The Saints made a blistering start, scoring three tries within the first 15 minutes. Josh Kemeny opened the scoring with a clever step infield, taking advantage of a tipped pass from Rory Hutchinson. Fraser Dingwall followed up with a second try after a well-executed attacking move that included a chip from Fin Smith and a diagonal pass from Alex Mitchell. James Ramm then extended the lead with a dazzling run from a lineout, putting the Saints ahead by 19 points early on.
Bath responded with resilience, as Joe Cokanasiga and Orlando Bailey each crossed the line to narrow the gap. However, Northampton secured a bonus point before halftime when Smith's deft grubber kick found George Hendy, who spun over the line to make it 26-12 at the break.
The second half saw Bath demonstrate their quality, with Will Stuart scoring their third try from close range. Max Ojomoh capitalized on a defensive error to glide over the line, and Cokanasiga added his second try, giving Bath the lead as Finn Russell's accurate kicking kept them in contention. Despite facing injuries to key players and a yellow card for Alex Mitchell, Northampton displayed remarkable resilience.
As the match approached its conclusion, Bath conceded a penalty at the breakdown, allowing Fin Smith the chance to clinch the victory. The young fly-half maintained his composure, slotting the decisive kick just as the clock turned red, securing a thrilling 35-34 win for the Saints. This victory boosts Northampton's confidence as they look to challenge top teams in the league, while Bath, despite the loss, will need to address their defensive lapses in future matches.
#NorthamptonSaints,#FinSmith,#BathRugby,#RugbyVictory,#CinchStadium