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England star's injury mars Northampton derby win over Leicester
By PA
Anthony Belleau scored two tries off the bench as Northampton defeated Leicester 32-26 in a pulsating East Midlands derby in the Gallagher Prem.
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On an afternoon when Northampton welcomed back four British & Irish Lions into their matchday squad, it was the France international in their ranks who settled a contest in which the lead changed hands nine times.
Saints outscored the Tigers by five tries to two, only for their indiscipline to keep their old rivals in touch, but they withstood some late pressure to secure their second straight win.
Leicester were forced into a late change at tighthead as Will Hurd came in for Joe Heyes, with Sweden international Ale Loman stepping up to the bench.
After a penalty from Leicester fly-half Bill Searle opened the scoring, referee Luke Pearce was forced off with injury in the eighth minute, with assistant Alex Thomas taking his place.
Saints then scored the game’s first try after 12 minutes when an awkward bounce deceived Adam Radwan, allowing Alex Mitchell to collect his own kick ahead before passing inside to send Fin Smith under the posts.
The Tigers hit back seven minutes later following a strong break by Emeka Ilione as Jack van Poortvliet passed to Freddie Steward who sliced through a big gap for a score Searle converted.
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In a nip-and-tuck first half Northampton edged in front again when Fraser Dingwall’s long pass found Tom Litchfield, who timed his ball outside to allow Edoardo Todaro to finish in the corner.
Searle’s second penalty looked set to give Leicester a half-time lead but Saints led once more off the final play when Todaro’s pass sent Tom Pearson away to score for a 17-13 advantage at the break.
The lead changed hands yet again following a succession of penalties conceded by the hosts as Tigers lock Harry Wells was able to bundle his way over six minutes into the second half.
But it did not take long for the next twist to arrive as Belleau – not long on for the injured Tommy Freeman – had a try in the left-hand corner from Mitchell’s pass confirmed by the TMO.
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Still neither side could pull away as a third penalty from Searle nudged Leicester 23-22 ahead before Saints had a Dingwall ‘try’ ruled out for a knock-on by Litchfield in the build-up.
They were not to be denied for long, though, as Belleau collected his own chip ahead down the right to score his second – and Northampton’s fifth – try, converted by Smith.
He and Leicester debutant James O’Connor then exchanged penalties as the match remained in the balance right to the end, but it was Saints who held on for bragging rights.