Northampton strengthened their grip on top of the Gallagher Premiership with a thrilling 41-38 victory over Bath in a match that produced 12 tries, six for each side. Fly-half Fin Smith kicked the winning penalty in the final minute after a high tackle was spotted by the television match official.
Match Overview
The scores were level as the clock ticked red, with the crowd breathless after an end-to-end encounter. Smith attempted a drop goal but missed, only for the TMO to penalise Bath's Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi for a high tackle on Henry Pollock. Smith made no mistake with the subsequent penalty, the first penalty goal of the match and the last kick of the game.
Tommy Freeman scored a hat-trick for Northampton, moving to within one try of Ben Cohen on the club's all-time list. His third try, with five minutes remaining, seemed to have won the match after a brilliant move through the outside-centre channel. However, Bath struck back through Kepu Tuipulotu, who drove low around the fringes of a ruck to level the scores once more.
Team Performances
Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson acknowledged the defensive frailties but praised the entertainment value. "Fun is a much-underrated word in rugby," he said. "It's supposed to be fun. It wasn't much fun in the last 10 minutes, but we're capable of things like that."
Bath fielded a second-string side ahead of their Champions Cup semi-final in Bordeaux, yet still matched Northampton try for try. The visitors scored through Louie Hennessey, Arthur Green, Tom Carr-Smith, Tom de Glanville, Archie Griffin, and Tuipulotu.
Key Moments
- Fin Smith opened the scoring for Northampton in the third minute after combining with Fraser Dingwall.
- Bath responded quickly, with Louie Hennessey scoring after Bernard van der Linde's break forced a yellow card for Tom Litchfield.
- Will Muir's yellow card for a deliberate knock-on allowed Freeman to score Northampton's second.
- Ollie Sleightholme crossed for Northampton's third after brilliant handling by the midfielders and George Hendy.
- Hennessey set up a try for Arthur Green, but Freeman's second try gave Northampton a 26-14 lead at half-time.
- Bath scored twice in quick succession in the second half to level at 31-31, before Freeman's hat-trick and Tuipulotu's response set up the dramatic finish.
Playoff Implications
The win opens up a four-point lead for Northampton at the top of the table with four matches remaining. Bath remain second, but the two sides could meet again in the final in June. "That match will be a sell-out if there is any justice," the article notes.
Other Premiership Results
In other matches, Sale Sharks beat Harlequins 52-33, with director of rugby Alex Sanderson fearing Rob du Preez has played his final game for the club after a hamstring injury. Saracens kept their playoff hopes alive with a 19-15 victory over Leicester Tigers, moving within six points of the top four.
