CHRIS KEEPS SAINTS ALIVE

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 2, 2008 | by PAUL JONES

NORTHAMPTON 33

LLANELLI 20

GROUP D

CHRIS Ashton's two tries helped send the Saints into the semi- finals of the EDF Energy Cup and knocked out Scarlets.

The Northampton wing twice squeezed in at the right corner as the Welsh region blew a 13-5 lead to lose by four tries to three.

Regan King and Morgan Stoddart crossed early on for the Scarlets.

But Ashton's first try gave Northampton hope and when the wing took advantage of a forward pass to score his second the Saints were level 13-13 at the break.

Stephen Myler's control at fly-half put Saints on the front foot and when Kiwi Bruce Reihana escaped to claim their third try the Scarlets were playing catch-up.

Sean Lamont's try made it 30-13 and although Jonathan Davies pulled a try back for the Scarlets, Myler's three penalties and two conversions proved decisive.

Myler said: "We had a wake-up call early on, but we can be proud of the way we responded."

Scarlets coach Nigel Davies admitted: "Our discipline let us down and our defence was frail. We are hugely disappointed to go out."