 | MATCH SUMMARY Leeds (23) 28
Tries: De Marigny, Snyman, Palmer
Cons: Ross (2)
Pens: Ross (3) Northampton (17) 25
Tries: Spencer, Vilk, Mallon
Cons: Reihana (2)
Pens: Reihana (2) |
Leeds pulled off their first Premiership win of the season after a nail-biting game against Northampton. The Tykes were unable to contain their visitors in the opening exchanges and fell 17-6 behind following tries from both Carlos Spencer and Andy Vilk.
But they hit back and went 23-17 ahead by half-time when Roland de Marigny and Andre Snyman touched down.
They managed only five more points in the second half - a Tom Palmer try - but it was enough for a timely win.
Leeds' cause was helped earlier in the game when Spencer was sin-binned just before half-time.
His temporary departure and a miss by Bruce Reihana, who scored 10 points in the game, enabled the Tykes to put their stamp on proceedings.
The home side produced some scintillating defence, which only cracked twice after the break - first in the 65th minute through a Reihana penalty and secondly when Seamus Mallon grounded a try five minutes later.
But sandwiched between Saints' two scores, Palmer added five points to Leeds' total, which effectively sealed victory.
Leeds director of rugby Phil Davies:
"We can feel proud as we've taken a lot of flak, rightly so, but I think maybe we've taken our first step towards something positive. "Hopefully this will be the turning point in terms of belief.
"We have always had a great belief and hopefully some of the new players will now realise what Leeds is all about."
Northampton director of rugby Budge Pountney:
"When you concede two ridiculous tries, and let people run straight through you, then you don't put yourself in a position to win the game "We were in a precarious position before the game. The Worcester game is a massive game for us now.
"We've got a lot of things to improve. I can't fault the players' effort but at times it was slightly aimless."
Leeds: De Marigny; Snyman, Vickerman, Jones, Doherty; Ross,
Marshall; Lensing, Rawlinson, Gerber; Hooper, Morgan; Dunbar,
Parks, Crane.
Replacements: Palmer for Dunbar (63), Hyde for Parks (63).
Not Used: Cusack, Bulloch, Reid, Kerr, McMillan.
Northampton: Reihana (capt); Rudd, Clarke, Quinlan, Vilk; Spencer, Robinson; Budgen, Richmond, Barnard; Damien Browne, Lord; Fox, Harding, Daniel Browne.
Replacements: Davies for Quinlan (36), Howard for Robinson (46).
Not Used: Hartley, Harbut, Gerard, Lewitt, Mallon.
Sin bin: Spencer (33).
Att: 4,564
Referee: Martin Fox (RFU)
MMIX
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