Hendy helps Northampton hold off Cardiff for 28-12 Champions Cup win

Northampton Saints defeated Cardiff 28-12 at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, October 18, with George Hendy making decisive contributions in attack and defence. The Northampton Chronicle reported that the winger scored while Saints were down to 14 players, then denied Josh Adams a try before Fraser Dingwall's late score secured the Champions Cup victory.

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James Pater and Toby Thame had given Northampton a 14-0 half-time lead in difficult conditions. According to BBC Sport, Pater finished a supporting run for the opening try and Thame crossed after 20 minutes. Both teams also missed opportunities near the line, with Callum Chick and Cardiff's Tom Manz knocking on as they attempted to score.

Cardiff responded after the interval with tries from Harri Millard and Mason Grady. The second followed Anthony Belleau's yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown, with Jarrod Evans providing the pass for Grady to finish on the right. The visitors had reduced the deficit to 14-12 around the hour mark, putting Northampton's lead under pressure.

Hendy's response prevented Cardiff from capitalising further on their advantage. His try restored breathing room for the hosts even with Belleau still off the field. He then chased down Adams to stop another threatening attack, preserving the lead he had helped extend. The Chronicle identified both interventions as central to Saints' victory, with captain Dingwall subsequently adding the team's fourth try.

BBC Sport reported that Cardiff were returning to the Champions Cup after two seasons in the Challenge Cup. Taulupe Faletau and Adams made their first appearances of the season following injury. Selection was also shaped by Cardiff's five-day turnaround before facing the Sharks, while Northampton made changes ahead of their forthcoming trip to Leicester.

The result ended a winless opening round for the other English participants. AFP reported that Gloucester had drawn with Bordeaux-Begles, while six other English clubs lost before Northampton played. Saints therefore supplied England's sole win from eight matches. They nevertheless finished without a bonus point, having been unable to add the fifth try they needed.