Beaten Saints still on course for play-offs

SARACENS scored 19 points in eight second-half minutes against Northampton to secure a home Gallagher Premiership play-off — but Chris Boyd’s Saints are still favourites to claim the remaining play-off spot ahead of Gloucester.

Saints looked dead and buried at 42-17 down going into the final 10 minutes, but a brace from replacement Tom James and Matt Proctor’s try with the game’s final play meant they took two losing bonus points.

‘To get a home semi-final is a massive achievement,’ said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall. ‘To score the tries we did was good but to be honest I’m a little bit disappointed with the last 15 minutes. We don’t want to be a team who ship that number of tries late in a game.’

Sarries dominated the first half but still went to the break trailing by a point. Owen Farrell kicked three penalties as the hosts started well.

But with their backs to the wall, Northampton’s defence was immense, even with Alex Coles and Lewis Ludlam both spending 10 minutes in the sin bin. Tommy Freeman’s superb line allowed him to cross for the opening try.

Saracens landed a knockout blow when the game resumed. Nick Tompkins, Alex Lewington and Theo McFarland all crossed in quick succession before Northampton replacement Rory Hutchinson grabbed one back.

Then came the try of the day. McFarland intercepted, raced 60metres and finished acrobatically in the corner. The only shame was he pulled his hamstring doing so. Alex

Goode crossed for Sarries’ fifth, but Northampton refused to go away. James’ double was enhanced by Proctor in a stunning triple salvo.

A win at home to Newcastle a week on Saturday will officially seal a play-off spot.

Director of rugby Boyd said: ‘We showed great grit and resilience to stick in there in the first half. We are just concentrating on Newcastle now but we know the semi-finals won’t be anything like the last 15 minutes. It will be much more of a grind.’