Geraghty stars for Saints

Northampton have leapt straight to the top of Pool One of the Heineken Cup after beating Munster 31-27 at Franklin's Gardens.

Both sides were ascendant on more than one occasion during an absorbing match which was as tight as the scoreline suggests.

However, in front of the matching Martin Johnson, the difference proved to be home fly-half Shane Geraghty, who staked his England claim ahead of the autumn internationals.

He had a hand in the Saints' opening score, touched down by Chris Ashton, before the visitors came back courtesy of a try from David Wallace. Geraghty then really turned on the style by scoring one himself before making another for Ashton.

But Munster refused to roll over and came back to within a point after Tomas O'Leary touched down - Geraghty's late penalty and an even later backs-to-the-wall effort securing the points.

Although Ronan O'Gara had the first chance to put points on the board - his penalty attempt disappearing left of the posts after six minutes - it was Northampton who held the early initiative.

Their first try-scoring opportunity came soon enough, with Wallace having to clean up after Geraghty chipped to the left-hand corner. Even so, Saints were awarded a penalty and their number 10 found the target.

Imposing

Saints were certainly imposing themselves physically - Jean De Villiers left seeing stars after being tackled by opposite number James Downey - with second rower Courtney Lawes also imposing himself.

It was working, however, and although Geraghty's second penalty attempt in the 16th minute was missed, he was instrumental in their first try, which came after his chip through - meant for Ben Foden - was instead pounced upon by Ashton.

Geraghty could not convert, with Paul Warwick then showing him how to do it at quarter distance, the full-back scoring a drop goal practically from the halfway line to pull three points back.

They were suddenly level after Keith Earls cut the Saints' defence open in the 25th minute, the left wing embarking on an arcing run to the left flank and drawing men in before chipping forward for Wallace, who fended off Phil Dowson to touch down.

O'Gara could not put them ahead but did so in the 32nd minute after O'Leary earned them a penalty. There then followed a period of tit-for-tat kicking, with two penalties from Geraghty bookending one from his opposite number to make the score 14 points apiece.

Stalemate at half time was avoided thanks to both Warwick, who surrendered possession, and Geraghty, who produced a supreme piece of quick-thinking after Saints were awarded a penalty for hands in.

Rather than take the three points, he caught the opposing defence napping and instead sprinted for the line, jinking past Jerry Flannery and over for the five points - two more soon being added.

Magic

Another piece of magic came five minutes into the second half as Geraghty took advantage of two decoy runs and cut through the opposing defence before passing to Ashton, who crossed again unopposed.

Geraghty converted, although he was unable to counter the three points O'Gara added shortly afterwards with another penalty attempt in the 55th minute.

The home side were dominating as they had done early in the first half and laid siege to the Munster line - but without increasing their lead. O'Gara instead clawed back another three points when they finally reached the Northampton half on the hour.

O'Gara then had the chance to score himself but, running onto a ball played through to the left-hand corner, he misjudged the bounce - to his evident dismay.

The Munstermen were again turning the screw and only had to wait moments for their second try as O'Leary scampered through on the blindside to touch down, with O'Gara converting.

Only one point now separated the sides and Northampton entered the final 10 minutes choosing attack as the best form of defence. Their persistence brought a penalty converted by Geraghty with five minutes remaining.

Nerves became frayed as Munster came forward in the closing moments and past full-time. However, despite their pressure - and the threat of a penalty - the home side's defence held firm.