The Northampton Saints were able to end the first block of Gallagher PREM matches unbeaten, as they emerged victorious from their battle against Saracens 43 - 31.
Northampton Saints vs Saracens match report
It was a standout performance from British and Irish Lion Tommy Freeman, who made impact on the pitch from the get-go, storming down the right wing before offloading the ball to Fin Smith, who deftly passed to George Hendy to clock in the Saints first points of the evening.
The Saints were quick to pull ahead, building up a lead of 17 - 0 in the first 30 minutes courtesy of subsequent tries from Tom Pearson and Tommy Freeman.
However, Saracens refused to lay dormant and hit back with two well-oiled tries of their own, as fly-half Fergus Burke crossed the whitewash, before assisting his teammate Jack Bracken to rack in another seven points.
The Saints were dealt a serious blow when Pearson got sent to the sin bin after eight consecutive penalties against them, and Saracens were quick to capitalise on this opportunity, as Juan Martin Gonzalez’s try, coupled with Burke’s conversion, put them ahead 17 - 19 for the first time as half time rolled around.
Saracens were able to keep this momentum going into the start of the second half, as Hugh Tizard barrelled over to increase their lead to 17-26.
Northampton's come back
However, the tides changed once against courtesy of a yellow card, this time against Sarries’ prop Marco Riccioni after a deliberate knock-on.
The Northampton Saints were quick to convert this into another try via Pearson, and they finally reasserted their lead after Freeman scored his second try after a string of penalties allowed him to close in on the opponent’s whitewash.
This lead only extended as Freeman nabbed a hattrick soon after which, coupled with a crucial conversion from Smith, put the score favourably in the Saints corner 38 - 26.
Saracens put on a final valiant effort, as Charlie Bracken masterfully used a penalty to jink through defence and allow Max Malins to touch down.
Despite this, the Northampton Saints’ Lion combination of Freeman and Smith refused to give up their lead, as they ended the game with a great crossfield kick from Smith getting Freeman his fourth try of the match - and secured their bonus point victory.
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