SAINTS SHOCK SALE SHARKS AT HOME

CobucReinach produced a Man of the Match performance to help Northampton Saints stun Sale Sharks at home. The victory ensures the Saints are still in the race for a semi final ticket at the Anglo Welsh Cup. The Sharks started well, leading 8-0 but then allowed the Saints to come back from behind to win, with Rafi Tuitavake going over the death to seal the 24-20 victory.

The Saints are now at the top of Pool Three with a round of games left before the knockout stages. Reinach was very instrumental as Ken Pisi and Ben Nutley scored two tries in four minutes in the second half to push them back into the game. The South African scrum half Reinach was impressive as he helped his side regain the lead 14-8.

The second try was a stunner as it was a product of a classic counter attack. Reinach and Tuitavake were at the heart of it as they came from their own 22 to setup Nutley for the try. The major moment in the game was when Northampton had a chance to avoid defeat at the death. They waited patiently instead of panicking. They were careful in attack and waited for the right time to strike and seal victory through Tuitavake.

A low point in the game was the perceived injury to George North. However the interim coach Alan Dickens said the withdrawal just before the start of the game was merely a precautionary measure. He insisted that it had nothing to do with the recent knee issue.

Stephen Myler had to come off at half time. The coach said his was just unfortunate as he had a tight hamstring. He promised further information when medic took at it. Dickens said James Grayson was fantastic when he came on.