Six-try Northampton Saints overcome Bristol with 40-45 win

Bristol Rugby 40-45 Northampton Saints, Ashton Gate
Scorecard

Northampton Saints went on to claim their first away win in the ongoing season of the Gallagher Premiership as they managed to overcome Bristol 40-45 at Ashton Gate.

The win which is second for the Saints in five games has taken them to the seventh place in the table while Bristol are at eight.

This was also the first time Bristol have lost a home game this season. It was Northampton Saints, who started the proceedings with a sixth minute penalty goal before Bristol bounced back when Will Hurrell intercepted a pass to score the opening try a minute later. Callum Sheedy added the conversion to make the scoreline 7-3.

Northampton upped the ante further when Ehren Painter (14') and Andrew Kellway (21') scored back to back tries with Biggar converting both as the scoreline became 7-17 before a penalty goal from Callum Sheedy brought the gap down to seven points.

The home side were reduced to 14-men temporarily when Jack Lam was sin-binned in the 28th minute but despite the setback Pat Lam's men amassed their second try in the 31st minute with Harry Thacker touching down while Sheedy's conversion saw the scores levelled 17-17.

Saints regained the lead when Lewis Ludlam crossing over in the 37th minute but Sheedy with his second penalty goal ensured the closely competed first half saw the teams heading into the break with a 20-24 scoreline.

The visitors were quick to get off the block in the second half with winger Taqele Naiyaravoro contributing a try but his efforts were negated by Luke Morahan but Sheedy with another three pointer brought the gap down to just one point by the 55th minute.

Just when it mattered the most back to back tries from Alex Waller and Mikey Haywood in the 59th and 63rd minutes respectively followed by a conversion apiece from Biggar and Jim Mallinder provided relief for Northampton as they stretched the lead to 15 points which proved just enough as they overcame tries from Will Hurrell and Alapati Leiua in the final 15 minutes to complete a 40-45 victory.