Saints start in style
Northampton bagged a convincing 30-17 victory at home against Bristol to start their EDF Energy Cup campaign off in style.
Last Updated: 04/10/08 6:08pm
Northampton bagged a convincing 30-17 victory at home against Bristol to start their EDF Energy Cup campaign off in style.
Bristol new boy Mathew Turner had crossed twice either side of Paul Diggin's early effort to have the visitors 10-5 ahead after 20 minutes.
However, Saints rallied in great style, notching 22 unanswered points as Bristol had Robert Sidoli and Kevin Maggs yellow-carded either side of the break.
Referee Nigel Owens brandished five yellow cards in all - two to Northampton and three to visiting Bristol.
Lee Dickson, Chris Ashton and Chris Mayor all touched down for Northampton, added to four Barry Everitt kicks, meaning Vunga Lilo's late score for Bristol was merely a consolation.
Changes
Both sides made plenty of changes, and it was Turner on his debut who gave Bristol the perfect start after just three minutes, when he fought off two tackles to go over in the corner.
Diggin collected Everitt's long pass on the left and cut inside to level for Northampton, but Turner won the race for Lilo's kick through to restore Bristol's advantage.
The lead lasted just two minutes though as Dickson finished off a sweeping move to score from Matt Lord's pass.
The Saints took the lead five minutes before the break with a 40-metre kick from Everitt to send the hosts in at half time in the lead.
With Bristol were down to 13 men four minutes after the restart, Northampton took advantage with Ashton and Mayor going over for two tries in three minutes to give the hosts the upper hand.
Lilo grabbed a consolation try for Bristol with nine minutes left and Ashwin converted - before Everitt's penalty with two minutes left completed the scoring.
