BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Solid Saints sink Bath

Northampton 24-3 Bath

Peter Jorgensen scored a brace of tries as Northampton continued their fine start to the season with a comfortable victory at Franklin's Gardens.

The match was as good as over by the half-hour mark as dominant Saints raced into a
19-0 lead with scores from centre Jorgensen (2) and winger Oriol Ripol.

Bath produced a much-improved display after the break but a late try from Ben Cohen gave the home side a bonus point to keep up the pressure at the top of the table.

We lacked direction amongst the backs... we needed Catt or Maggs in there

Michael Foley
Bath coach

Bath skipper Danny Grewcock, whose appeal against a 35-day RFU ban for kicking allowed him to play, failed to make much of an impression.

And Australian lock Mark Connors, who signed for Saints after a summer move to Bath collapsed in acrimonious fashion, showed the visitors what might have been.

Saints raced into an early lead when Ripol touched down and Paul Grayson knocked over the conversion.

Quins off the mark

Former Wallaby Jorgensen scored his first try as he finished off a break from full-back Nick Beal.

Irish referee David McHugh made his comeback
Referee McHugh was making his comeback
And Jorgensen touched down again as Bath finally capitulated in the face of a relentless attack from Saints.

Irish referee David McHugh was making his comeback after having his shoulder dislocated by a South African fan during the Tri-Nations.

And McHugh offered Bath their first points by awarding a penalty which Ollie Barkley knocked over from long range to reduce the deficit to 19-3 at half-time.

Bath began the second half strongly but could not make the breakthrough despite concerted pressure on the Northampton line.

Barkley missed the chance to cut the gap to 13 points when he sliced a penalty to the left of the upright.

And Bath's frustration continued as they were held up just short of the line as they looked to drive over in the corner.

When we came under pressure, we didn't concede a try

Wayne Smith
Northampton head coach

Northampton weathered the storm and went in search of the fourth try they needed to secure a bonus point.

Their cause was helped when Bath had Mike Tindall sent to the sin bin for deliberately knocking on a pass destined for Ripol.

But the numbers were evened up moments later when substitute Robbie Morris was also given 10 minutes for stamping.

Beal narrowly failed to touch down in the corner when sent clear by Jorgensen.

But Ben Cohen made no mistake with just two minutes to go after a quick tapped penalty from the impressive Matt Dawson caught the Bath defence napping.

Northampton: Beal, Ripol, Jorgensen, Leslie, Cohen, Grayson, Dawson, Smith, Thompson, Stewart, Phillips, Connors, Blowers, Pountney, Seely. Replacements: Richmond, Morris, Hunter, Soden, Brooks, Tucker, Sleightholme.

Bath: Barkley, Danielli, Crockett, Tindall, Voyce, Malone, Cooper, Emms, Humphries, Galasso, Beattie, Grewcock, G. Thomas, Lyle, N. Thomas. Replacements: Blake, Mears, Barnes, Thirlby, Scaysbrook, Lloyd, Mallett.

Referee: David McHugh (Ireland).


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