Premiership: Chris Boyd delighted with Northampton’s resilience after win over Harlequins

Chris Boyd was delighted by his Northampton Saints side’s resilience as they dug deep to claim a thrilling 32-31 victory over Harlequins with James Grayson their hero as he kicked a long range penalty in the game’s closing stages.

The win consolidated Northampton‘s position amongst the Premiership‘s frontrunners and they are well set for a play-off spot.

They were made to work hard for the result, however, as they lost four forwards – Juarno Augustus, Conor Carey, Paul Hil and Alex Coles – to injury before half-time.

Saints held a 26-17 lead at the break but Quins came back strongly in the second half and took the lead in the latter stages of the match before Grayson sealed the home side’s win with that 50-metre place-kick in the 77th minute.

In the end, Grayson contributed 12 points courtesy of two penalties and three conversions while Tommy Freeman, Lewis Ludlam, George Furbank and Alex Waller scored Saints’ tries.

Andre Esterhuizen, Huw Jones, Alex Dombrandt and Cadan Murley crossed the whitewash for Harlequins and their other points came via the boot of Marcus Smith, who slotted four conversions and a penalty.

“Because of the injuries, we weren’t able to give any relief to our forwards, who were running on empty in the second half,” said Boyd.

“It was a gutsy effort from the whole team, especially the pack to hang in there and stay connected for long enough to secure the territory to win a couple of penalties at the death.

“Since our win against Wasps, we’ve been playing knockout rugby each week and the group seem to be enjoying it as just one defeat could result in the season being all over.

“It’s always nice to win, but more so against a good side by playing well. We have been chugging along without a really good