Northampton 33 Bath 18: Reihana gets his kicks to cash in on Bath's indiscipline
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.What were Bath thinking about? They could and should have won this match by a distance but ended up losing it after having their captain, Isaac Fea'unati, sent to the sin-bin at a crucial time. Their England lock Danny Grewcock was sent to the same place just as the final whistle was about to be blown.
It was not Bath's day at all. From the start they objected to Wayne Barnes's refereeing. Barnes is a bright chap, a London barrister who spends some time in court. While the Bath forwards insisted on falling all over the place when trying to win the ball, he penalised them - giving Bruce Reihana three chances to kick three points, which he took.
Olly Barkley pulled three points back for Bath, but while Fea'unati was off the field, Northampton's prop Tom Smith grabbed a try. The wing Sean Lamont sprinted in for the next, which Reihana converted, and suddenly Saints were leading 21-3.
Andy Higgins scored one for Bath and Barkley converted, as well as kicking a penalty, but Robbie Kydd and Carlos Spencer took Saints to a precious four-try bonus point. Michael Stephenson's late try was all that Bath got by way of consolation.
Northampton: Tries Smith, Lamont, Kydd, Spencer; Conversions Reihana 2; Penalties Reihana 3. Bath: Tries Higgins, Stephenson; Conversion Barkley; Penalties Barkley 2.
Northampton: R Kydd (L Myring, 66); S Lamont, B Reihana (capt), D Quinlan, B Cohen; C Spencer, M Robinson; T Smith, S Thompson (D Richmond, 53), P Barnard (C Budgen, 75), M Lord, C Short (Damien Browne, 75), P Tupai (B Lewitt, 70), D Fox, Daniel Browne (M Easter, 68).
Bath: N Abendanon; A Higgins (M Stephenson, 55), S Berne, O Barkley ( R Davies, 70), J Maddock; C Malone, A Williams (N Walshe, 40); D Barnes (D Flatman, 50), L Mears (R Hawkins, 70), D Bell, R Fidler (J Fa'amatuainu, 70), D Grewcock, P Short, G Delve (C Goodman 15), I Fea'unati (capt).
Referee: W Barnes (Surrey).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments