Northampton Saints 38 Worcester Warriors 18: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings
Tom Collins, son of former Cobblers striker Darren Collins, capped an all-action display with a first senior hat-trick, propelling his club to a vital bonus-point victory against Worcester Warriors.
There was nothing Phil Dowson, making his first competitive comeback to the Gardens since leaving last summer, GJ van Velze and another ex-Saint Ryan Lamb could do to stop the talented 21-year-old.
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Hide AdAnd for Saints it was a second successive resounding home victory, following the 35-7 evisceration of London Irish two weeks earlier.
That they scored six tries against a Warriors side who scrapped for their lives and were 15-12 up at half-time was a sign of the ambition in the home ranks.
Rather than risk kicking from the tee in windy conditions, Stephen Myler constantly went for the corner, laying down a marker.
It was like the Saints of old, taking their opposition on from minute one and showing that they were ready to hammer home their superiority.
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Hide AdInitially, it looked like the tactic wouldn’t pay off, with Worcester doing well to constantly shut the door in Northampton faces.
But the ever-lively Collins helped to break the resistance and, on the other wing, Ken Pisi was back to his fleet-footed best having also come into the team for this game.
The sparky Samoan provided the moment of the match with a dazzling run that left Worcester dazed, giving Harry Mallinder the chance to add another try to his tally.
And Collins then helped take the game beyond the Warriors in the second period, scoring twice more, while Lee Dickson and George Pisi also registered in the six-try success.
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Hide AdIt means Saints have now scored 10 tries in their past two home matches, which is three more than they had amassed in their previous seven Gardens outings.
They said that a lack of rain would stop them slipping up at home and they have been proved right in recent weeks.
But there is still plenty of work to be done, with their defence not quite functioning as they would have liked, especially during the first half.
And there is no doubt that as tough as the Warriors were to break down at times, much sterner examinations lie in wait in the next few weeks.
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Hide AdThe next three matches see Saints go to Saracens and Exeter Chiefs either side of a home clash with a Sale Sharks team who scored 36 points against Sarries on Saturday.
So Saints will know they must keep improving and get up a head of steam if they are to make the top four this season.
On Saturday night, they were sitting in the play-off places, but big wins for Wasps and Leicester Tigers on Sunday mean Saints are now fifth, three points off fourth-placed Tigers.
With eight games to go, there is plenty of time to alter the situation and if Saints are to do that they will need all of the attacking intent they showed on Saturday.
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Hide AdCollins and Pisi deserve to keep their places in the coming weeks and could be vital in games where their team are pegged back by strong home sides.
But whatever happens in the next few weeks and months, Saints can draw satisfaction from the fact their future looks bright.
The Academy has become a factory of stars in recent years and Collins and Mallinder are striking examples of that.
Those players not only have quality, but an abundance of character, too.
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Hide AdAnd how those qualities will be needed against table-topping Sarries next Saturday.
How they rated...
BEN FODEN
Showed good awareness to tee Collins up for the wing’s first try and always looked dangerous with ball in hand... 7
KEN PISI
The razor-sharp Samoan produced a stellar display, with his silky run cutting Worcester to shreds for Mallinder’s try. Thought he had one of his own, but it was ruled out... 8
LUTHER BURRELL
The England centre is most certainly back to his best and he continued his fine form with another hugely influential display... 8
HARRY MALLINDER
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Hide AdShowed good speed and balance to score his try and although Worcester took him on defensively a few times, he could be happy with his efforts... 7
TOM COLLINS - CHRON STAR MAN
Looked lively from start to finish, keeping Worcester on their toes with constant bursts which eventually resulted in a superb hat-trick... 9
STEPHEN MYLER
Kept control of the game well and it is vital that Saints keep this man in the side to maintain some consistency... 7
LEE DICKSON
Like Burrell, the scrum-half has been reinvigorated of late and he was impressive again here, etching his name on the scoresheet for the fourth time in three games... 8
ALEX WALLER
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Hide AdCarried really well during the first half and looked strong before being replaced by his brother, Ethan... 7
MIKE HAYWOOD
A typically tenacious display from the tireless hooker, who, like a Duracell Bunny, just keeps going and going... 7
KIERAN BROOKES
A big display from the prop, who has a point to prove after being overlooked by England for the Six Nations so far... 8
JAMES CRAIG
The lofty lock is enjoying a run in the team and he is making the most of his chance, turning in some steady showings... 7
VICTOR MATFIELD
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Hide AdPlayed his first full game in Saints colours and was an important presence at times when direction was needed... 7
JAMIE GIBSON
This man is turning out to be one of the signings of the season in the Premiership. His brilliant break and offload for Collins’ hat-trick score was eye-catching... 8
TOM WOOD
Worked just as hard as ever, scrapping for every ball in a game that required real fight to earn a valuable win... 7
TEIMANA HARRISON
Has not been starting too much in recent weeks, but he stated his case here with a menacing display... 8
Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)
GEORGE PISI (for Mallinder 51)
Came into the game at the right time as Saints were starting to step things up and the Samoan showed good positional sense to grab himself a try... 7