Tommy Freeman produced an inspirational performance as Northampton Saints enjoyed a rampaging seven-try victory in the sunshine at StoneX Stadium.
The young full back was heavily involved in most of the away side’s decisive attacks as despite being unable to progress from their Premiership Cup pool, Chris Boyd’s men “put everything on the line” for the win.
Defeat for Saracens has ended their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals having now lost two of their three games in the group stage, but Freeman claimed that grabbing the spoils was crucial with Saints preparing for a major push for a Gallagher Premiership play-off place in the final few months of the campaign.
Freeman, 21, said: “There were blood and sweat-splattered shirts, and it certainly wasn’t a case of just going through the motions. We brought the intensity and everyone did their job.
“We are doing well in the Premiership and you want to keep winning and keep up the momentum no matter what the competition.”
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Saints were able to celebrate a first win in the competition thanks to a glut of second-half points. The fly half, James Grayson, began the entertainment, taking a pass in his impressive stride and burst through two attempted tacklers for the opening try.
Sarries’ speedster Rotimi Segun showed his rapid pace by racing over in the left corner. Manu Vunipola made light work of the strong wind with his conversion.
Grayson, who amassed 16 points in total, kicked Saints ahead with a penalty only for the men in black to again respond applying heavy pressure on the Northampton line before hooker Kapeli Pifileti rose from a heap of bodies to claim the try. The Saints wing Tom James darted over in the right corner to reduce the advantage to a single point at the break.
The away side had their noses in front two minutes into the second half when Freeman’s break put Saints on the ascendancy. The ball was swept along the back line and a couple of phases later, replacement prop Ed Prowse ploughed his way over for a try. He was followed over the Sarries line by replacement George Hendy, who raced over from inside his own line having only just entered the contest.
Both sides threw caution to the wind but in the final ten minutes it was the visitors who proved the stronger and more clinical. Replacement centre Brandon Jackson crossed for the hosts and he was followed over by Segun for his second, the wing flying through from inside his own half for a fine try.
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But Saints rallied and eventually raced away with a well-deserved victory courtesy of England centre Piers Francis charging over for a try and then the impressive Hendy, who burst clear to complete his quick brace. Another replacement, England Under-18 star Frankie Sleightholme crossed for the seventh try to complete the victory.
Star Man Grayson (Northampton)
Scorers: Saracens: Tries Segun (8min, 65), Pifileti (29), Jackson (61), Lewis (73), Cons Vunipola 5. Northampton: Tries Grayson (3), James (40), Prowse (42), Hendy (60, 70), Francis (68), Sleightholme (78). Cons Grayson 4. Pen Grayson (22).
Saracens E Obatoyinbo (F Moore 74); B Harris, B Hallett, D Morris (B Jackson 60), R Segun; M Vunipola, R de Haas (S Bryan 72); E Mawi (E Lewis 40), K Pifeleti (S Crean 40), S Wainwright (A Jeffries 50); T McFarland, C Hunter-Hill; O Stonham, J Wray (c) (T Dan 55), A Christie.
Northampton: T Freeman (G Hendy 57); J Gillespie, P Francis (c), J Matavesi (F Sleightholme 73), Tuala; J Grayson, T James (C Tupai 60); N Auterac (D Hobbs-Awoyemi, 40), J Fish (M Haywood 34), K Garside (E Prowse 40); A Moon, L Frost; J Tonks, Newman (G Patten 4) G Irvine.
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Referee Mike Hudson.
Attendance 3,600.
Chiefs stay in hunt for semi-finals
Exeter Chiefs’ 31-29 bonus-point win kept their faint hopes of progressing in the Premiership Rugby Cup alive, after a late turnaround against Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park. Chiefs were 29-19 down with only 15 minutes to play but scored two late tries through Danny Southworth and the impressive hooker Max Norey, who completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute with the winning try.
Cory Teague had opened the scoring in the first half, but scores from Alex Hearle, Tom Howe, Will Chudley and Isaac Miller helped the away side to two bonus points.
Meanwhile, Wasps scored seven tries to beat Sale Sharks 26-41 at the AJ Bell and boost their slim chance of pool progression.
