Tigers demolished by Saints fireworks

NORTH AMPTON stormed to success on the back of a giddy second half for a memorable triumph over their arch-rivals. 

- ROB WILDMAN

Victory by five tries to two maintained Saints’ lead at the top of the Premiership and vindicated Phil Dowson’s decision to rotate his squad.

Even without their talisman in the rested Courtney Lawes, Saints simply had too much pace and wizardry after Leicester had led 10-6 at half-time.

They scored all their five tries in the half and topped off the fireworks by Fin Smith, who was a second-half substitute, landing a drop goal from 30m.

Leicester looked shattered after a punishing spell which included a red card for centre Solomone Kata for a head-high challenge on Fraser Dingwall just after the hour mark.

The decision accelerated the dominance of Northampton who scored 22 unanswered points after leading 18-17 when Kata was sent off.