Northampton edged a thrilling encounter against Bath with a 35-34 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive and delivering a vital morale boost. The match, played at Franklin’s Gardens, was decided by a late penalty from fly-half Fin Smith, who showcased his growing maturity and ability under pressure. Despite missing earlier opportunities, Smith’s composure in the final moments proved decisive, sealing a much-needed win for the defending champions.
Northampton started the game with a bang, racing to a 19-0 lead within the first 13 minutes. Their opening try came from George Hendy’s dynamic run and clever offload to Rory Hutchinson, who set up Josh Kemeny to score. Smith orchestrated the second try, gathering his own chip ahead before Fraser Dingwall crossed the line. James Ramm added a third, cutting through the Bath defense with a precise run.
Bath, however, refused to be overwhelmed. Joe Cokanasiga and Orlando Bailey responded with tries, the latter set up by a pinpoint pass from Finn Russell. Northampton replied with a fourth try before halftime, with Hendy collecting Smith’s grubber kick to score. The hosts entered the break with a comfortable lead but faced a rejuvenated Bath side in the second half.
Bath’s powerful bench, featuring a 7-1 split reminiscent of South African tactics, brought fresh energy. Will Stuart powered over for a try, narrowing the gap. Smith extended Northampton’s lead with a penalty, but Bath wrestled back momentum. Max Ojomoh scored after a slick offload from Sam Underhill, and Cokanasiga added his second try following a chargedown by Miles Reid. A missed conversion by Russell kept Bath’s lead slim, setting the stage for a tense finale.
With time running out, Smith missed a penalty but soon made amends, his next effort grazing the post before going over. Bath regained the lead with a penalty from Russell after Alex Mitchell was yellow-carded for a high tackle. However, Northampton had the final say when Smith confidently slotted the decisive penalty in the dying seconds.
The match highlighted contrasting styles: Northampton’s fluid, attacking rugby, characterized by clever kicks and offloads, against Bath’s physical, forward-dominated approach. Injuries to Bath players Guy Pepper and Will Muir disrupted their plans, but their resilience kept the contest alive until the final whistle.
Northampton’s director of rugby, Phil Dowson, acknowledged areas for improvement despite the victory, emphasizing the need for better execution in attack, defense, and set-piece play. Meanwhile, Bath’s coach, Johann van Graan, expressed pride in his team’s effort, noting the fine margins that decided the game.
This contest was a showcase of Premiership rugby at its best, with both sides displaying skill, determination, and flair. For Northampton, the win was crucial in their pursuit of playoff qualification and a successful title defense, while Bath will look to bounce back from their first league defeat in seven matches.
