MATCH DETAILS Bath (23) 30 Tries: Maddock, Higgins, Bell Cons: Malone 3 Pens: Malone 2 Northampton (6) 12 Cons: Drahm 3 Pen: Drahm

The hosts swept to a 23-6 half-time lead with tries from full-back Joe Maddock and centre Andrew Higgins and Duncan Bell later added a third.

Saints, without the injured Tom Smith, Andrew Blowers and Corne Krige, lacked the cohesion to trouble the Bath pack.

But fly-half Shane Drahm still managed to kick three penalties and a drop-goal for Northampton in a losing effort.

Bath will book a 6 May semi-final clash at Wasps or Leicester if they triumph in their remaining two league games with London Irish and Leeds.

But coach John Connolly will be a bit dismayed that his team failed to convert first-half dominance into a try-scoring bonus point.

It is probably between ourselves, Sale and Saracens for third place Bath coach John Connolly

The second period began in similar fashion to the first, with Northampton enjoying the possession, but doing precious little with it.

Drahm's penalty double in the 61st and 63rd minutes lifted Saints before Bath skipper Steve Borthwick urged his players into a rousing finale.

When former Bath prop Simon Emms was sin-binned for a technical offence, the hosts teed up Bell to score the third and final try in an emphatic victory.

Malone converted to take his personal tally to 15 points.

Afterwards, Bath coach John Connolly said he was happy with the position his team were in.

"We are into third place now, and there is a lot to play for.

It's a very serious situation to be in, and it doesn't get any easier Northampton coach Budge Pountney

"Gloucester and Newcastle have probably dropped out of the race, and it is probably between ourselves, Sale and Saracens for third.

"This side believes it can perform well against anyone, and at this time of year it is important to keep trying to get better".

But Northampton coach Budge Pountney was left ruing another costly defeat for his side.

"It is a very serious situation to be in, and it doesn't get any easier," he said.

"We have got to commit ourselves to the next two games, and it is a case of pulling in the circle slightly tighter.

"We've got a very tough game on Friday, which is our last home game of the season, and then we've got Worcester away, which is a huge match for both sides".

Bath: Maddock, A. Williams, Higgins, Barkley, Daniel, Malone, Walshe, Stevens, Mears, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Lewis, Scaysbrook, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Davis for Maddock (80), Welsh for Higgins (61), Wood for Walshe (61), Barnes for Bell (68), Fidler for Borthwick (75), Delve for Lewis (71). Not Used: Humphreys.

Northampton: Reihana, Rudd, Vilk, Stcherbina, Cohen, Drahm, Howard, Emms, Thompson, Sturgess, Lord, Boome, Beattie, Fox, Seely.
Replacements: Tucker for Vilk (78), Myring for Stcherbina (80), Jones for Howard (49), Soden for Beattie (61), Browne for Seely (75). Not Used: Richmond, Morris.