Northampton sink Saracens to extend Premiership lead, Newcastle lose again

Northampton bounced back from a humiliating loss to extend their lead at the top of the English Premiership with a 41-30 win over reigning champions Saracens on Friday.

Last week, when the competition resumed after a two-month break for the Six Nations, the Saints suffered a shock 52-21 defeat by Bristol.

Saracens, by contrast, thrashed London rivals Harlequins 52-7.

Northampton, however, put the Bristol reverse behind them in fine style by running in five tries against Saracens at Franklin's Gardens.

They surged into an early 17-0 lead through early scores from Alex Coles and James Ramm before Saracens hit back to reduce the hosts' advantage to seven points at the break through a try from Theo McFarland.

But Northampton produced a fine second-half display as Ramm, England wing Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme all crossed Saracens' line.

The visitors did see England No 8 Ben Earl go over for a try and two late scores from Alex Lewington meant they left the East Midlands with a bonus point.

Northampton are now seven points clear of second-placed Saracens, with the top four teams at the end of the regular season qualifying for the title-deciding play-offs.

In Friday's other Premiership clash, Newcastle suffered their 14th defeat in as many league fixtures this season, going down 19-13 at home to Leicester despite the Tigers being reduced to 12 men in the closing stages of an extraordinary match that featured more than 15 minutes of additional time.

Brett Connon kicked Newcastle into an early lead before England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet scored on his return for Leicester.

Ben Redshaw crowned an excellent Newcastle back-line move by slicing through the Leicester defence for a well-taken try before the Tigers responded with one of their own from Argentina star Julian Montoya.

Connon's penalty restored the Falcons' narrow lead to the delight of the Kingston Park faithful.

But Ollie Hassell-Collins sped down the left wing for Leicester's third try and the Tigers held on despite late yellow cards for Charlie Clare, Freddie Steward, and James Whitcombe.

The infringements helped extend the game long enough for England full-back Steward, sin-binned in the 84th minute, to return for the final minutes.

Newcastle forced a succession of late scrum penalties inside Leicester's 22 but could not breach the Tigers' defence.