Dan Biggar says Saints must beat Benetton if they have any aspirations of progressing past the pool stages in this season's Champions Cup.

Biggar delivered a man-of-the-match display last Sunday, kicking 20 points to help the black, green and gold beat Lyon 25-14 at Franklin's Gardens.

Saints now face a tough test in Treviso, and Biggar knows how difficult it will be to win at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday afternoon.

"We're fully aware that this week is going to be a huge challenge away from home," Biggar said.

"If we've got any aspirations of getting out of this pool we have to win this week. That's the bottom line.

"It would set us up for games home and away against a powerhouse Leinster side (Saints play Leinster on December 7 and December 14).

"We've got to get through this week and all of a sudden if we could win our home game against Leinster and pick something up over there, we would be in a really good spot."

Benetton showed just how dangerous they can be last weekend as they went toe to toe with Leinster at the RDS Arena.

The Italian outfit eventually lost 33-19 to their Irish opponents, but not before giving them a few scares.

Dean Budd put the finishing touches to a big shove on the back of a lineout during the first period as Benetton showed no fear in Dublin.

And two more tries came after the break for the away side as they pushed Leinster, who reached the final last season and are favourites this time round, all the way.

Benetton have beaten the likes of Scarlets and Edinburgh at Stadio Comunale di Monigo so far this season and their powerful pack is certainly able to land a punch.

And with little time to rest and reflect on last Sunday's win against Lyon, Saints know they will need to step things up even further this weekend.

"It's going to be very difficult," Biggar added.

"It's been stressed early on this week that if we think we can just go there and pick up the points we'll be in for a very rude awakening.

"It's a tough place to play, the crowd get on top of you.

"They've improved hugely over the past three or four years and we're going to have to be even better than we were last weekend if we're going to pick up the win."

Argos has digitised its years of catalogues, dating all the way back to 1974 - how many of these items do you remember?

Fixture: Benetton Rugby v Northampton Saints

Competition: Champions Cup (Pool 1, game two)

Venue: Stadio Comunale di Monigo

Date and kick-off time: Saturday, November 23, 2019, 1pm (GMT)

Television coverage: BT Sport 3

Weather forecast: 13c, showers

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, December 13, 2014: Saints 67 Benetton Rugby Treviso 0 (Champions Cup)

Tom's preview: When Benetton - then known as Treviso - turned up in Northampton five years ago, it felt like they had fielded their local butchers, bakers and candlestick makers.

Because so easily did Saints cut through them in the 67-0 success - Samu Manoa and Ken Pisi both bagged hat-tricks - that you felt sympathy for the Italian outfit.

It was the second time in successive weeks that the black, green and gold had bagged a try bonus point against the same opposition, having scored six times in a 38-15 success at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on the previous Saturday.

And overall the two games lived up to the belief that if you were lucky enough to be drawn alongside an Italian team, you would claim maximum points from the two fixtures.

But much has changed since then.

This Benetton team is much bigger and stronger than ones that have gone before.

They don’t crumble when tries start to flow for the opposition.

And they don’t lack the belief that they can mix it with the big guns.

That was extremely evident last Saturday as the Italian outfit rocked up at Leinster’s RDS Arena and immediately set their stall out.

Benetton continually booted kickable penalties to the corner during the first period, showing a willingness to fight fire with fire in lineout drives close to the Leinster line.

They scored from one of them, through Italy lock Dean Budd, and could have had more first-half points for their efforts had they been slightly more clinical.

Leinster did manage to gain a semblance of control, with Ireland centre Garry Ringrose grabbing a hat-trick, but Benetton bit back and were unfortunate to lose by 14 points in a 33-19 defeat.

Despite the reverse, the message was clear: this team is now far from a pushover.

And Saints, who defeated Lyon 25-14 at Franklin’s Gardens last Sunday, know they must find a way over what will be a big obstacle this weekend.

“They’ve only lost once at home this year and that was against Leinster,” said Saints boss Chris Boyd.

“We went to the Champions Cup launch a couple of weeks ago and a couple of the coaches I spoke to there said ‘don’t go down there with the wrong attitude because they’re tough to play at home’."

Saints have won four of their five matches across the Premiership and Champions Cup this season.

But the one they lost came at Bath, where the home side's desire to scrummage for penalties and put the squeeze on at lineout time left Saints struggling late on.

They could face a very similar scenario this weekend, and it will be up to them to improve their discipline.

They are the second-most penalised side in the Premiership this season - three behind London Irish - and shipped plenty of penalties during the second half against Lyon last Sunday.

More of the same and the door will be open for Benetton to play the way that served them well on a few occasions last weekend.

But if Saints can keep on the right side of the referee and hold on to the ball, they can be a match for any team in Europe, as they showed away to Clermont Auvergne on two occasions last season.

They can make any team look sub-standard if they get the chance to play at the pace they desire.

And although it won't be another 67-0 win this weekend, Saints will still feel that they can get the result they want.

Tom's prediction: This is a really tough game for Saints, and not one they can afford to take lightly. I expect Benetton to have their moments, but if Saints can shift them around and be clinical, they can grab the win. Benetton 21 Saints 28.

Almost three quarters of young people referred to the Northamptonshire Youth Offending service after being up before the courts are under the care of social services.

The stark figure has been revealed by the annual Northamptonshire Youth Justice Plan which says that of the 102 post-court orders given to young offenders in the year to July last year (2018) 74 were given to young people who had a social worker, were under a child protection order, were looked after by the authority or were a care leaver.

The report, which was written by former Director of Children’s Services at Northamptonshire county council Sally Hodges, says: “This clearly showed a disproportionate number of young people with a legal status coming into contact with Northamptonshire Youth Offending Service (NYOS). Those children and young people that were in care or had become care leavers, made up 34.3 per cent of the YOS post court population. However, as concerning and significant was the number of young people who were children in need: these accounted for 28.4% of the NYOS post court population.

“These findings fit with the national picture, that these young people are significantly over-represented within the system. Ensuring that the circumstances leading to coming into the youth justice system are fully explored, and that they are diverted from the formal system wherever appropriate. Whether or not this is possible, a fully collaborative approach across agencies will be required both in delivering interventions and otherwise reducing the potential for them to return.”

Speaking at full council yesterday (Nov 22) shadow cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Jane Birch said more early intervention is needed.

She said: “A really high proportion of care leavers and children in care end up working with the youth service.

“I’ve seen the effects of early intervention. The closure of sure start centres, the way that austerity has closed down the youth services. All this has undermined the scaffolding of support for families and really undermines the resilience families have to help their children to overcome the vulnerabilities that leave them open to exploitation, criminal gangs, and the drug county lines.

“And if we are to reduce the entry and reoffending numbers we have to look very carefully at the number of pupils who are excluded from school, the work of pupil referral units and the number of home schooled and out of school pupils. There are a whole cohort of people who we do not really address in the way we should. They have become the most vulnerable and subject to grooming, child sexual exploitation, involved in crime and reoffending.”

Cllr Richard Auger, who is a former police office, said there needed to be more early intervention as the factors that lead to young people committing crime were well known.

“We need to do more work in preventing them from falling into crime. By working closely with our education partners to try and deal with the young people who have these risk factors so we prevent them coming into the system.

“One of the biggest challenges we have is that once they are committing acts of criminality it is then more difficult to steer them away. There is a chance if we put enough money into the preventative stuff we have a chance to stop this youth crime epidemic we currently have.”

The report looked at the reoffending figures from the 2016/17 cohort and found that six per cent were responsible for 45 per cent of reoffending with 40 per cent of the reoffenders looked-after children.

The overall annual budget of the youth offending service is just under three million, which is made up of contributions from NCC, the NHS, the police and crime commissioner.

Scrum guru Matt Ferguson is steeling Saints for a battle against a Benetton side he believes are 'one of the most improved sides in Europe'.

Ferguson likens the Italians to Bath, who are the only team to beat Saints in the Gallagher Premiership so far this season.

Stuart Hooper's side eventually overpowered Chris Boyd's team in the final half an hour of the game at The Rec earlier this month.

Bath took Saints on in the scrum and at lineout time, forcing Ben Franks and Paul Hill into the sin bin before eventually winning 22-13.

Benetton play a similarly direct brand of rugby, and Ferguson knows just how tough they will be to beat.

"This is probably the most Bath-like team," Ferguson said.

"People talked about the threat Lyon were going to give us but they posed a very different threat to Bath did.

"Looking at Benetton's last game and the way they progressed last season with a Kiwi coach (Kieran Crowley), there was that directness, that physicality, but also that real front-foot style they play.

"Out of all the teams we play, if you were going to compare them to a Premiership team, they're Bath.

"We learned some lessons at Bath in the Premiership and that is a really good sense check for the boys about what we're going to face on Saturday.

"It was hugely frustrating at Bath and it got to a stage where we were trying to fill a hole in a dam and it just kept cracking in various places.

"But you've got to be able to come out of those pressure situations, keep your head and change the perception.

"Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn't.

"We were in exactly the same position here against Lyon with five or six scrums and got away with it.

"We've learned our lessons and we know we're going to face that physicality, momentum, coming round the corner and motivation around set piece this weekend.

"I thought Benetton played really well for large parts of the game against Leinster and going to Leinster is no easy task.

"All these things are really good because it shows this old-school perception about it being routine to win against Italian teams is just old hat now.

"I'd go as far as to say Benetton are one of the most improved teams in Europe over the past three years and because of that, we know this is going to be Champions Cup rugby again at the very highest level.

"I don't think the game against Leinster was Benetton stepping up, it's where they've been in their league over the past few years.

"They've got as many internationals in their squad as we have and Boydy's been really sharp this week, right from the first minute to say we're going to have to be right on our mettle.

"We didn't play as well as we thought we had to when we beat Lyon and we're not going to get that chance too often in the Champions Cup.

"In the past 10 games we've only won both halves of rugby once and that shocked me when he (Boyd) brought that up.

"We only won the first and second half against Tigers in the PRC so if we're going to go to Treviso and win the game, we're going to have to win both halves."

But how can Saints, who also found themselves in hot water close to their own line against Lyon last Sunday, compete if Benetton crank up the heat up front?

"We put ourselves in those positions pretty much every week and we've done sets of eight scrums in a row this week," Ferguson said.

"It's when you rely on your process at the highest level, and not only is it your process but it's the repetition of your process.

"A single scrum is mentally and physically testing on its own but when you have those scenarios where it's a reset or penalty and another scrum, you're doing the same thing straight after.

"We've got a few things in our armoury.

"There were five different offences at Bath and each of those are perceptions of the referee of the actions Bath or Saints are doing.

"But it's been and gone, there are lessons from that and I'm not sure the referee's assessor was always agreeing with the referee."

Dan Biggar displayed nerves of steel as he booted Saints to the most dramatic of wins in Italy on Saturday afternoon.

The fly-half stepped up with the clock having hit 80 and landed a tricky penalty to put the seal on a 35-32 success.

It was an incredible moment at the end of an incredible match at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, where Saints had fallen 25-8 down.

They roared back during the second period, scoring 24 unanswered points before Benetton drew level with nine minutes to go.

It looked like the game would end in a draw when Jamie Gibson delivered a crucial turnover inside his own 22, but Saints still had time to mount one last attack.

And after wing Ratuva Tavuyara was penalised for a deliberate knock-on, Biggar bisected the posts brilliantly to give his side a superb away win.

It means Saints have now collected nine points from their opening two Champions Cup games ahead of a big December double-header against Leinster.

Chris Boyd's side had headed to Italy on the back of a 25-14 win at home to Lyon and Biggar, who notched 20 points in that win, was on target early on against Benetton.

But the hosts were quick to bite back, showing the same ambition they had displayed at Leinster on the previous Saturday, putting a kickable penalty into the corner.

And eventually hooker Hame Faiva forced his way over the line, with Tommaso Allan adding the conversion to make it 7-3 to the hosts.

But Saints issued the response they needed, immediately putting pressure on Benetton and producing a sublime move that ended with Tom Collins scoring in the corner.

Biggar, whose brilliant pass opened the door for the try, was unable to convert from the touchline.

And Benetton were soon back in front as Allan landed his first penalty of the game.

Saints had a real battle on their hands up front and after conceding a penalty at a scrum, they shipped a second try, with Benetton going to the corner and rumbling forward before the ball went wide for Tavuyara to score.

Allan missed the conversion but his side now held a 15-8 lead with another 20 minutes still to go in the first half.

Things soon got worse for Saints as Biggar was sin-binned for a tip tackle, shaking his head in frustration as he left the field.

Benetton almost scored in the corner but Ahsee Tuala and Cobus Reinach combined to stop Monty Ioane at the last.

It wasn't long before Saints were beaten again though as Rory Hutchinson and Reinach missed tackles, allowing Ignacio Brex to sprint through for a score.

Allan converted to make it 22-8 and Saints were all at sea, looking in real trouble.

Biggar returned from the bin, but Benetton soon added another three points to their ever-increasing tally thanks to another Allan penalty.

Saints desperately needed to cut the 17-point gap before the break and Biggar kicked three penalties to the corner in pursuit of a score.

Eventually it came as Reinach showed his trademark awareness to puncture the Benetton resistance, slamming the ball into the ground after scoring to relieve the first-half frustration.

Biggar converted and Benetton flanker Abraham Steyn saw yellow, meaning Saints would play the first 10 minutes of the second half a man up.

And they came out with real purpose, backed by their travelling army of fans, putting pressure on Benetton.

Francois van Wyk made a big burst through the middle, but Saints couldn't take the chance out wide.

Benetton were starting to struggle in the scrum, with Saints producing two huge shoves against the head, the second of which earned a penalty.

And the black, green and gold soon came close to scoring out wide as Collins was stopped in his tracks by two Benetton players.

Steyn returned to the field without his team having conceded a single point in his absence.

But Biggar was able to slot a penalty for Saints soon after, cutting the gap to seven points with 28 minutes to go.

Saints were on the charge again moments later as Collins grabbed the ball out wide, kicked ahead, gathered and got agonisingly close to the line before being stopped.

Ollie Sleightholme looked set to score soon after, but he knocked on with the line in sight.

However, it wasn't long before Sleightholme made up for it as he skated through amid a backdrop of boos as the home fans felt there was obstruction in the build-up.

Biggar kicked the conversion and it was all square at 25-25 with 23 minutes to go.

Both sides were now just one score from the try bonus point and Sleightholme looked to have a chance to score it for Saints but he was pushed out of play in the Benetton 22.

Reinach, Collins and George Furbank were razor-sharp on the counter and after Furbank did brilliantly to spot space, Collins collected the composed pass and sprinted home.

Biggar added the extras and Saints led 32-25 with 14 minutes to go.

But Benetton soon had a big chance to respond, kicking to the corner and rumbling over through hooker Faiva for their own bonus-point score.

Allan converted and it was all square again at 32-32 with nine minutes to go.

Suddenly, Saints were starting to make mistakes again, allowing Benetton to put the squeeze on, and a high tackle from Lewis Bean gave them a big chance.

But Benetton were unable to take it as Jamie Gibson produced a gargantuan turnover, winning his side a penalty inside their own 22.

Saints pushed forward in search of a decisive moment and it came when Tavuyara was deemed to have deliberately knocked on.

Biggar took his time, settled himself and sent the travelling supporters wild as he slotted the kick that made sure of one of the most memorable European wins in Saints' recent history.

Benetton: Hayward; Tavuyara, Brex, Benvenuti, Ioane; Allan (c), Duvenage (Tebaldi 64); Zani (Traore 53), Faiva, Riccioni (Pasquali 62); Herbst, Ruzza; Pettinelli, Steyn, Halafihi.

Saints: Tuala (Furbank 28); Sleightholme, Proctor (Dingwall 71), Hutchinson, Collins; Biggar, Reinach (J Mitchell 73); van Wyk (Waller 62), Haywood (van Vuuren 77), O Franks; Moon, Ratuniyarawa (Bean 71); Gibson, Ludlam (Eadie 75), Harrison (c).

Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

Chris Boyd was in no mood to rejoice after Saints snatched a late win at Benetton, insisting his side must perform much better in future or 'we're going to get pasted'.

Dan Biggar was the match-winner at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday afternoon, landing a dramatic last-gasp penalty to secure a bonus-point 35-32 win for his side.

Saints had fallen 25-8 down during a difficult first half, but Cobus Reinach's try just before the break breathed new life into their bid to claim a second win in as many Champions Cup matches.

And Benetton shipped 24 unanswered points in total before scoring in the final 10 minutes to level it at 32-32.

However, after a deliberate knock-on handed Saints a penalty, Biggar held his nerve to notch it, sparking celebrations among the vocal away support.

But Boyd was not ready to delight in his team's display.

"I don't think either side would sit there and say they played well enough to come away with five points," Boyd said.

"We did well to come back into it and the try before half-time was crucial obviously because going in 25-8 down at half-time might have been a bridge too far.

"We were just so far off our game, despite the fact we talked about how tough it was to play here and how well they've performed here.

"We were just miles off our game, which was really disappointing, and it was probably our worst effort of the year.

"At half-time we talked about the fact that we only had to score twice to get level and we had 40 minutes to do it so there was no rush.

"The positive is that we found a way to win, but we were far from in control.

"We were loose and sloppy - all the things we talk about not being, we were.

"It's the challenge of the human mind. We've had some patches in the past few weeks where we've been clinically really good, but today we were sloppy."

On Biggar's nerveless penalty with the final kick of the game, Boyd said: "He doesn't miss very often at all and in those key situations he's as good as anyone in the world.

"We knew through that phase once Jamie Gibson had got the turnover that if we could get some field position and force an error or find a hole, three points would be enough to win."

Saints have picked up nine points from a possible 10 in this season's Champions Cup ahead of December's double-header against Leinster.

And Boyd added: "If we'd have come here and lost those two or three points may or may not make the difference so you just can't afford to put your destiny into the hands of someone else's decisions.

"We've got to be way better than that because if we play like that, we're going to get pasted."

Earlier this month, a court case of the brutal murder of Reece Ottaway saw five young men go to jail for a combined sentence of over 100 years.

The 23-year-old was stabbed to death in a 'berserk' attack the gang using machetes and knives in a flat in Northampton.

But as part of the sentencing, a report prepared by Northamptonshire Police was read out to show the judge how the savage murder was a chilling example of the scale of knife crime in the county.

The report, prepared by Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Behan, spells out how knife crime has grown to an epidemic in Northamptonshire and is now being tackled as one of the force's top priorities.

The chilling statistics read out in crown court included:

1. There were 888 knife-related offences recorded in Northamptonshire between July 2018 and 2019.

2. In the last 12 months, Northamptonshire Police have had 719 knife-related assaults reported and recorded 464 knife-related robberies.

3. In 2018, Northamptonshire Police convicted 323 people for carrying a knife. This amounts to an increase of 78 per cent over a five-year period - the second-highest increase in the UK.

It comes in the wake of seven murder investigations that were launched in the county since March 2018 that involved knives.

They include the killing of 17-year-old Louis-Ryan Menezes, 23-year-old Reece Ottaway and 34-year-old Daniel Fitzjohn.

The report by DCS Mark Behan reads: "All of [these murders] caused catastrophic and irreparable damage to the lives of those affected, including the families of the victims and perpetrators alike.

"These statistics confirm the scale of the developing culture of carrying and utilising knives as part of criminality. The misery and pain that such offences bring is substantial and long-lasting."

The surge in knife crime in recent years has been linked to the growth of County Lines drug crime.

Northamptonshire Police have launched several campaigns since 2018 to remedy the pandemic. They include a crackdown on drug dealers, knife awareness talks in secondary schools, knife amnesties and the launch of CIRV - the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence, which hopes to rehabilitate gang members.

DCS Behan's report reads: "Our aim is to prevent people carrying knives setting out clearly the impact of carrying one. However, we also make clear the implications of being found in possession of or using a knife to commit an offence will result in serious consequences through the criminal justice system.

"Northamptonshire Police identifies knife crime as a key risk in the county. The force and our partners are tackling an exponential increase in knife-related violence and recorded offences."

Francois van Wyk says Saints 'felt like we lost' after their dramatic 35-32 success at Benetton on Saturday afternoon.

Dan Biggar slotted a penalty with the final kick of the match to earn a crucial Champions Cup away win for Chris Boyd's side.

But there was little celebration in the away dressing room after the game, with some strong words said.

And prop van Wyk, who delivered a powerful showing, said: "In the changing room it felt like we lost.

"We're not happy with the first-half performance.

"Second half we were a little bit better but it wasn't a great performance.

"We kept it in the hands of the ref and then Dan Biggar to get us the win.

"It wasn't a great performance."

Saints were 25-8 down at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, but Cobus Reinach scored just before the break to breathe new life into the team.

They racked up 24 unanswered points before Benetton grabbed their bonus-point try to level things up.

But Biggar had the final say, holding his nerve to land a tricky penalty after Benetton wing Ratuva Tavuyara was penalised for a deliberate knock-on.

"They came at us very hard at the breakdown and we can't afford to rely on the ref with calls like that," van Wyk added.

"We need to take ownership.

"Urgency was a big thing for us and we lacked that in the first half.

"We got the five points and we're still alive in this competition but we need to go back this week and have a look at ourselves because we need to be better."

There was a strange contrast in atmospheres after Saints snatched victory at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday afternoon.

In the bar under the main stand, the sizeable away following sang along to Hallelujah as they celebrated a dramatic late success in an enthralling encounter.

But in the Saints dressing room, situated in a green and blue building behind a hedge at one end of the ground, there was far less rejoicing.

In fact, the Saints coaches and players had a discussion that centred around their disappointment in the performance.

This set of coaches have instilled a performance before results mentality, and after a game in which Saints had fallen 25-8 down during the first half, there was plenty of soul-searching to come.

But the fact Saints were not happy with a scrappy away win in Europe's top tier competition shows how far this club has come during the past 18 months.

And it shows just how far they feel they can still go.

Saints felt like they got out of jail a little on Saturday, having come perilously close to going in at the break a massive 17 points down.

Cobus Reinach scored and then roared as he gave his side renewed hope from the final play of a frustrating first half.

And Saints, having had a measured chat during the interval, emerged with the bit between their teeth, racking up a total of 24 unanswered points before Benetton responded.

It looked like the Italians might even win it late on, but Jamie Gibson came up with a game-saving turnover in his own 22.

And Saints then mounted one final attack, showing their ambition as they refused to kick the ball out to walk away with a draw.

They know they need as many points as they can get with a potentially decisive December double-header against Leinster on the horizon.

And so they kept battling, kept fighting and eventually forced Benetton to make the mistake that would cost the hosts the match.

The penalty, which was in a far from easy position, still had to be kicked.

And it had to be kicked amid a chorus of whistles and boos from the home fans who felt referee Mike Adamson has harshly punished Ratuva Tavuyara for a deliberate knock-on.

Up stepped Dan Biggar and, as he has done so many times during his career, he showed nerves of steel, not only landing the penalty, but placing the ball an equal distance between the posts.

It sent the travelling support into frenzy and the players did at least allow themselves some smiles and hugs when the victory was confirmed.

But they know they will have to be much better against Leinster.

And that was the immediate message after the game, especially with a huge run of games now ahead.

Leicester come to Franklin's Gardens on Saturday before those two gargantuan Leinster battles.

Saints must also go to Sale Sharks and host Gloucester before the year is out.

You don't get many tougher runs than that and Saints know they must be more like their second-half selves if they are to get the wins they want.

Nevertheless, you would have snapped someone's hand off for nine points from a possible 10 on the return to Champions Cup action.

And though Saints have won ugly at times, what matters is that they have won.

It was the perfect spot to relax and recharge our batteries after a week at work, taking in some of our country’s most beautiful views.

The Lake District attracts visitors from across the world, flocking to enjoy its scenery, climbing its peaks and relaxing by its waters.

It’s a place of two extremes – the peace and tranquility of nature and the energy and excitement created by its landscape. It was with this in mind that my wife and I arrived at Lakeside, near the southern tip of Lake Windermere for a weekend of exercise and relaxation, experiencing nature’s elements and our hotel’s luxury.

Lakeside Hotel and Spa is within easy reach of the M6 – just 15 minutes from Kendal and the main routes north, south or across the Pennines.

Originally a 17th Century coaching inn, it now has 75 rooms and suites, two restaurants and a swimming pool and leisure area with jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. 

We stayed in one of the hotel’s suites with lake views and the comfort of a living room, bedroom and en suite facilities.

Following our walk by the lake and a visit to the hotel bar, we dined in the five-star restaurant, choosing from the extensive al la carte menu. I opted for the poached chicken terrine, followed by tender saddleback pork fillet with salt baked celeriac, onion ash and slow-roasted shallot. The knowledgeable and attentive staff advised on our menu and wine list choices using their expertise to ensure a superb evening and pleasant stay. 

A comfortable night’s sleep was followed by our return to the restaurant and a delicious breakfast from a menu including smoked salmon and sirloin steak. I enjoyed a more traditional and locally-sourced start to the day with Cumberland sausage, poached egg and hash browns.

We were then all set up for a day in the Grizedale Forest – a previously unknown area of the Lakes to me, overlooking Coniston Water. We hired electric mountain bikes from the visitor centre and took to the well-marked trails.

As cyclists who both take to the roads on our daily commute to work, this was a completely different experience, powering along the route, easily passing those finding it harder work to climb the hills. 

Once we’d mastered using the various settings on the bikes we decided to cycle down to the water for coffee and cake at Brantwood, the former home of artist and social reformer John Ruskin.

Back on the bikes and on turbo power, we pedalled up the hills into the forest – exploring far more of the area than we would have ever imagined without the aid of electricity.

The visitor centre is also home to a Go Ape treetop rope course, an exhibition area and cafe – where we enjoyed a tasty lunch. We then explored a little more of the surroundings before heading back to our hotel.

And after a day’s cycling in Cumbria’s hills, what better way to relax and unwind than with a soothing massage in Lakeside’s Aveda Spa. It offers a wide selection of treatments – perfect to follow on from trekking, biking or sightseeing.

I opted for the Walker’s Tonic spa treatment – a relaxing foot and leg massage with essential oils. My spa therapist told me how she had moved to the area from London in her teenage years and had never looked back. The peace and tranquility of the area in stark contrast with the capital’s hustle and bustle.

For some teenagers, moving to Cumbria from the excitement of the big smoke would have seemed a step too far. As I relaxed in the Lakeside spa I could understand its lure perfectly.

As well as its hills, lakes and mountains, the area has much more to offer tourists. Cruises on Lake Windermere and trains on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway run from right outside the hotel.

Fifteen minutes’ drive away is Sizergh Castle, a National Trust-run property just outside Kendal. The grade I listed castle is the home of the Strickland family.

Its fascinating history has seen the medieval house, with its 14th century solar tower, extended and transformed. 

We toured the building, learned of some of its inhabitants and climbed to the Elizabethan Inlaid Chamber before exploring the gardens and visiting the gift shop and cafe.

A visit to Sizergh and its estate was the perfect end to a perfect weekend in the Lakes.

Travel facts

Lakeside Hotel & Spa: Double rooms start from £245 for a two-night stay, B&B based on two sharing. The ‘Walker’s Tonic’ spa treatment costs £55 for one hour. 015395 30001, www.lakesidehotel.co.uk.  

Grizedale Mountain Bikes: Hire of hardtail mountain bikes is from £25 for half a day. Electric bikes, gravel bikes, children’s bikes, tag-a-longs and trailers also available. 01229 860335, www.grizedalemountainbikes.co.uk  

Sizergh Castle: The castle is closed during the winter.  The gardens, café and shop are open 10–5pm, seven days a week, all year. Admission is £12 for adults, £6 for children, £30 for a family. 015395 60951, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/Sizergh

Here's how we rated the away side as they snatched a 35-32 victory against Benetton in Treviso...

Chris Boyd knows Leicester Tigers will be 'a completely different kettle of fish' now they have their World Cup stars back.

Tigers travel to Saints this Saturday having won just one of their four Gallagher Premiership matches so far this season.

But they welcomed back the likes of George Ford and Manu Tuilagi as they won their Challenge Cup opener against Pau 41-20.

And Tigers backed that big win up with a 14-11 victory at Cardiff Blues last Saturday.

They will now hope to kick-start their league campaign by beating a Saints team who have won three of their four Premiership matches this season.

And Boyd said: "We started doing our homework on Leicester last week and we felt they played really well against Pau with their England players back.

"It's a completely different kettle of fish and it's going to be a tough game.

"They're struggling for points but they've had half of their team come back and they're all quality players, for sure."

Saints were without several players for their 35-32 win at Benetton last Saturday, with the likes of Courtney Lawes (hamstring) and David Ribbans (back) missing out.

Taqele Naiyaravoro and Tom Wood were among the players rested.

And when asked after the game in Treviso on Saturday about availability for this weekend, Boyd said: "Courtney just tweaked a hamstring on Thursday so he could be available for this weekend.

"I can't really enlighten you on any of the injuries just yet because we haven't had contact while we were here.

"Taqele could have played but from an injury point of view there's no news because we don't know as yet."

Head coach David Ripley says he never fails to get excited ahead of the release of the cricket fixture list - and admits this year is like 'waiting for Christmas' as Northants prepare for their return to the top flight of English cricket.

The ECB unveil the schedule for the summer of 2020 on Tuesday (Nov 26), with the County in Specsavers County Championship Division One for the first time since 2015 following their impressive promotion in September.

It has already been widely publicised how the season will be broken up.

Roughly speaking, seven Championship games will kick things off through April and May, before the Vitality Blast T20 group stages kick in ahead of the staging of the controversial new Hundred competition from mid-July to mid-August.

The 50-over One Day Cup will be played by the counties while the eight new franchises battle it out in The Hundred, before the County Championship returns to wrap things up, along with the One Day and T20 KO stages and finals days through late August and September.

There will be three rounds of Championship cricket squeezed in between the one day competitions between from the beginning of June to August 22.

The season is due to start on April 13 - a week later than in 2019 - while it is scheduled to finish on September 30 - the latest in the game's history.

It is a schedule that has drawn plenty of criticism, with the ECB being accused of sidelining the four-day game as they concentrate on The Hundred, but Ripley believes the early start in particular could be an advantage for his side as they prepare to make the step up in level.

Bowling wise, Northants' are very well stocked in the pace and seam bowling department, with the likes of Ben Sanderson, Brett Hutton, Nathan Buck, overseas player Faheem Ashraf, Blessing Muzarabani and Jack White backed up by all-rounders such as Gareth Berg and Luke Procter.

Sanderson claimed 60 wickets at 19.65 as the County finished runners-up in division two, with Hutton claiming 35 at 20 apiece, while Buck took 22 wickets, Procter 17 and Berg eight at just 19.12 in the three games he played at the end of the campaign following his move from Hampshire.

Ripley said: "I think you might possibly say the seam bowling attack is the strength of our side, and it it will be key keeping people fit.

"But we do have have all-rounders, and we could play Luke and we could play Bergy, so you could have depth there that will allow you to have five seamers on the team-sheet.

"That means nobody is getting hammered in terms of overs bowled and we can look after each other.

"It also means we have a lot of competition with Bucky (Nathan Buck), and we have Brett and Ben who have made that new ball pairing their own.

"Faheem brings something different, but that is obviously seam bowling-led as well as being an all-round package.

"So starting with Championship cricket and getting a run of games when there is maybe a bit of nibble in the wickets would suit us, and the middle of April might be a good time to play Hampshire away when Nathan Lyon's fingers are still a bit cold!

"It is really exciting, and for me, waiting for the fixtures to come out is a bit like a kid waiting for Christmas and it is always the same.

"I have been involved in the sport for nearly 40 years now and I still feel the same about that date when you look at the list to see where you are starting, where you're finishing.

"You know what venues you have to go to, and obviously being in division one makes that all the more exciting this year."

Ripley's mention of Australian spinner Lyon, who has signed on for the summer at Hampshire, is one of the main areas where the head coach believes his players are going to see a major difference next summer.

The County's spin bowling workload is set to be taken on over the summer by the likes of Rob Keogh, Saif Zaib, Josh Cobb and Tom Sole, but it is the batsmen who are going to have to prepare themselves for an upgrade in the quality of slow bowling they will face.

The likes of Lyon, England's Jack Leach at Somerset, South African Simon Harmer at Essex and Jeetan Patel at Warwickshire all offer something different, and Ripley says the step up is a challenge he and his players are looking forward to.

"We have been outlining that it is an opportunity, it is exciting, it's different, and we've not had it for several years now," said the 52-year-old.

"So it will be different to what we have been used to, and what can we do that is going to inspire a little bit extra from us.

"We have talked about spin, and I think that could be important, because there is Harmer, there's Leach, there's Patel, there's Nathan Lyon who has signed at Hampshire, and Qais Ahmad(Afghan spinner) has also signed (Gloucestershire) for the end of the season.

"There is a lot of high quality spin in the division, and I think that was at the fore last season with the success these guys had, and the number of wickets they took.

"So we might well have to prepare a little bit different with that in mind."

Ripley does feel that the season being broken up into clear sections of red and white ball cricket is something that will benefit Northants, particularly the fact the Blast qualifiers are being played all at once.

"I think having T20 cricket in blocks helps us," said the head coach.

"There was that time where it was just spinning along throughout the summer, and I don't think that helped us at all.

"We had a very small staff at the time, and it really killed us getting guys playing a T20 one night and then getting up and starting a Championship game the next day.

"That helped the teams with more depth, there is no doubt about that, so I am pleased with the formats in blocks."

A white 2003 Volkswagen Transporter was stolen from a driveway in Beech Close between 4.30am and 5am on Friday (November 22).

The offenders stole the vehicle, drove it to a field off Wood Burcote Road, took a large quantity of tools and then set it alight.

The van had roof bars and 'Mr Fix It' branding on the side and back.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A woman was sexually assaulted by a man in an alleyway in Daventry last night (Sunday, November 24).

The attacker blocked her path as she walked along an alleyway off Hood Road, in Southbrook, at about 7.15pm.

He then grabbed her arm and touched her chest before walking off towards Admirals Way.

The suspect is described as white, aged about 50, 5ft 7in and of large build. He spoke with an Eastern European accent and wore dark jeans and carried a bag.

Anyone with information about the assault should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Saints' huge clash with Leicester Tigers this Saturday is now officially a sell-out.

More than 15,000 tickets have now been sold as Chris Boyd's men look to defeat their east midlands rivals.

And with hospitality also completely booked up, every seat in the stadium is filled.

Saints are currently second in the Gallagher Premiership standings, only behind Bristol Bears on points difference.

Boyd's team have won three of their four league matches this season, winning both of their home games.

Leicester are currently second bottom, having lost three of their four games, including both of their away encounters.

Saturday's game will kick off at 3pm and fans who have not got a ticket can watch it live on BT Sport.

The 43-year-old will leave the club with immediate effect, with Academy coach Jake Sharp stepping up to become defence coach on an interim basis.

Dickens started life at Franklin's Gardens as a scrum-half, joining the club in April 2008 from Saracens.

He retired from playing in 2010 to take up the position of Saints Academy manager and he was promoted to the first-team coaching squad by Jim Mallinder two years later.

With Dickens as defence coach, Saints reached the Premiership final for the first time in 2013, eventually losing to Leicester Tigers at Twickenham.

But they were back at English rugby HQ a year later, beating Saracens to claim a first Premiership crown, adding to the Challenge Cup title they picked up on the previous weekend.

Dickens also coached the club’s hugely successful Wanderers side to Premiership Rugby A League finals in 2014 and 2016.

And internationally he toured South Africa as defence coach with England Saxons, with the side winning both matches against Springboks A.

The turbulent 2017/18 season saw Dickens step up as Saints’ interim head coach following the departure of Mallinder, and he lead the side away from danger and back up the Premiership table in the second half of the season.

He then returned to his role as defence coach under new director of rugby Chris Boyd.

And Dickens' good work has been recognised once again by the Rugby Football Association, who have moved to put him in charge of the next generation of England stars.

“Dicko has been a constant here at Saints over a long period of time,” said Saints boss Boyd.

“He’s been flexible within the coaching environment, taken on many roles here, and helped the club achieve success on the field.

“Alan has also developed countless individuals at the Gardens and has a great rapport with the players – he’s a fun guy to be around as well as a talented coach, so he’s been great for our environment.

“But this is a great opportunity for him to progress with the RFU, and so he leaves with my best wishes and thanks.”

Alan Dickens is looking forward to a 'special' Franklin's Gardens return after leaving Saints to become England Under-20s head coach.

Dickens will bring his England youngsters to Northampton for the Under-20s Six Nations encounter against their Ireland counterparts on February 21 next year.

It will be an emotional comeback for the 43-year-old, who has this week departed Saints after 11 years at the club as a player and coach.

His final game as defence coach came last Saturday as the black, green and gold bagged a crucial 35-32 Champions Cup win at Benetton.

And Dickens is now looking forward to a fresh challenge as he bids to progress as a coach.

“Northampton Saints has not only been a huge part of my coaching career so far, it’s been a huge part of my life," said former scrum-half Dickens, who joined Saints from Saracens in 2008.

“My dad was from Northampton so as a kid we supported the club together.

"I’ve always had a connection with the town, so first to play for the club and then to coach here has been a privilege – my kids now support Northampton too and were pretty upset to hear I’d be leaving!

“I leave having made some amazing memories – that semi-final against Leicester in 2014 stands out in particular – and learned from some tough experiences.

"Franklin’s Gardens is a fantastic place. I coached a lot of the current first-team squad when they were starting out as teenagers, so I’m extremely proud of their progress.

“I want to thank both Jim Mallinder and Chris Boyd for the opportunities they have given me, but I have been at Northampton for my entire coaching career so far, and to progress I have to go away and develop further.

“I’m already looking forward to coming back to the Gardens in February with England; it’s a proper rugby stadium with supporters who love the game, so that will be a special moment for me.”