Tight battle: Liam Williams stops Samu Manoa
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Northampton ended the Scarlets' Heineken Cup quarter-final hopes on Saturday with a 29-17 victory at Parc y Scarlets.
The result means that if Munster win against Castres later in the day, they win be guaranteed of top spot in Pool One.
Scarlets led 14-6 at half time with Wales fly-half Rhys Priestland at the origin of all the hosts' points via three penalties and clever cross-field kick to create a try for winger Viliame Iongi.
But the momentum swung towards the Saints in the second period with a Soane Tonga'uiha touchdown and a Ben Foden intercept try in the dying moments sealing victory.
Referee Alain Rolland went some way towards repairing his relationship with Welsh fans early on when he sinbinned Tom May in just the second minute for tamely tossing the ball into the face of Gareth Davies after the whistle had blown.
But the home side managed just a solitary Priestland penalty during their ten minutes with an extra man.
Shortly after Priestland and Stephen Myler exchanged penalties, Rolland reversed a penalty in the Scarlets' favour for another dubious after-the-whistle offence from Calum Clark. Priestland took full advantage to make the score 9-3.
After half-an-hour of petulance and refereeing controversies, a game finally broke out when Priestland executed a cross-field kick perfectly and it was gathered comfortably by Iongi, who put the ball down untouched for the first try.
Myler did add another three points for the Saints before the break but the Llanelli outfit were winning the battle of the breakdown and were good value for their 14-6 half-time lead.
Northampton were grateful for the opportunity to regroup and Jim Mallinder's team-talk did the trick as they edged ahead ten minutes into the second half.
Tonga'uiha lunged over the line from short range after good pressure from the forwards and Myler added the conversion and yet another three points.
Priestland did briefly restore the Scarlets' lead shortly afterwards before Myler added a further two penalties from his unerring right boot.
Both teams had chances as the game wore on but, after the Scarlets had spent a long period camped on the Saints' line and severely tested their defence, Foden dealt the crucial blow.
The England full-back intercepted a pass in his own twenty-two and returned it the length of the field to score. Replacement Ryan Lamb added the conversion with the last kick of the match to effectively knock the Welsh side out of this year's competition.
The scorers:
For Scarlets:
Try: Iongi
Pens: Priestland 4
For Northampton:
Tries: Tonga'uiha, Foden
Cons: Myler 2
Pens: Myler 5
Yellow card: May (Saints - 2nd min - foul play)
Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 George North, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 Viliame Iongi, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Rob McCusker, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Lou Reed, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Iestyn Thomas.
Replacements:
16 Ken Owens, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Josh Turnbull, 20 Jon Edwards, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Stephen Jones, 23 Gareth Maule,
Northampton: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 George Pisi, 12 Tom May, 11 Vas Artemyev, 10 Steve Myler, 9 Martin Roberts, 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Mikey Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Christian Day, 20 Ben Nutley, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Scott Armstrong
Venue: Parc y Scarlets
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Leo Colgan (Ireland), Michael Black (Ireland)
Television match official: Sean Flannery (Ireland)
Comments
JMehrtens says...
Well after all the games of round 5 there is still some hope and a mathematical chance for the Scarlets although that requires them to score at least 15 tries.
Posted 22:08 15th January 2012
damo says...
No Credit goes to a pro ref who oversaw this game, Roland is also a poor ref, there needs to be an overhaul of the Ref's in the northern Hemisphere soon or rugby will decline in popularity, Northampton aren't "thugs", they have a couple of players who try their best to ruin every game they play most notably that clown at 2, he is everything wrong about Rugby and deserves a good talking to as he is a good player but ruins it with his personality on the pitch, its not competitive as there is a place for that but he put in 2 high tackles against Quins last week he killed the ball maybe 4 times and no card.
Posted 19:41 15th January 2012
7ton says...
Like Wales in the WC the scarlets are very talented but just don't seem to be able to finish things of. Credit to Northampton for some great defence. Wether he is the best full Back in Europe or not Foden is a great player and has a very good chance of being selected for the Lions.
The yellow card in the first minute may possibly have been a bit harsh but at least it helped to cut out a lot of the stupid niggle that has been seen in some games recently. Credit to Rolland for that.
Posted 14:12 15th January 2012
lawynd says...
@capedcrusader - given that no penalties/cards were given against Northampton for the sort of play that could brand you a 'thug', your comment seems utterly bizarre. The initial sinbin was indifensible and I'd hope someone gave Tom May a serious 'talking to' at half time or after the game, but that was the only unprovoked incident. I actually think from a discipline point of view, after starting the game with intent Rolland let far too much slide; Scarlets were lucky to not get at least two players binned, the first for picking the ball up on the wrong side of the ruck (which I suspect is where you're accusing Northampton of wrongdoing) and the second for multiple penalties in the 22 in the second half. The first in fact was completely ridiculous; I could perhaps understand reversing the penalty decision for the afters (but it's incredibly rare that a referee does that, either), but it was still a yellow card for deliberate illegal play.
Posted 14:08 15th January 2012
capedcrusader says...
Scarletts lost that game simply by not taking their chances late in the second half. Saints in part by defending very well took theirs to get the result. What is it with Saints so often just a bunch of thugs. So petulant at times - unprofessional given it's 2012.
Posted 13:25 15th January 2012
damo says...
@Headhunter, I agree Ashton tries hard in other areas but this guy is being touted as a top player and i am sorry to say he is far from this, I have seen Nacewa playing with a second string Leinster team doing everything from Kick to Chase to score trys to setting up trys to making breaks etc, a better example Luke Fitzgerald or george North they can do everything Ashton does but also can make a break can spot a gap for themselves not try to be the extra attacker and be put through a hole every time, I watch a lot of Rugby and England are faltering at present and need to improve, they will scrummage well and have a good kicking game but they also need something else, I also think Cueto is still far better than Ashton, Sale have 2/3 backs who need to be in the EPS now cos they are flying, the team shouldn't be picked based on the top teams in the HC or Aviva Premiership the best individuals need to be taken in and given a chance like I think Brady, May, and a few more
Posted 10:34 15th January 2012
Honestpom says...
Kearney is world class, simple....so is Foden. I'd have Kearney just in front though. Halfpenney might get onto a bench in front of Foden but not start ahead ( Halfpenny is another class act ). If Kearney stays injury free he will be awesome come lions time ( which is a waste of time these days but that is another subject ).
Posted 10:09 15th January 2012
makemehappy says...
@Jediboy - he did not stand out yesterday, at all. I didn't say he wasn't a good player, I said he wasn't the best. So you're wrong there, and hence my comment.
@mcdb06 - wrong - I'm not even Irish. Foden has a lot of pace (no doubt about that) so can cover well. My main issues with his play relate to his positional awareness, high ball catches, and angles of running when an attack isn't making much progress. Let's watch the 6N's and review where we stand. Based on the RWC he would clearly be in third place at best for the Lions (though noted England were awful).
Posted 09:58 15th January 2012
Headhunter99 says...
damo - I think your being a little blinkerd when you say all Ashton is is a finisher, he does a bit more than that. His support work off the ruck is very impressive, he's worked on his kicking game as well. I've not seen many backs hit the ruck to clean out as hard or as often as he does.
I will admit his attitude and mouth on the pitch don't help his cause - I wonder if he will be as dynamic if he joins Saracens for net season.
Posted 09:20 15th January 2012
mcdb06 says...
Great win by Saints, thought they didnt have it in them after 1st half. Very exciting finish.
@makemehappy sounds like a typical leinster fan, u need to take the blinkers off. Kearney's defense is rubbish and when counter attcking he never beats the first tackler. He just has a big boot. Foden's broken field running is class, and he proved yesterday his defense is international standard. He would easily make the lions team. Offers more than Kearney
Posted 09:07 15th January 2012
damo says...
far from it m8, Foden isn't bad, Brown is very good, Strettle is good, 13 for quins today is class, Simpson Daniel is 100 times the player ashton is FACT Ashton is a finisher, not many teams can carry a finisher for 80 minutes in a big game.
Posted 21:24 14th January 2012
Jediboy says...
Damo - you're too bitter.
To say Ashton's hopeless is also laughable.
But I suppose some people will take any opportunity to stick the knife into Englsh rugby.
Posted 20:11 14th January 2012
Jediboy says...
Makemehappy - it's laughable to suggest we need to watch more rugby because we think Foden is a good player.
Posted 20:05 14th January 2012
makemehappy says...
@lawynd and @NHsaints - sorry Ive seen loads of games where he just doesn't make a positive impact. He clearly looks lost sometimes at fullback. Lots of pace, but is he a British Lion - third choice possibly.
Anyone who starts stating head to head stats clearly doesnt understand that its a 15 man game. So I dont think its worth listening to your judgement. That is just daft (and Im being polite).
@Jediboy - He played OK. Jonathan Davies was the only back who really stood out, so guess you were watching a different game.
Pointelss arguing too much - lets just watch the 6N's performances - then we can conclude that he was the worst of the three, as he was the worse (easily) in the RWC.
The boy just doesn't fully understand fullback play. Surely you must admit he is often lost at sea in the more difficult games. You seem to talk about him as a great - and if you think that, then that is just unbelievable.
Today he just didnt have a particularly good game. There simply is no evidence. His opposite number was as good!
Posted 20:03 14th January 2012
damo says...
unlucky scarlets saints did their usual choked the life out of the game!!!!
glad they are out of ocntention cos I hate watching Englands finest attacking backs in Foden and Ashton doing absolutely nothing but defend, lesser extent Foden he will thrive when ashton moves on Ashton is hopeless, Darren Campbell would do a better job!
Posted 19:56 14th January 2012
lawynd says...
@makemehappy - Kearney isn't even the best full back in his province; not saying he doesn't have talent (and ditto Halfpenny), but Foden is easily as good as either of them offensively (or did you miss his contribution to the Tonga'uhia try and his myriad breaks in the second half?), and far better under the high ball and defensively, too. Three try-saving tackles by one player in a game is a bit good by anyone's standards. Also I never said anything about his international performances, which haven't been bad given the rather awful team, coaching and tactics we've had for the last few years. And yet, he's still got a better head-to-head record than Halfpenny at international level!
Posted 19:44 14th January 2012
NHsaints says...
@makemehappy I call bull, the only bad game I've ever seen foden have was against france in the world cup quarter final...other than that he's been consistently magnificent and if he doesn't get a starting berth for the lions with bowe and north I shall be mortified.
Posted 19:33 14th January 2012
Jediboy says...
Makemehappy - maybe you were watching a different game. He played really well.
Posted 19:27 14th January 2012
Sincero says...
The best full-back in Britain or Ireland is Isa Nacewa by a mile... sadly politics sees Kearney handed back a 15 jersey that Isa had made his own. Well done to Saints, who finally delivered. Great to see them fighting when already eliminated for a spot in the challenge. Comiserations to the Scarlets- much improved this year. Good match.
Posted 19:20 14th January 2012
makemehappy says...
I stated that Lawynd. I didn't think he had a particularly good game. Kearney is the best full back, and Halfpenny would be on the bench for the Lions (covering wing, fullback and kicking duties). You have to be joking that Foden plays consistently well at international level. Very funny joke indeed! I thought Northampton defended superbly. They looked pretty clueless in the backs all day long - Mr Foden included!
Sorry guys - you need to watch more rugby.
Posted 18:54 14th January 2012