Lamb kicks Glaws to defeat

It had to be Ryan Lamb, didn't it? The former Gloucester favourite's late penalty on his debut for Northampton consigned his old club to a 26-24 defeat on the opening weekend of the new Premiership season.

It had looked as if Glaws had made a winning comeback after theu turned a 23-13 deficit into a 24-23 lead four minutes from time, courtesy of a drop goal from Freddie Burns.

But Lamb broke Glaws hearts with his late kick, though coach Bryan Redpath wasn’t happy with the decision that gave him his chance.

He told the BBC: "It looked as if Will James had conceded a penalty at the breakdown to give Lamb his penalty chance. But, from where I was sitting, a Northampton player came in from the side first and the penalty should have been to us.

"However, I was also frustrated that we were five per cent below our execution in the first half and that we were not switched on when Roberts took the tap for his try.

"But I am delighted by the fact we showed the character to come back after seeing Alex Brown forced off just two minutes after half-time then falling 10 points behind.

"Last season we won here by two points, this time we lose by two. Both were fine games between teams who want to play rugby."

You don’t get many points for playing in a fine game, though (Glaws got one this time). Our bet is that Redpath would probably have preferred to win a rubbish game by one point.

Saints scored first-half tries though Phil Dowson and Martin Roberts, Jonny May charging down to touch down for Glaws. But while Tim Taylor converted that and kicked two penalties, Stephen Myler converted both home tries and added three penalties.

But in the fightback, Charlie Sharples scored a try and Burns kicked a penalty as well as what he hoped would be the match-winning drop before Lamb struck the killer blow.

There was good and bad for Glaws in this game – they fought back well, but should never have been in the position to need it. Many a team will lose more heavily at Franklin’s Garden this season, but Glaws know they might even have won there.

It's early days, oif course, but Worcester’s visit to Kingsholm next weekend MUST be won.