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Phil Dowson reacts to Northampton's demolition of Newcastle
By PA
Northampton head coach Phil Dowson hailed his side’s ruthlessness as they ran in 10 tries in a 66-5 demolition of Newcastle at Kingston Park.
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Two scores apiece from Tom Collins and Alex Mitchell, along with efforts from Juarno Augustus, Paul Hill, Sam Graham, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman, and David Ribbans gave the visitors a crucial bonus-point win in the race for a Gallagher Premiership play-off spot.
And Dowson was effusive in his praise, calling his team “relentless” as they stormed to victory in the north east.
He said: “I thought we were very clinical. Despite the pressure, we executed our game plan which we haven’t been very good at away from home this season.
“I thought we were relentless. We talked about being resilient and so, when (Adam) Radwan scored, I thought there was no panic.
“We showed good composure to get back into the game and take the sting out of them.”
Wing Collins, who is leaving the club in the summer after 10 years, showed his quality with a brace of tries, the second of which was his 50th try in 145 appearances.
Dowson emphasised his intention to support the winger and others leaving the club over the coming weeks.
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He said: “I think, regardless of what happens, we’ll support them and make however long it is as enjoyable as possible and as successful as possible.”
Despite not registering any points, captain Lewis Ludlam was also singled out for praise by the head coach.
He said: “He’s been outstanding and I think he’s been that with England, on and off the field.
“He’s definitely been that in our environment. His leadership has come on leaps and bounds, he keeps improving and wants to get better.
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“He’s got a massive edge. I’ve not got enough good things to say about Lewis at the moment in terms of how he’s managing the group and dealing with things as we move forward.”
Newcastle’s interim head coach Mark Laycock was in reflective mood after the game, admitting his side were not clinical enough.
He said: “(Saints) were the more physical side tonight and that told, especially in the second half once we were down to 14 men.
“I thought our basics in attack were not good enough either. We coughed up the ball a lot and it just gave them opportunities.
“When we look back at the first half, I think we’ve been in their 22 four times and they’ve been in our 22 four times, and the score was 28-5 at half-time, which I think tells the story of us not quite being clinical enough tonight.”
