Stephen Myler kicks 20 points as Northampton defeat Saracens
Last Updated: 25/04/15 6:49pm
Northampton booked an Aviva Premiership play-off place after Stephen Myler booted them to a 25-20 victory over title rivals Saracens in Milton Keynes.
Fly-half Myler booted six penalties and converted Samu Manoa's try for a 20-point haul to thwart Saracens, who struck early with two Chris Wyles tries, while Charlie Hodgson kicked two penalties and two conversions.
Saints, who still have bottom club London Welsh to play at home, also remain on course for a home semi-final, and a comeback win from 14-6 adrift said everything about their character.
Saracens did not quite have enough in the tank after their narrow European Champions Cup semi-final loss to Clermont Auvergne last weekend, and they will hope that injuries to back-row forwards Billy Vunipola and Jackson Wray are not long-term after they both went off during the opening 40 minutes.
Sarries flew out of the blocks in front of a stadium:mk record crowd of 27,411, and they stunned Saints with a fifth-minute try after Strettle appeared at first receiver, then moved possession to Hodgson, before centre Marcelo Bosch delivered a scoring pass to Wyles.
Hodgson’s conversion complemented Wyles’ brilliantly-executed score and although Myler kicked two penalties that cut the deficit, Saracens posted a second try after 13 minutes.
Saints panicked in defence, courtesy of a poorly-judged pass by Myler to Christian Day, and after Saracens secured turnover ball, No 8 Vunipola sent Wyles dashing over for his second try, with Hodgson again converting.
Northampton needed a swift response, which arrived when England centre Luther Burrell's sharp break shredded Saracens' defence and Manoa galloped over for a try that Myler converted, making it 14-13.
Let-off
Hodgson and Myler then each missed penalty chances before Saracens blew rugby's equivalent of an open goal.
Vunipola did the hard work, charging down an attempted Myler clearance to give him an open route to the line, but he stumbled after collecting the ball and a knock-on was ruled by referee Greg Garner following consultation with the television match official.
It was a huge let-off for Northampton, but Vunipola's afternoon ended three minutes later when he was forced off with his ankle strapped following a crunching collision with Manoa.
Manoa was penalised for the challenge, and Hodgson gratefully accepted an opportunity from 48 metres, giving Saracens a 17-13 advantage as half-time approached.
But there was further injury trouble for Saracens when Wray, who had replaced Vunipola, appeared to be knocked out following a clash of heads with his team-mate Ernst Joubert. Wray received extensive treatment on the pitch before he was carried off to a rousing reception from both sets of fans, and Saracens preserved their four-point lead at the break.
Saracens appeared for the second period wearing their first-choice black shirts - there was no immediate explanation for the change from white - and Hodgson opened up a seven-point lead through his second successful penalty.
Saracens were reduced to 14 men when Maro Itoje was sin-binned for killing possession, but a magnificent Alex Goode tackle saw him hold Ken Pisi up over the line.
Myler rapidly cut the gap to a point with two penalties in four minutes to set up a pulsating closing quarter, and he kicked another three-point to give Northampton the lead for the first time with 17 minutes remaining.
Saracens’ discipline continued to let them down, and Northampton had the play-offs within their sights when Myler sealed the deal with his fifth successful penalty.
