Ross and Regan punish Saints' sinners

At this time of year, when the title of the competition changes almost every week, it can be the cup that cheers. Certainly that is the case for Leeds, who made it through to the last four of the Powergen Cup days after reaching the same stage of the European Shield.

At this time of year, when the title of the competition changes almost every week, it can be the cup that cheers. Certainly that is the case for Leeds, who made it through to the last four of the Powergen Cup days after reaching the same stage of the European Shield.

Northampton, newly qualified for the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup, are also embroiled in a struggle against relegation, which resumes next weekend with a trip to Sale. But any chance of progressing towards a fourth Powergen final in six years disappeared with two wounding lapses of discipline. Leeds scored 12 points while Northampton's flanker Darren Fox was in the sin-bin around half-time; then, with 71 minutes played and Saints trying to close an eight-point gap, they had their replacement scrum-half, Mark Robinson, sent off for stamping.

In the latter incident, Leeds' hooker Mark Regan landed the wrong side of a ruck, and was probably fair game for a helping of "shoe pie". But Robinson's frustration at Northampton's poor showing was misdirected. He brought his boot down on the side of Regan's jaw and, after consulting his touch judge, England's leading referee, Chris White, brought out the red card. Robinson, a high quality All Black with a short fuse, was banned for three weeks for fighting in a match here against Gloucester last season. Yesterday marked his comeback from a month out with a knee injury. He will almost certainly face a different type of lay-off now.

Regan was ecstatic at the final whistle. "It was absolutely fantastic. To be in the semi-final means a lot to this club and to Yorkshire. I've got a bit of a loose tooth but I'll live to fight another day." It will be a second successive appearance in the last four: Leeds lost heavily to Sale in last year's semi-finals.

Northampton's acting head coach, Budge Pountney, conceded his team had shot themselves in the foot - and then some. "It was a pump-action shot gun," he said, ruefully. "I don't think we turned up in the order to win a game." Still, Northampton had beaten Leeds here in the Premiership three weeks ago and, given a decent return from the line-out, might have done so again. Instead their best bet was the ball-carrying ability of Ben Cohen, continuing his recent run of games at outside-centre. Cohen may have hands that would take a vat of Fairy Liquid to ever be described as soft - but with pace, bulk and the ability to exploit a gap, he could be England coach Andy Robinson's idea of a stopgap against Wales in 13 days' time. Robinson, like his Scotland counterpart Matt Williams, was here to see for himself.

Williams had his eye on, among others, Gavin Kerr at tighthead prop for Leeds. Unusually, Kerr was the only member of the visiting front row union not to claim a try. Resuming the driven line-out tactic in the 38th minute after Fox walked for illegally dropping a maul, Mike Shelley was able to burrow over the line for the first time in four years.

In the opening minute of the second half, Leeds went in again. Cohen found himself behind a ruck in his own 22, misjudged a pass and allowed Alan Dickens to send over the supporting Regan. With Gordon Ross converting Regan's score, that put Leeds 24-6 ahead, although Fox made some amends soon after his return, carrying a tapped penalty up the blindside and prompting Wylie Human's successful kick and chase for Northampton's only try.

At least that raised the excitement level. The first quarter and a bit was a tale of seven shots at the posts - two penalties from three by Shane Drahm for Saints, three out of three plus a drop goal by Ross.

Northampton announced planning permission to add 2,000 seats to their neatly appointed stadium, but they did not need them yesterday. For an "all-pay" occasion, there were more than 4,000 empty places.

As time ticked away, Drahm converted Human's try and added a penalty either side of Robinson's dismissal. But Leeds, not least in keeping all their men on the field, had done enough.

Northampton Saints: B Reihana; W Human, B Cohen, M Stcherbina, M Tucker; S Drahm, J Howard (M Robinson, 39); S Emms, D Richmond (J van Wyk, 65), C Budgen (R Morris, 69), G Seely, D Browne (M Lord, 46), A Blowers (capt), R Beattie, D Fox (M Soden, 57).

Leeds Tykes: T Stimpson; I Balshaw, P Christophers, A Snyman, D Albanese; G Ross, A Dickens; M Shelley, M Regan (R Rawlinson, 76), G Kerr (R Gerber, 61), C Murphy (J Dunbar, 61), T Palmer (capt), S Morgan, C Rigney, R Parks.

Referee: C White (Gloucestershire).