Reihana's double puts Saints through

Northampton 33 Glasgow 23

Bruce Reihana's second try made sure of the bonus point, which earned Northampton a place in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup last night. They demolished Glasgow with a powerful second-half performance, but it was not as easy as the score suggests. The Scots led at the interval and there was a hint of an upset.

Bruce Reihana's second try made sure of the bonus point, which earned Northampton a place in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup last night. They demolished Glasgow with a powerful second-half performance, but it was not as easy as the score suggests. The Scots led at the interval and there was a hint of an upset.

Steve Thompson's throwing, which gives his club so much concern, handed Glasgow an opportunity to make the sort of start that immediately settled nerves and gave Northampton some idea of the task before them. Two line-outs were lost on Thompson's throw, and only some resolute Saints' defending kept the Scots at bay.

The Glasgow back row were making some serious dents in the home midfield, and Jon Petrie in particular was a constant threat. Despite this, Northampton were gradually building momentum. Bruce Reihana almost worked John Rudd across, and three minutes later, Reihana almost got there himself. The Saints' full-back then demonstrated why he is such a special player. Rudd, returning the compliment, set up the position for Reihana to make it. He still had plenty to do, but touched down even with three would-be tacklers hanging about his person. Paul Grayson's conversion attempt hit the left upright.

The Rudd and Reihana show was soon in action again. This time Sean Lamont, who earlier looked wanting for pace added to some ineffective tackling, scooped up the loose ball and hared 70 metres with Reihana in close, though ultimately futile pursuit, for a stunning try, Dan Parks converted to add to two penalties and give Glasgow a 13-5 advantage at the break.

Having lost Kenny Logan to the sin-bin on the stroke of half-time, Glasgow were soon in trouble and Ben Cohen made Saints' numerical advantage count with a storming try. Mark Soden followed him and Saints were well on the way to achieving their objective. Reihana made sure, and Steve Thompson's late score added some gloss.

Northampton Tries: Reihana 2, Cohen, Soden, Thompson. Conversions: Drahm 4. Glasgow Tries: Lamont, Beveridge; Conversions: Parks 2; Penalties: Parks 3.

Northampton: Reihana; Rudd, (Richmond, 78) Cohen, Stcherbina (Vilk, 76), Tucker; Grayson (Drahm, h-t), Howard (Jones, 76); Sturgess (Smith, h-t), Thompson (capt), Morris, Seely, Lord (Browne, h-t), Blowers, Fox, Soden (Krige, 74).

Glasgow: Howarth; Lamont (Millard, 74), Craig (Henderson, 13-24), Morrison (Henderson, 60), Logan; Parks, Beveridge; Tkachuk, Bulloch (Lawson, 60), Kelly (Prescott, 64), Beardshaw (Dearlove, 75), Turner, Mather, Wilson, Petrie (capt) (Beattie, 53).

Referee: N Whitehouse (Wales).