Saints run hot against Bath

Northampton maintained their perfect start to the season and ended Bath's, with a 31-10 bonus-point victory over their Aviva Premiership rivals at Franklin's Gardens.

Chris Ashton (two), Phil Dowson and Joe Ansbro all touched down for the Saints, while Shane Geraghty kicked three penalties and Stephen Myler a conversion in what was ultimately an emphatic triumph.

Bath had only an Olly Barkley penalty and a late converted try from Ben Williams to show for their efforts, despite proving more than a match for their opponents during a keenly-contested first half.

But they were blown away in the second half as England wing Ashton touched down twice with Ansbro sealing the bonus point 12 minutes from time.

The hosts gave away a number of penalties in the opening exchanges and from one Barkley had the chance to open the scoring, only to put his 40-metre attempt wide.

With neither side able to dominate proceedings, scoring opportunities were few and far between, however when Bath offended at a ruck 35 metres out Geraghty stepped up to kick the goal that gave the Saints a 3-0 lead on 18 minutes.

Five minutes later Bath flanker Andy Beattie was then pinged at a line-out and again Geraghty was successful, this time with a more difficult, angled kick from 45 metres.

Extended lead

Moments afterwards the lead was extended further with the first try of the game. After a period of pressure the ever-probing Geraghty was hauled down close to the visitors' line and Dowson was on hand to pick up and power over - Geraghty's conversion attempt hit the post.

Barkley then hit the crossbar for Bath with a long-range penalty before they produced their best attacking movement of the first half.

Hooker Pieter Dixon began it with a smart break away from a ruck on half way and Shontayne Hape was brought down inches from the home line, only for the Saints' scramble defence to hold firm.

Bath were awarded another penalty and this time chose an attacking scrum, but the choice proved a poor one as Northampton got a huge shove on to wreck the opposition scrum and gain a penalty of their own.

With the last kick of the half Barkley was given another penalty chance and this time he landed it to make it 11-3 to the home side at the interval.

But it was Northampton who came flying out of the blocks after the interval and within 30 seconds of the restart they were further ahead.

Simple score

Dowson broke away from a maul on halfway and released Ashton into space to race away for a simple score. Geraghty missed a regulation conversion but made amends with a penalty soon afterwards.

From that point the Saints continued to dominate and, after Bath prop David Wilson was sin-binned, they took full advantage with another clinical try from Ashton, although there was also yet another conversion miss from Geraghty.

Wilson returned for Bath to shore up the visitors' under-pressure scrum that was in danger of totally disintegrating, but Northampton pulled further ahead with a try from replacement Joe Ansbro which replacement Stephen Myler converted.

With six minutes to go Bath collected their consolation try from another replacement, Williams, with Sam Vesty adding the extras.