Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Gritty Bath make it three wins from three since the restart as Northampton fold again at home

By PA
(Photo by Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images)

Tom de Glanville and Ruaridh McConnochie sealed a third-straight Gallagher Premiership win for Bath since lockdown in a gritty 18-3 win at Northampton Saints. Full-back de Glanville broke the try deadlock just before the hour only to trudge off straight away with a suspected neck injury.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 20-year-old son of former England captain Phil de Glanville copped heavy contact from Saints duo Tommy Freeman and Rory Hutchinson but still delivered a smart finish under pressure.

Courtesy of a dominant scrum and a regimented defensive game, Bath nullified Northampton throughout an often scrappy contest and drew full reward when replacement McConnochie raced in for their second score to seal just their second league win at Franklin’s Gardens in 20 years.

Video Spacer

England forward Courtney Lawes guests on All Access, the RugbyPass interview series hosted by Jim Hamilton

Video Spacer

England forward Courtney Lawes guests on All Access, the RugbyPass interview series hosted by Jim Hamilton

Bath’s third win in a row since the league’s resumption pushed Stuart Hooper’s men up to fourth in the table. Saints, meanwhile, were left to rue a second loss in their three matches since the Premiership’s return, evening out their win-loss ratio to eight apiece.

A turgid first-half’s first meaningful act saw JJ Tonks slip off his tackle on Mercer, flipping the Bath number eight upside down. Tonks walked for the deserved yellow card for his efforts and Bath eventually gained some benefit with Josh Matavesi’s penalty on 20 minutes.

Dan Biggar missed a routine penalty shot just before the half-hour, with Taqele Naiyaravoro brutally swatting Mike Williams aside in the build-up. Wales playmaker Biggar founds his kicking boots to level the scores on 33 minutes, and Josh Matavesi ensured a try-less first-half when hauling down the marauding Naiyaravoro.

ADVERTISEMENT

Saints cranked up the pressure after the break, but still failed to find any momentum amid a gritty Bath defence. Bath’s tight work and especially their scrum kept the visitors in the contest, thwarting the Saints on a number of occasions deep in their own 22.

After weathering that extended storm, Bath pounced on one Saints error, finally opening the try scoring just ahead of the hour. Ahsee Tuala spilled replacement scrum-half Ben Spencer’s bomb and in a flash Bath were in at the corner.

De Glanville latched onto the pass over the top and slid home, with the score given after a television match official (TMO) review. That proved de Glanville’s last act of the night however, as the young full-back was replaced after suffering a suspected neck injury.

Matavesi missed the touchline conversion, but Bath still led 8-3 heading into the last quarter. Bath doubled their try count and killed off the contest shortly afterwards, forcing and then capitalising on another Saints error.

ADVERTISEMENT

This time Saints replacement Sam Matavesi – brother of Bath fly-half Josh – spilled the ball in contact, and McConnochie strolled home. Replacement fly-half Rhys Priestland slotted the conversion, and later added a penalty as Bath turned the screw at the death.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit Louis Rees-Zammit signs for Roc Nation ahead of his Kansas visit
Search