Wales international Louis Rees-Zammit scored a try in each half for Bristol [Getty Images]
The Prem
Bristol (15) 41
Tries: Oghre, Rees-Zammit 2, Jordan, Randall, Penalty Cons: Williams 3 Pens: Williams
Northampton (14) 26
Tries: Hendy 2, Mitchell, Kemeny Cons: F. Smith 3
Louis Rees-Zammit scored a double as Bristol Bears edged past reigning champions Northampton Saints in a pulsating Prem tussle at Ashton Gate.
Although defences were on top in the first half and chances were limited, the tactical battle and ruthless finishing provided great entertainment as they ran in two tries apiece.
Gabriel Oghre opened the scoring for the hosts following a well-worked line-out move and maul before George Hendy crossed in the corner.
And, after Rees-Zammit’s clinical close-range score, Hendy went over again to leave the match finely poised at 15-14 in Bristol’s favour at the break.
Unanswered, converted tries from Tom Jordan and Harry Randall gave Bears significant breathing space at 29-14, only for two tries in four minutes from Alex Mitchell and Josh Kemeny to get Saints back in the game at 34-26.
But Bears managed to blunt the Saints attack in the closing stages and sealed the win in the final seconds with a penalty try, awarded after a cynical intervention by Saints full-back Tommy Freeman denied Rees-Zammit a hat-trick.
More to follow.
Bristol: Jordan; Rees-Zammit, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; AJ MacGinty, Randall; Woolmore, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, Luatua, Grondona, Harding (capt).
Replacements: Gwilliam, Chawatama, Halliwell, Taylor, Owen, Marmion, Pepper Ivanishvili.
Northampton: Freeman; Sleightholme, Hutchinson, Dingwall (capt), Hendy; Smith McParland; Iyogun, Langdon, Kundiona, Coles, Prowse, Kemeny, Taylor, Pollock.
Replacements: Smith, Fischetti, Neculai, Lockett, Chick, Mitchell, Belleau, Pater.
Sin bin: Neculai (74), Freeman (80)
Referee: Ian Tempest
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