Saints edge out Bath in 9 try thriller

The home crowd at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens were treated to a nine-try spectacle in Round 10 of the Gallagher Premiership, with the home team securing the win.

Straight off the opening whistle, Northampton Saints were first to strike, crossing the line to score the first try, courtesy of Josh Kemeny.

Saints continued to pile on the pressure in the first half, securing the bonus point in the first 40 minutes, thanks to tries from Fraser Dingwall, James Ramm and George Hendy.

Bath fought back with two tries of their own, with Joe Cokanasiga and Orlando Bailey sliding over the line to bring the half-time score to 26-12 in Northampton's favour.

Bath continued their fight back in the second half, despite injuries to Guy Pepper and Will Muir, the latter of which saw Josh Bayliss move to wing for 60 minutes to replace the injured Muir.

Will Stuart crossed the line for Bath's first try of the second half, with the away side showing great composure while going through multiple phases, ending with a pick-and-go from the prop.

A counter attack from Bath in the second half helped the away side take the lead for the first time in today's encounter, courtesy of Miles Reid who charged down a Northampton kick and regathered a loose ball. The versatile back row was able to then offload the ball to a rampaging Cokanasiga, who ran in for his second brace in two consecutive games.

In a dramatic back-and-forth, Smith and Russell then took turns off the boot, slotting penalties for both sides. Ultimately, it was Smith who was able to secure a last-second victory for the home team, with the final kick of the game swinging the game in Northampton's favour.

With the game finishing 35-34 to Northampton, Bath were able to take away a losing bonus point and a try-bonus point in today's encounter with the reigning Premiership Champions.

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SCORES

BATH RUGBY

Tries: Joe Cokanasiga (14, 63), Orlando Bailey (25), Will Stuart (45), Max Ojomoh (54).

Conversions: Finn Russell (26, 46, 55)

Penalties: Finn Russell (76)

Drop goals: N/A

SARACENS

Tries: Josh Kemeny (1), Fraser Dingwall (9), James Ramm (12), George Hendy (28)

Conversions: Fin Smith (1, 13, 29)

Penalties: Fin Smith (49, 71, 80)

Drop goals: N/A

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TEAMS

Northampton Saints starting XV: 1 Tom West, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 5 Alex Coles, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Juarno Augustus, 9 Alex Mitchell,10 Fin Smith, 11 James Ramm, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 13 Fraser Dingwall (c), 14 Tommy Freeman, 15 George Hendy.

Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Luke Green, 19 Tom Lockett, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Angus Scott-Young, 22 Archie McParland, 23 Tom Seabrook.

Bath Rugby starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Ross Molony, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Orlando Bailey.

Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Josh Bayliss, 23 Jaco Coetzee.