Travis Perkins and Northampton Saints - the foundation of a great rugby union

Northampton Rugby Football Club began life in 1880 and is now one of the giants of English Rugby Union.

Many Home Nation Internationals have donned the green, black and gold shirt of the ‘Saints’, including Billy Weston, Ray Longland and Sir Freddie Blakiston in the 20’s and 30’s; Jeff Butterfield and Dickie Jeeps who both captained England in the 40’s and 50’s, and modern day greats including Tim Rodber, Nick Beal, Matt Dawson and Scotsmen Budge Poutney and Gregor Townsend.

Saints are also home to England's 2003 World Cup heroes Paul Grayson, Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen.

The opening of the new South Stand in November 2005 saw the stadium capacity at Franklin’s Gardens increase to 13,600. It is now recognised as one of the finest Rugby Union stadiums in the UK.

Travis Perkins has been supportive of Northampton Saints for many years. In addition to being the club’s main sponsor since the 2000/01 season, the Travis family have been life-long supporters and were instrumental in the stadium redevelopment.

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NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 81

LAUNCESTON 0

National League 1

Saturday 26 April, 2008 - Franklins Gardens


Record-breaking Ashton the star as Saints sign off in style

Although promotion had been won several weeks ago there was plenty still riding on the final match of the 2007/08 National League One campaign. Saints needed the win for an unprecedented 35-match winning record, Launceston needed points to stay in the division for next season. By full-time however the afternoon had become about one man - Chris Ashton. His six tries set a new all-time record in the National Leagues.

Saints scored 13 tries in all in their 81-0 victory with captain Bruce Reihana crossing four times. Mark Robinson, John Brake and Joe Ansbro all scored. Launceston's valiant efforts were not enough as results elsewhere combined with their defeat at the Gardens to send them into National League Two.

There was a party atmosphere at the sun-drenched Franklin’s Gardens before kick off, and the mood was enlivened even further by the first try in the fifth minute. Dylan Hartley, denied a score by a forward pass a couple of minutes earlier, took advantage of a Launceston knock on to go on a powerful drive. The ball was recycled quickly and Carlos Spencer sent Joe Ansbro through the defence. Bruce Reihana was in support and he unselfishly gave Chris Ashton the scoring pass only a metre from the line.

The skipper was rewarded for his unselfishness five minutes later. Mark Easter had already demonstrated the fragility of the Launceston defence in midfield, and back row partner Darren Fox did the same on the left wing with a superb run. He was hauled down shy of the line but Reihana was there to cross, and his two conversions gave Saints a 14-0 lead.

Launceston, who came into the match needing a win to stay up, were under the cosh for the remainder of the first quarter, and not even a run from prolific wing Matt Jess could relieve the pressure. Nevertheless Saints spurned a couple of chances. Ashton was starved of a second by a forward pass, James Downey’s handling failed him at a crucial moment and a maul got held up five metres short.

The third and fourth tries came in quick succession on the half-hour. The former, a trademark nip over the line by Mark Robinson, followed a passage of play in which Hartley and Matt Lord had both been stopped at the line. Robinson turned creator two minutes later for Ashton, and he was halted by a superb Jon Fabian tackle in his next run three defenders weren’t enough to stop the league’s record try scorer record his sixth hat trick of the season that took the half-time score to Saints 31, Launceston 0.

Ashton’s fourth try came two minutes into the second half. The opening passage of play was rather scrappy with moves meandering right then left. That was until Reihana burst through the line, drew replacement full back Sam Alford and fed the winger for the try. Reihana added the extras for a 38-0 lead.

Saints were now playing some champagne rugby and Robinson, Easter, Lord and Paul Tupai combined to create another chance that a rare Ashton fumble let slip. But he was in the right place at the right time for his fifth try five minutes later. This time it was Downey’s generosity that gave him the try, and although Reihana wasn’t so kind in the 52nd minute a superb flat pass from Spencer put Ashton over for the record-breaking try.

Reihana went over for his hat trick try on the hour, and this gave a suitable break in play for Robinson to be given a standing ovation while being replaced by John Brake. Brake was soon in on the scoring as well before Reihana flew over for his fourth try and sixth conversion that took the lead out to 74-0.

The last 10 minutes saw Tupai and Fox both given standing ovations but no more tries. That was until injury-time, when Joe Ansbro scythed through the cover to score the 179th, and final, try of Saints’ record-breaking National League One season.

Teams:
Northampton Saints – Reihana (capt)(Diggin 70mins); Ashton, Ansbro, Downey, Starling; Spencer (Myler 70mins), Robinson (Brake 57mins); Smith, Hartley (Shields 53mins), Murray (Tonga’uiha 57mins), Lord, Rae, Tupai (Hopley 74mins), Fox (Lewitt 76mins), Easter.

Launceston – Fabian (Alford 40mins); Jess, Westren, Fisher (Scrivener 33mins), Smales; Perry, Turner (Brooking 72mins); Ovens, Clark, Reed (Bolt 61mins), Collier, Pape (Myerscough 49mins), Lord (capt)(Hocking 49mins), Sprangle, Du Plessis.

Scorers:
Northampton Saints – Tries: Ashton (6), Reihana (4), Robinson, Brake, Ansbro; Cons: Reihana (6), Ashton, Myler.

Travis Perkins man of the match:
Chris Ashton

Attendance:
12,659

Referee:
Nick Williams