Young: Saints did the basics better (From Bucks Free Press)

Young: Saints did the basics better

10:00am Saturday 29th September 2012 in Sport By Andy Carswell

DAI Young said Wasps were outgunned by Northampton because their opponents did the basics better than them.

The black and golds saw plenty of the ball, especially in the first half, but their only points came from the boot of Nicky Robinson in the first half.

They failed to break through a well-organised Saints defence and were often pushed back before they had made serious headway into the opposing half.

Director of rugby Young said: “We had a lot of possession but in the wrong areas. We had something like 60 per cent possession in some stages, but it was all pretty much in our half.

“We found it very difficult to break them down, we found it difficult to get any sort of recognisable field position. We had a couple of opportunities which we didn’t take.

“In fairness, I thought in summing up they did the basics far better than us. They were far more patient, far more composed when they got opportunities. They turn on that power valve and came away with stuff.

“We knew coming to Northampton they aren’t unbeaten for no reason – they’re a quality team. They do the basics really well.”

The 24-6 win for Northampton extends their 100 per cent winning run at the start of the season to five matches but Young felt they matched their high flying opponents in several aspects he wasn’t expecting them to.

He said:“Some of the areas we thought we might struggle, where there might be concerns – like the driving line out – I felt we handled really well.

“[We did well at] The scrum, until the second half – I thought we did OK in the first half. In the second half both sides made a couple of changes and they went up to another level and started to get their power game.”

Young was also left to reflect on a broken leg for centre James Bailey, who was led from the field on a stretcher before being taken to hospital with barely a quarter of the match played.

He said: “It was his first touch as well I think, more or less. Upsetting.”

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