Saints fend off fightback

Northampton had to fend off a severely depleted Ospreys side to open their LV= Cup campaign with a 19-17 victory at the Liberty Stadium.

The Saints had held a 13-0 lead after a try from lock James Cannon plus two penalties and a conversion from fly-half Stephen Myler.

But the home side fought back valiantly as scores from hooker Richard Hibbard and replacement Jonathan Spratt, plus seven points from the boot of fly-half Gareth Owen enabled them to go 17-16 ahead.

However, Myler booted another penalty 10 minutes from time to seal the win.

Northampton showed nine changes from the side beaten at Leicester - Ben Foden starting at full-back following his release from the England squad - but the Ospreys were without no fewer than 29 players due to international call-ups and injuries.

The hosts had the first chance to register points in the opening seconds but Owen was off target with his penalty attempt and then missed a longer-range effort in the eighth minute.

Opposite number Myler soon gave the Saints the lead after a strong Jon Clarke carry had forced a penalty.

Saints went further ahead when Foden collected a poor clearance kick before beating Jonny Vaughton and passing inside for lock Cannon to crash over in the corner.

Myler converted for 10-0 before adding his second penalty as the visitors took a stranglehold on the game.

Continuity

Having also been turned over several times in the ruck, the Welsh side finally enjoyed some continuity and a driving maul ended with hooker Hibbard going over.

Owen converted to get the hosts back in the game and their momentum increased as the second half got underway.

Although Myler slotted another penalty, the hosts were now better able to keep ball in hand and only a knock-on by new signing Kristian Phillips prevented him from crossing under the posts.

Northampton then saw prop Jon Vickers sin-binned after several scrum offences and the extra space created saw the Ospreys finally make their pressure pay.

Full-back Nicky Thomas showed good hands to keep the move going with Spratt - who had just replaced Vaughton - crossing for a converted score after Filo Tiatia was stopped just short.

Northampton were rocking at this point and Myler missed a penalty before Owen added a three-pointer to hand the Ospreys the lead for the first time.

But Myler found the target when it mattered and despite some late pressure, the hosts were unable to find a score to claim the win.