Match Report: Bath only just edge past Saints

FT Northampton Saints 22 Bath 23

Bath battled back from being behind to beat Northampton at Franklins Gardens

After a cagey opening exchange, Northampton opened up and looked the more threatening of the two sides.

Northemapton were rewarded when Tom James scored after 13 minutes. Francis missed the conversion.

That try gave Northampton some confidence and they put Bath under more pressure before Tom James got his second of the day 5 minutes later. Francis added the conversion.

Bath finally got their hands on the ball and were awarded a penalty, which Rhys Priestland was able to knock over for Bath's first points of the game.

Northampton continued to keep Bath under pressure and made Bath pay for some more poor defending. Tommy Freeman scored a third try for Saints to open a 16 point lead after Franics kicked over the conversion.

Bath had to score next, but time was running out in the first half. They had most of the ball in the last 10 minutes and after being denied a try, they managed to score when Zack Mercer went over on the stroke of half time.

Rhys Priestland went over and in the process, broke the record for most consecutive successful kicks at goal in a row. 27 from 27 kicks.

That gave Bath a life line as they went into halftime trailing by 9 points.

The second half was a rather tight affair. Bath pressed and chased the game, and Saints defended well.

Rhys Priestland added two penalties as Bath started to put Saints under more pressure.

Francis then put Northampton back into the lead with a penalty kick, with just 15 minutes remaining.

Bath are awarded a penalty two minutes later and kick to the corner. Zack Mercer went over for his second try. Priestland knocked over the conversion to give Bath the lead.

With just 10 minutes remaining, Bath defended brilliantly to seal the win and take the points.