Bath edge out Northampton Saints in a thrilling 32-30 win

Bath Rugby 32-30 Northampton Saints, Recreation Ground
Scorecard

Fly-half Rhys Priestland kicked a last minute penalty as Bath Rugby sealed a thrilling 32-30 victory over Northampton Saints in their Aviva Premiership encounter at Recreation Ground on Friday.

Number eight Paul Grant opened the account with a 10th minute try for Bath but Northampton bounced back with back-to-back penalties from fly-half Stephen Myler to take a lead of one-point.

In a span of five minutes, Bath amassed two more tries through wing Semesa Rokoduguni while the second being a penalty try awarded. Priestland converted both the tries as Bath stretched their lead to 12 points which came down to nine by half-time after third penalty kick from Myler.

Priestland extended Bath advantage in the second half with a 42nd minute penalty as the lead swelled to 12 points.

Jim Mallinder's men showed a lot of intensity when the game was slipping away from them and it was a 58th minute try from wing Ben Foden that raised their hopes and was followed by a conversion from Myler.

Things started to slip for Bath after replacement Kane Palma-Newport was sin-binned in the 65th minute and Api Ratuniyarawa capitalised on the advantage with another touchdown for the visitors and Myler's conversion brought them to a one-point lead again.

With all to play for in the final 10 minutes, replacement Chris Cook provided relief to Todd Blackadder's men when he danced past the post in the 70th minute and Priestland was once again spot on with the extras.

But, Northampton Saints were in no mood to give up as Jamie Gibson responded back with a touchdown two minutes later and once again they got a one-point lead with Myler's conversion. However, just at the stroke of full-time, indiscipline at the ruck allowed Priestland with an opportunity to score a penalty and he grabbed it without any mistake to secure a two-point win.