Why Pat Lam was a 'bit miffed' despite humbling PREM champs

Bristol head coach Pat Lam described his side’s first-half performance as “brilliant” as they racked up 35 unanswered points on their way to a comprehensive 46-12 win over previously-unbeaten Northampton at Ashton Gate.

After Saints wing Edoardo Tordo was red carded for a dangerous tackle in the air in the first minute, Bears blew their visitors away with five first-half tries before Saints became more competitive after the break.

Scrum-half Kieran Marmion touched down twice, while Tom Jordan, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Aidan Boshoff and Luka Ivanishvili also crossed, with Sam Worsley kicking five conversions and two penalties for a match tally of 16 points.

JJ van der Mescht and Tom Litchfield scored Saints’ tries, one of which Fin Smith converted.

Lam said: “I’m really proud of the boys as we fought for everything, with the first half being brilliant.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Bristol

46 - 12

Full-time

Northampton

All Stats and Data

“I’m a bit miffed we didn’t win the second half as we started it badly by conceding two early penalties and that gave them an early opportunity to get on the scoreboard.

“Another penalty against us resulted in another try and they looked on for a bonus point, but we managed the last 20 minutes really well.

“As a result we got the outcome we wanted, five points against the top-of-the-table side and them leaving with nothing.”

Welsh wing Louis Rees-Zammit came on as an early replacement for the injured Jack Bates.

He said: “I’m really enjoying it back in the Premiership and, after some disappointing results last season, we wanted to make Ashton Gate a fortress again.

“After today it’s three from three here. We wanted to use the air more today and we won the aerial battle with our forwards being magnificent.”

Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson was at a loss to explain his side’s performance.

“It was ugly again at Ashton Gate and we’ll need to lick our wounds after that,” he said.

“We seemed very flat and tepid and you’ll get found out against a side like Bristol, who come hard at you.

“We didn’t get the mindset right and we took a hiding today so we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The red card for Tordo was crucial, but Dowson accepted that it was the correct call.

He said: “It was a horrible collision and I’m glad that both players are okay, but there was no malice in it as our player had his eyes on the ball, but he made an error and the referee made the correct call.

“Sometimes these incidents galvanise you, but we seemed to view it as a disappointment and looked a bit forlorn.”