games, we've thrown away a HC final, a HC quarter final, 3 premiership semi finals, an LV cup final, two decisive qualifying games (one last year one this year) for the HC quarter finals and inumerable close encounters with our greatest rivals (Leicester and Saracens). If we look at the hard, cold facts...we choke in big games, which is why I've been saying Mallinder needs to make some REALLY big signings this season or else we'll just decline. He's taken a step in the right direction with signing Corbs, now we need a big signing at 8 and one at 12 or else we might as well say goodbye to our HC qualifying place next season.
Posted 19:44 19th January 2013
craigster99 says...
Yaaaas. Finally a victory in the HC for the mighty Warriors. Too late though.
Posted 19:18 19th January 2013
melkdave says...
Very disappointed with Saints this season ,just not consistent enough or inventive enough .FH still a problem area,and missing something in the backrow aswell imo.Also just not enough depth overall of class in the squad espically in the backlineUntil these problems are solved Saints will neverwin the AP or HC They will be good/decent and able to beat anyone on their day,but not a great or feared side.
Posted 15:53 19th January 2013