Bristol Bears secured their first home victory of the season with a bonus-point win over a significantly altered Northampton Saints side. The match saw Bristol triumph with a score of 31-23.
Northampton initially took the lead, with George Hendy and Josh Kemeny scoring early tries to give them a 15-0 advantage within the first 20 minutes. However, Bristol responded swiftly, with Kalaveti Ravouvou and Gabriel Ibitoye crossing the line to narrow the gap. Ravouvou’s second try of the match put Bristol ahead before Joe Batley documented a fourth try, solidifying their control over the game with just 10 minutes remaining.
Despite James Ramm’s late try for Northampton, which came just under a minute before the final whistle, it was not enough to change the outcome, marking the Saints’ sixth straight Premiership loss on the road. Bristol’s victory extends their winning streak against Northampton to four games and propels them 10 points clear at the top of the table ahead of the weekend’s matches.
Coach Phil Dowson’s decision to rotate his squad, making 10 changes, meant that the Saints were missing several key international players. Despite this, they managed to exploit Bristol’s errors early on, with debutant George Makepeace-Cubitt kicking the opening penalty. The Saints quickly capitalized, scoring two tries in quick succession, with Pearson assisting both Hendy and Kemeny.
Bristol’s victory showcased their resilience and adaptability, enabling them to start the season strongly at home.
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