But I was concerned when I saw the Ospreys' line up and even in the opening moments I felt slight unease. The Welsh had come to win – they weren't going to let this opportunity slip. The losers would face a mammoth mountain to climb in Pool One with such strong contenders as Leinster and Castres.
Northampton had a point to prove and in the first minute a penalty was awarded against the Ospreys enabling Stephen Myler to take the score to 3-0. The Saints seemed in control of the game play and were marking their territory. The forwards worked hard through phases and on the attack, they edged to the try line with constant pressure on the Welsh defence, eventually forcing a scrum, five metres out.
Saints dominated and it was Samu Manoa who broke through the defence and flew across the try line at ease in the 12th minute. Myler converted, taking Saints to an early 10-0 lead. But then Saints lost their composure and were penalised twice in quick succession in the 18th and 21st minutes. Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar kicked both penalties, taking the score to 10-6. The difference was marginal. It felt like all the hard work Saints had put in was going to waste. It couldn't have been more frustrating.
The Saints determination however, wasn't to be underestimated. Quick ball and a massive overlap enabled the forwards to battle through the Ospreys' defence once again. It was Christian Day who crossed the try line in the 26th minute and Franklin's Gardens erupted. Myler's conversion took the score to a less than comfortable 17-6 at half time.
Saints dominated and it was Samu Manoa who broke through the defence and flew across the try line at ease in the 12th minute. Myler converted, taking Saints to an early 10-0 lead. But then Saints lost their composure and were penalised twice in quick succession in the 18th and 21st minutes. Ospreys fly-half Dan Biggar kicked both penalties, taking the score to 10-6. The difference was marginal. It felt like all the hard work Saints had put in was going to waste. It couldn't have been more frustrating.
The Saints determination however, wasn't to be underestimated. Quick ball and a massive overlap enabled the forwards to battle through the Ospreys' defence once again. It was Christian Day who crossed the try line in the 26th minute and Franklin's Gardens erupted. Myler's conversion took the score to a less than comfortable 17-6 at half time.
It was only four minutes into the second half and the Saints found themselves in danger in their own 22. Where was the sense of urgency? Nowhere to be seen as the defence were caught out, enabling Dan Biggar to score both the try and conversion to close the gap, 17-13.
Ospreys had come out with determination to turn things round and even though
George North was making considerable ground and Courtney Lawes was causing destruction with his hits, Northampton were lacking something. I couldn't put my finger on it.
Granted, Ben Foden's try in the 56th minute was set up fantastically, but Northampton easily could have offered a lot more. Even with Myler converting to take the score to 24-13, there was a high percentage of missed tackles and Ospreys were always looking to close the gap. Northampton couldn't afford to take their foot off the gas. But once again, silly mistakes were costing and a penalty was awarded against them with 18 minutes to go. Biggar kicked the points and yet again the home crowd were getting nervous with the score at 24-16.
Replacing Lee Dickson in the 63rd minute with Kahn Fotuali'i didn't help. The game play slowed right down and prevented the back line from making ground. And then I saw it, flat lines on the attack. The structure of the game had changed. Northampton were repeatedly driven back by a solid Welsh defence, as they failed to hit the ball with pace.
Replacing Lee Dickson in the 63rd minute with Kahn Fotuali'i didn't help. The game play slowed right down and prevented the back line from making ground. And then I saw it, flat lines on the attack. The structure of the game had changed. Northampton were repeatedly driven back by a solid Welsh defence, as they failed to hit the ball with pace.
To the relief of the Franklin's Gardens faithful, Saints managed to hold off the Ospreys and when they were caught offside, Myler converted the penalty in the 69th minute, taking the full time score to 27-16.
The win moves Northampton up to second in the table, with the crucial game against Leinster to come in December. But it's back to Premiership action before then - and with Burrell and Foden released from England Camp, Northampton now need to compose themselves for what could be the biggest game of the season so far. It's first against second. Can Saints be the team to break Saracens unbeaten record?