George Ford stars in Bath's 18-14 win over Northampton

Northampton Saints 14-18 Bath Rugby, Franklin's Gardens
Scorecard

George Ford racked up four penalties and two drop goals to resist late Northampton Saints' late attack and to register a 14-18 victory in the Aviva Premiership game at Franklin's Gardens. This was also first win for Bath under the new coach Todd Blackadder.

Bath had an early scare as Taulupe Faletau was ruled out of the game with a leg injury in the 12th minute.

Harry Mallinder had a chance to open the account for the Saints in the 23rd minute but his missed chance allowed his counterpart Ford to score the penalty for Bath in the 33rd minute. Just before the end of the first half, Ford successfully scored a drop goal to take his team to a 6-0 lead at half-time.

Capitalising from a knock-on by Ahsee Tuala, Ford scored his second penalty just four minutes into the second half. Saints continued to play a reckless game as the England international added a drop goal and two penalties between the 60th and 70th minute to take Bath to 18-0.

With Chris Cook sin-binned for Bath, replacement Nic Groom scored two tries in four minutes which was converted by Stephen Myler. However, Groom's heroics weren't enough for the Saints as they ended four points short.