England winger Tommy Freeman ran in four tries as Northampton Saints fought back to beat Saracens 43-31 in a clash between Gallagher Prem’s top two sides.
The game at the cinch stadium in Franklin Gardens first swung for the hosts when they raced into a 17-0 lead, but 26 unanswered points either side of half-time saw Saracens in the box.
The outcome ultimately went astray with a yellow card for Surrey’s Mark Riccioni as the Saints regained control and moved six points clear at the top of the table ahead of Saturday’s games.
Northampton struck first after eight minutes when Finn Smith’s shot was perfectly hit by George Handy to gather himself and leave, Smith unable to convert the effort on goal.
Smith’s grubbers were causing Saracens all kinds of problems and when Max Mullins couldn’t deal with one such shot down the right, Tom Pearson was on hand to pounce on the loose ball.
Henry Pollock runs wild with the ball in hand
Smith converted to make it 12-0 and Northampton’s dominant position in the first 25 minutes was rounded off when the ball was sent straight to Handy who measured his pass for Freeman to score in the corner.
Saracens grabbed a much-needed try in the 28th minute when Nick Tompkins went through with a clearance before sending Fergus Burke under the post.
Momentum suddenly swung as Sarries pulled a goal back when an excellent flick from Burke down the left wing allowed Jack Bracken to make a direct run-in.
The Saints conceded a series of penalties inside their own 22 and then saw Pearson sent to the sin bin, and the visitors quickly completed the turnaround on the final play of the first half when Juan Martin Gonzalez crossed.
Owen Farrell’s conversion put Saracens 19-17 ahead at half-time and the visitors had a bonus point before Pearson’s return as Hugh Tizzard crashed over after a typically wild carry by Tom Willis.
Saracens’ Jack Bracken scores the second try
Northampton were given a helping hand when Sarries Riccioni were sin-binned for getting in the way of Alex Mitchell’s pass close to their own line.
Almost immediately, Saints cut the deficit to 26-24 when Pearson crossed for his second try of the night, and by the hour mark they were in front as Mitchell’s pass set Freeman up.
Freeman then completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute when a long pass from Rory Hutchinson allowed him to head home for a corner.
Saracens weren’t done yet, as great work from Charlie Bracken at a quick-fire penalty saw Mullins cross.
But victory for Northampton was finally secured with five minutes remaining when Smith’s cross was headed home by Freeman who ran merrily in for his fourth.
The World Cup winners are back
In the first Premiership Women’s Rugby match, the World Cup winners were back in action as Harlequins beat Loughborough Lightning 52-42.
It was a triumphant return to club rugby for Red Roses stars Ellie Kildoon and Lucy Packer in a 14-try thriller.
Their England team-mate Sadia Kabeia made a strong run to score in the second half for Loughborough.
But substitute Hannah Sims stepped in to score the winning try for Harlequins.