Hartley happy with derby day win
Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:55
Marching on: Hartley will be hoping the Saints do just that in 2010/11. (c) Getty
Northampton captain Dylan Hartley described the Saints' 27-19 victory over defending Aviva Premiership champions Leicester as the 'perfect start' to the new season.
Despite a desperate day with the boot by Stephen Myler - he missed five penalties - Saints were worthy winners after storming into a 14-0 lead.
And when Jim Mallinder spared Myler any further agony, replacing him with Shane Geraghty in the final quarter, England back Geraghty kicked five points and carved out a try for South African tighthead prop Brian Mujati.
It was a special day for another of Hartley's front row teammates as loosehead Soane Tonga'uiha scored Northampton's first two tries during a sensational start.
England hooker Hartley said: "It's a special achievement, seeing off a pack as powerful as Leicester's, so we are feeling good inside.
"They are a quality side so the victory is excellent. This is the perfect start to the season, a reward for our hard work and a positive attitude. Now it's up to us to build on this."
Northampton Rugby Director Mallinder was delighted with his team's display and reserved special praise for Geraghty and scrumhalf Lee Dickson.
"It was about a good combination of forwards and backs and we ran at their weaknesses, at the heart of them," he said.
"Stephen had an off-day with the boot. Had he kicked his goals we'd have pulled well away from them. But then they had their misses as well."
Mallinder continued: "To see both props scoring tries is very pleasing because we want our props to be good in the tight, but also around the field. You won't get much better than that this season, three tries from two props.
"Shane has that bit of magic, a lad who can come on, create a try and then kick the goals in this level of game. And I believe Lee Dickson is right up there, a very good player, very energetic on and off the field, and he suits our game tremendously since coming down from Newcastle.
"Ben Youngs is a very good scrumhalf, but so is Lee. The England management were here and they'll have seen that for themselves."
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
