Phil Dowson highlighted the intent in Northampton Saints’ second-half reaction that overturned an eight-point deficit to inflict defeat upon Harlequins on Friday evening.
The visitors to cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens were the aggressors in the first period going in at the break 22-14 ahead, placing Saints’ 14-game winning run at home in all competitions – that stretches back nearly a year – under serious threat.
But a ferocious response saw the men in Black, Green and Gold swing the match their way with second-half score from Sam Graham and Ollie Sleightholme and a penalty try awarded by referee Matthew Carley. But when Harlequins hit back with a late Will Porter try seven minutes from time, a grandstand finish was set before a capacity crowd.
“We got over the line in the end,” said Dowson after the 33-29 victory.
“We always say we don’t want it to be a shootout, we don’t want it to be too close and it ends up as a shootout and really close.
“We need to work out why we came out so flat in the first half because that’s clearly a concern. We couldn’t get anything going and they punished us. It’s something we’ll have to really analyse.
“We held them up twice over the line and we were under the pump big time.
“Whenever you’re under big pressure, you give penalties away, and that’s why our discipline was so poor.
“We were sat on our own line and we had to scramble, which showed how much heart there is in the group and how engaged we are, but it also shows we weren't mentally in the right place.”
Phil Dowson
Quins’ Marcus Smith contributed 17 points in addition to Jack Walker’s early score, and while Saints kept themselves in the fight with Sleightholme and Emmanuel Iyogun crossing the line and Fin Smith adding both conversions, Saints still trailed by eight at the interval.
The second half response saw Saints awarded a penalty try, Graham cross for the bonus-point sealer and Sleightholme secure his brace to put Saints 11 points ahead.
“There were a number of guys who really put their hand up to have an impact on the result in that second half.”
Slip 'n Slide 💦
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) October 5, 2024
This was a super sharp combination between @GeorgeFurbank and @olliesleights. pic.twitter.com/ZWYfKnDZNY
With seven minutes remaining though, Dowson’s side conceded a fourth try that closed the gap to four. But there was to be no late heartbreak as Saints secured back-to-back victories heading into Saturday’s East Midlands Derby against Leicester Tigers.
“It is early in the season and we haven’t quite found our stride but one thing I keep saying is about the intent – and it was definitely there in the second half,” added Dowson.
“As long as we’re working incredibly hard we can put it together.
“I was very pleased with the reaction after half-time, and in the first 20 minutes of that second half we were excellent.
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