Geraghty runs Gloucester ragged

Shane Geraghty helped inspire Northampton to a shock 27-14 triumph at Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership on Saturday.

Saints have a poor record away from home in the competition, but went ahead inside eight minutes when neat interplay between the tight forwards resulted in Soane Tonga'uiha being freed by his fellow prop Santiago Bonorino, and he powered over for a try that Geraghty converted.

A 50-metre Bruce Reihana penalty extended Northampton's lead soon after, but Gloucester struck back through Nicky Robinson's penalty and then a try that owed everything to fit-again juggernaut Lesley Vainikolo.

The former rugby league star, making his first appearance of the season, charged through a retreating Saints midfield, and the supporting Robinson had a simple task of sending flanker Akapusi Qera in at the corner.

A string of penalties thereafter saw Geraghty boot three penalties, while Robinson kicked two - the Welshman also missed three kicks - to take Northampton into half-time leading 19-14.

Fortitude

Northampton emerged from the interval in dominant fashion though and with Geraghty their orchestrator, slashing his way through the home defence, centre Jon Clarke went over for another score.

Trailing by 10 points, Gloucester needed Robinson to find his radar with the boot, but another missed penalty meant the home side remained well adrift.

Reihana compounded Gloucester's woes by striking his second long-range penalty, taking Northampton 27-14 clear and well on their way to an away-day triumph.

Gloucester, invigorated by hooker Oliver Azam's appearance off the bench, went in search of a consolation try and potential losing bonus point, but a crunching tackle by Saints substitute Chris Mayor on Mike Tindall denied them.

The Cherry and Whites continued to batter away, yet it was all to no avail as Saints eased to only their second Premiership away win since February 2007.