Northampton (24) 30
Tries: Geraghty, Clarke 2, Ashton Cons: Geraghty 2 Pens: Geraghty, Reihana
Leeds (10) 10
Tries: Thomas Cons: Paul Pens: Thomas

Ben Foden takes the ball on against Leeds on Saturday

Northampton racked up a bonus point by half-time against Leeds as they made it three wins out of four to go top of the Guinness Premiership on Saturday.

Leeds took an early lead through a Ceiron Thomas penalty, but Saints went in front through a Shane Geraghty try.

Jon Clarke grabbed a quick double and Chris Ashton also went over as Saints crossed three times in five minutes.

Leeds hit back with a converted Thomas try but penalties from Geraghty and Bruce Reihana saw Saints cruise home.

Their bonus point for scoring four tries means they are two points clear at the top of the table, although the top three at the start of the day - Wasps, Saracens and London Irish - are all in action on Sunday, while Leicester play Bath later on Saturday.

Geraghty, who looks in pole position to start at inside centre for England in the autumn internationals in the absence of the injured Riki Flutey, was the star turn at Franklin's Gardens in his usual position of fly-half.

Leeds went into the game on the back of shipping a half-century of points at home to London Irish last weekend but they showed no sign of being cowed when the opening whistle went at Franklin's Gardens.

They tore into Northampton from the kick-off and took the lead after just 35 seconds as Thomas slotted a penalty.

Northampton were frustrated by gritty defence from Leeds and it took them 19 minutes to find their rhythm but once Geraghty scooted over on the right following some sustained pressure the Saints - with their vociferous fans in full voice - were on the march.

The England prospect's conversion hit the post but three missed kicks did nothing to help Leeds' cause and after Henry Paul missed the third of those chances the Saints went straight down the other end and Geraghty stabbed a kick through for Clarke to score.

Two minutes later Clarke grabbed his second when he claimed Geraghty's kick to the corner and Ashton finished off a sweet team move only three minutes after that to secure the bonus point, with Geraghty converting two of the tries to make it 24-3.

Thomas crossed under the sticks just before half-time and Paul converted to make it 24-10 to give Leeds a glimmer of hope.

After the break the visitors enjoyed some good spells of possession but they lacked the cutting edge to break down the Northampton defence.

Geraghty landed a penalty just before the hour to extend Northampton's lead before Reihana banged one over from distance and although they could not add to their four-try haul, Saints ran out easy winners.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder:

"Two of the tries were straight off the training ground and the other two were a case of turning balls over and having good players making good decisions.

"We've won, we've got the bonus point - we are happy."

Mallinder on Shane Geraghty:

"He is playing well for us - we are really pleased he is playing for us and nowhere else.

"I thought today he was outstanding at recognising opportunities and where space was.

"He is playing for us at 10 - I don't know if that is where (England boss) Martin Johnson is thinking of, although I guess the slot outside is where they are thinking about.

"It depends how they want to play. But he has shown he has the versatility to do both.

"With Jonny Wilkinson's structure and the way he can play and run the game, I think to have Shane outside him would be a good partnership."

Leeds coach Neil Back:

"The guys are bitterly disappointed. But when you give a side with Northampton's pedigree 19 points in five minutes, it's a tough challenge.

"I was very pleased with the way Leeds performed in the second half. They didn't let their heads drop.

"The players have tremendous belief in what we are trying to do, and the win will come."

Northampton: Foden; Ashton, Clarke, Mayor, Reihana; Geraghty, Dickson; Tonga'uiha, Sharman, Gonzalez Bonorino, Lawes, Kruger, Dowson, S Gray, Wilson.
Replacements: Ansbro for Clarke (40), Everitt for Geraghty (69), Dickens for Dickson (63), Dreyer for Tonga'uiha (63), Cairns for Sharman (63), Mujati for Gonzalez Bonorino (46), Fernandez Lobbe for Lawes (57), Best for Dowson (57).

Leeds: Goodridge; Welding, Hepworth, H Paul, Armstrong; Thomas, Gomarsall; Hardy, Nilsen, Gomez, Lund, Pendlebury, Denton, Fourie, Oakley.
Replacements: Wackett for Armstrong (75), Burrell for Thomas (57), Mathie for Gomarsall (57), Moreno for Hardy (75), Ma'asi for Nilsen (52), McGee for Gomez (66), Clark for Fourie (64), To'oala for Oakley (52).

Att: 12,441

Ref: S Davey (RFU).

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