mens
investec-champions-cup
Northampton finally becoming the first Gallagher Prem team to win Investec Champions Cup this season as they earned a hard-fought 28-12 win over Cardiff.
After seven failed attempts by their English counterparts, champions Prem were pushed hard by the Welsh visitors, who at one point threatened a comeback at the DPD Stadium in Franklin’s Gardens.
It took a vital try from man of the match George Hendy to regain control of the Saints as they restored some pride on what was a difficult weekend for the teams in their league.
Cardiff made a late change at half-time, with South African Johan Mulder coming on for the experienced Aled Davies.
The wet weather immediately ruled out the possibility of 18 tries on this field witnessing Northampton’s 71-48 win Bath last Saturday is repeated.
It wasn’t enough to prevent Saints opening the scoring with a superb breakaway effort after 12 minutes, Hendy making the initial charge before passing to Alex Mitchell on the outside.
The England The scrum-half’s pass back into the field reached James Pater and the 19-year-old full-back did well and Anthony Belleau added the conversion.
The home side had a bit of a day after being awarded a free-kick five yards out and Mitchell quickly found Rory Hutchinson, whose pass was slotted inside by Toby Thame.
Northampton’s captain for the day, Callum Chick, came close to a third try for his side after half an hour when he knocked in the act of stretching for the line.
Cardiff thought they had the first try in the 33rd minute when Tom Manz ran in after a great break from Mason Grady, but a TMO check showed he had fumbled the ball in an attempt to touch it down.
The Saints led 14-0 at half-time, but Cardiff had a try that counted seven minutes after the restart when Harri Millard crashed over from Mulder’s pass after a penalty was awarded and Jarrod Evans added the extras.
After Belleau was fouled for handball near his own line, the visitors moved within two points when a long pass from Evans allowed Grady to slot in for an unconverted try.
Despite having 14 men, Northampton extended their lead when Hendy juggled Fraser Dingwall and almost held onto the rebound for a crucial score.
Cardiff did not go quietly and looked certain to pull within reach again when Josh Adams crashed down the left, but Hendy turned away from the attempted goalscorer and tried to save with a brilliant last-ditch clearance.
Saints finally made sure of victory with a minute to go when the ball was passed to Dingwall, who skated his way through to round off his fine display on the bench.
Northampton Saints: 15 James Pater (Fin Smith 69); 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Toby Thame (Fraser Dingwall 56), 11 George Hendy; 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Alex Mitchell (Archie McParland 56); 1 Danilo Fischetti (Jordan Els 62), 2 Robbie Smith (Curtis Langdon 62), 3 Cleopas Kundiona (Ion Neculai 52), 4 Tom Lockett, 5 JJ van der Mescht (Ed Prowse 52), 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Josh Taylor (Charlie Ulcoq8C Call Chick) (67).
Cardiff Rugby: 15 Matty Young; 14 Mason Grady, 13 Harry Millard (Josh Adams 56), 12 Steff Emanuel, 11 Tom Bowen; 10 Jarrod Evans (Callum Sheedy 64), 9 Johan Mulder (Sion Davies 77); 1 Danny Southworth (Rhys Barratt 56), 2 Dafydd Hughes (c), 3 Sam Wainwright (Joe Cowell 64), 4 Tom Manz (Josh McNally 33), 5 Rory Thornton, 6 Semisi Paea (Lucas de la Rua 64), 7 Tau Dan Lj Faleta Tomas (8E) 56).
