Stephen Myler converts deep in the game to earn Saints a 33-33 draw against Gloucester
Last Updated: 07/03/15 7:11pm
Stephen Myler converted a try deep in stoppage time to earn a thrilling 33-33 draw for Northampton against Gloucester.
Samu Manoa was the player who gifted his team the opportunity to earn the draw with a close-range effort from the big No 8, and Myler stepped up to bring to an end a very close affair at Kingsholm.
Gloucester played well in good conditions, and led for much of the match, but the home side were unable to close the game out as the league leaders made a thrilling comeback.
Tries from Charlie Sharples, Richard Hibbard and loosehead prop Dan Murphy as well as 18 points from the boot of Greig Laidlaw gave the home side plenty of points, but they were unable to hold of Saints, who scored twice through full-back Ryan Wilson before Samoa crashed over in the dying minutes. Stephen Myler collected 18 points of his own through his boot, including the last-gasp conversion.
It was a case of Gloucester’s attacking brilliance against Northampton’s seasoned composure as Myler pushed his team ahead 6-0 in the opening exchanges but Laidlaw erased the deficit from the tee as the two teams felt each other out.
The game changed shortly thereafter when Wales international James Hook ghosted through the visiting defence to kick ahead to a covering Charlie Sharples who dotted down for the home team.
With Northampton already flustered from the score, full-back Ryan Wilson was shown a yellow card, and Hibbard crashed over with the extra man advantage telling immediately.
The teams went into the break with Gloucester leading by 14 points.
That was the signal for Northampton, who grew into the game with each play, keeping their composure while chipping away at the Gloucester lead.
Ryan Wilson and Dan Murphy traded tries before Saints staged a comeback by scoring two tries as a helpless Laidlaw could only slot a lone penalty to keep Gloucester in it.
With just one minute left on the clock Manoa squeezed over the line to give Myler a chance to snatch league points which the fly-half responded to with cool composure.
The win had no impact on Northampton who remain on top of the table in the Premiership.
