Rugby: Saracens 19-16 Northampton

Saracens overcame Northampton in a gritty match on Saturday, in which defences were on top for much of the encounter. The match, the first club rugby game to be held at Wembley Stadium, drew an impressive crowd of 44,000, and generated a good atmosphere, but the fans were rewarded with a poor quality game.

In the first half, both sides seemed a little overawed by their surroundings, despite the number of international players on both teams, resulting in an-error strewn 40 minutes. Neither set of backs showed much penetration, with too much rugby being played in front of the opposing defences. Both Glen Jackson and Shane Geraghty struggled to kick some simple chances, whilst Jackson saw a ponderous drop-goal attempt charged down. However he eventually found his range and the home side went in 9-3 leaders at half time.

The second half was a livelier affair, and sparked into life within minutes, when Noah Cato’s tackle on Dylan Hartley not only stopped a promising Northampton attack, but also dislodged the ball, enabling the winger to pick up and run in a length of the field try. Moments later the tables were turned, as the visitors put together another attack, with Geraghty involved twice before Phil Dowson put Jon Clarke over in the corner.

A further exchange of penalties, followed by a second of the half for Geraghty saw Northampton draw within three points of Saracens, and the visitors were the ones playing the better rugby in the final quarter, finally getting some momentum and moving the ball downfield, especially with Saracens hooker Schalk Brits in the sin-bin. With minutes to go, Northampton prop Soane Tonga'uiha looked to have stolen a win, powering over the line from close range. However, after a lengthy look at the footage, the television match official ruled that the Tongan had knocked on, and after one last attack fizzled out, Northampton ran out of time.

Northampton will feel that they played the better rugby, but neither side played anywhere close to their best. Had the otherwise lively Geraghty kicked more accurately it might have been a different story, but Saracens will feel content to have come away with the points in front of such a large crowd. However, any new fans in attendance are unlikely to have been impressed by the standard of the rugby on offer.