Bath move to third with 32-9 win over Northampton Saints

Bath Rugby 32-9 Northampton Saints, Recreation Ground
Scorecard

Freddie Burns kicked 17 points as Bath Rugby extended their winning streak to five across all the competitions following a 32-9 triumph over Northampton Saints in their Aviva Premiership face-off at Recreation Ground on Friday.

The win has taken Bath to the third position in the table while Northampton Saints continue to languish at 10th after suffering their ninth defeat.

Northampton Saints got their first points with back to back penalties from Piers Francis in the first quarter but Bath's response came through three successive penalty kicks from Burns as they claimed a three point lead.

At the stroke of half-time, Matt Banahan capitalised on a fumble by Northampton Saints to score the opening try in the game and Burns' conversion meant, Bath ended the first half with a 16-6 lead.

Fourth penalty from Burns in the 50th minute stretched the home side's lead to 13 points. Francis tried to reduce the arrears with a three-pointer in the 53rd minute but Burns restored the 13-point lead for Bath with his fifth penalty coming four minutes later.

Any chance of a comeback from the Saints were put off after replacement Nick Auterac capitalised on an offload from Burns to score Bath's second try in the 67th minute and Ross Batty followed it with another touchdown nine minutes later to complete a convincing 23 point win for Todd Blackadder's side.