Bristol Bears beat Northampton 41-26

Bristol Bears 41-26 Northampton Saints, Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears delivered a strong all-round performance to beat defending Gallagher PREM champions Northampton Saints 41-26 at Ashton Gate.

Louis Rees-Zammit scored twice for the second game in a row, while Gabriel Oghre, Tom Jordan and Harry Randall also crossed. Bristol were also awarded a late penalty try as they secured a bonus-point victory in front of a packed home crowd.

Northampton stayed in the fight through two tries from George Hendy and further scores from Alex Mitchell and Josh Kemeny, but Bristol’s attacking sharpness and defensive work proved decisive.

Bears Edge Ahead Before Half-Time

Bristol started with intensity and took the lead in the sixth minute. After securing lineout ball close to the try-line, the home pack drove forward and Oghre powered over. James Williams missed the conversion.

Northampton responded in the 10th minute when Hendy crossed in the left corner, with Fin Smith converting to put the visitors ahead.

Bristol soon regained momentum. Rees-Zammit intercepted a pass from Henry Pollock and used his pace before kicking into the Northampton backfield for a 50:22. From the pressure that followed, Northampton infringed and Williams kicked a penalty.

The hosts thought they had another try when Jordan touched down from AJ MacGinty’s kick, but it was ruled out for a knock-on by Randall earlier in the move.

Bristol did score again in the 35th minute when Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s burst and quick handling created the chance for Rees-Zammit to finish in the corner. Williams converted to make it 15-7.

Northampton struck on the stroke of half-time through Hendy’s second try, with Smith’s conversion cutting Bristol’s lead to 15-14 at the break.

Bristol Pull Clear After Restart

Bristol started the second half strongly. Rees-Zammit made a brilliant break before Jordan finished from a flat pass by Williams. The conversion took Bristol 22-14 ahead.

The bonus-point try followed in the 53rd minute. Fitz Harding’s powerful carry put Bristol close to the line, and Randall sniped over from short range. Williams converted to stretch the lead to 29-14.

Williams then hit the upright with a penalty before Bristol struck again from the resulting passage. The ball was moved quickly from a scrum, Gabriel Ibitoye found Rees-Zammit, and the winger dived over for his second try. The conversion hit the post, leaving Bristol 34-14 ahead.

Saints Fight Back Before Late Penalty Try

Northampton responded through Mitchell, with Smith converting, before Kemeny crossed soon after to cut the gap further. The missed conversion left Bristol 34-26 ahead and gave Saints hope of a late comeback.

Bristol regained control in the closing stages and almost scored through Max Pepper, but the try was ruled out.

The decisive final moment came when Rees-Zammit was denied a likely hat-trick near the line. Northampton were shown a yellow card, and Bristol were awarded a penalty try to seal the win.

Team line up:

Bristol Bears: 15. Tom Jordan, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12. James Williams, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. George Kloska, 4. Pedro Rubiolo, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Ben Grondona, 8. Fitz Harding (c).

Reserves: 16. Tomas Gwilliam, 17. Lovejoy Chawatama, 18. Jimmy Halliwell, 19. George Taylor, 20. Joe Owen, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Max Pepper, 23. Luka Ivanishvili.

Northampton Saints: 15. Tommy Freeman; 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Fraser Dingwall (c), 11 George Hendy, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Archie McParland; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Alex Coles, 5 Ed Prowse, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Josh Taylor, 8 Henry Pollock

Reserves: 16. Robbie Smith, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Ion Neculai, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Callum Chick, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Anthony Belleau, 23. James Pater

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