6 months ago
30
Gallagher Premiership final
Northampton (15) 25
Tries: Freeman, Sleightholme, Mitchell Pens: Smith Cons: Smith, Furbank Drop-goal: Smith
Bath: (10) 21
Tries: Du Toit, Muir Pens: Russell 3 Cons: Russell
Northampton Saints claimed their first Premiership title since 2014 as they held off a fierce fightback from 14-man Bath to edge to a narrow 25-21 victory at Twickenham.
Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell scored the winning try with seven minutes left on the clock after Bath had come from behind to lead despite seeing prop Beno Obano sent off 21 minutes in.
Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme put Saints in front during the first half but Thomas du Toit and Will Muir brought Bath level before Finn Russell's penalty put them ahead.
However, Northampton's numerical advantage eventually paid off as they turned the table in their favour when it mattered and held on to be crowned champions for the first time in a decade, after finishing top of the regular-season's league table.
Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall, Sleightholme; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Langdon, Davison, Moon, Coles, Lawes (c), Pearson, Augustus.
Replacements: Matavesi, Iyogun, Mills, Mayanavanua, Graham, Ludlam, James, Hendy.
Bath: Gallagher; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Underhill, Barbeary.
Replacements: Annett, Schoeman, Stuart, Stooke, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Reid.
Red card: Beno Obano (21 mins)
Referee: Christophe Ridley
