Leicester score four second-half tries to beat Northampton in rain-soaked derby

Leicester Tigers scored four second-half tries to beat Northampton Saints in a rain-soaked derby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, moving into second place in the Prem table. BBC Sport reported that the victory also gave Leicester revenge for their defeat by Saints in last season's playoff semi-finals, with Northampton dropping to fourth.

Watch the highlights:

The opening half offered little indication of the scoring burst to come. Torrential weather disrupted both teams' attempts to establish a rhythm, and James Pater supplied Northampton's only try of the afternoon with an opportunistic early finish. Freddie Steward answered with a long-range penalty for Leicester, leaving the hosts behind at the interval before the contest changed decisively after the restart.

A confrontation shortly before half-time preceded a much stronger Leicester performance. Jamie Blamire scored the first of their four tries after a lineout close to Northampton's line. With members of the backline joining the drive, the home forwards forced their way over and the hooker emerged with the ball to complete the move.

Leicester then built on their scrum advantage to extend their control. Solomone Kata's powerful carrying helped create the platform for another attack, with Gabe Hamer-Webb linking with Cam Henderson down the wing. Henderson finished in the corner, giving the Tigers a second try as Northampton struggled to contain the home side's sustained pressure in difficult conditions.

Finn Carnduff added the third, taking a short pass from Joe Heyes near the line and driving through to score. Steward completed the sequence by stepping past Archie McParland for Leicester's fourth try. That finish secured a try bonus point, turning a match with just one first-half try into a productive afternoon for the hosts despite the downpour.

According to BBC Sport's match report, Northampton's wait for a league victory away to their local rivals now extends to four years. Leicester finished the match second behind Gloucester, while Saints were left fourth after failing to add another try to Pater's early effort. The second-half turnaround delivered both the derby win and the extra bonus point for the Tigers.