Bath pile pressure on Saints
By Ben Sullivan
Last Updated: 28/07/24 8:45pm
England lock Danny Grewcock spearheaded Bath to a 22-17 victory over Northampton.
England lock Danny Grewcock spearheaded Bath to a 22-17 victory over Northampton at The Rec, easing the hosts' relegation fears and pushing the Saints deeper into trouble.
Worcester's win at champions Sale on Friday night had increased the pressure on these two sides immediately above the bottom-placed Warriors.
But Northampton did at least have the boost of a late try from former Bath man Robbie Kydd, which secured what could be a crucial bonus point.
A typically powerful drive from Grewcock earned Bath their first points, Northampton conceding a penalty underneath their own sticks and Olly Barkley knocking over the kick.
Bath were dominant in the early stages and after Northampton were once again forced into some illegal defending, Barkley doubled the advantage.
Grewcock could have got on the scoreboard on 16 minutes only for a last-gasp intervention from former All Blacks fly-half Carlos Spencer.
But their defensive efforts took a double toll around the end of the first quarter as first Northampton number eight Christian Labirt was sin-binned and then Grewcock crashed over for the first try after the lock claimed the intial line-out ball.
Bath continued to dominate and got their second try on 36 minutes when full-back Nick Abendanon ran back a poor kick from his own 10 metre line and although Bruce Reihana hauled him down close to the try-line, Bath recycled the ball and Abendanon himself was on hand to score.
Saints had to wait until three minutes into the second half for their first points, winger Matthieu Bourret slotting over a penalty.
Another bristling drive from the Bath forwards earned Barkley his third penalty on 50 minutes but Northampton wasted a chance to get back into the game when Kydd's try-scoring pass to Paul Tupai was ruled forward.
When Barkley increased the lead to 22-3 on the hour mark, the game was as good as over as a contest, although Northampton kept battling for a losing bonus point.
They got their reward on 68 minutes as scrum-half Mark Robinson scored from close range, before Spencer finally showed what he is capable of, creating the space for Kydd to cross three minutes from time.
