Bristol secured their first home win of the season with a hard-fought bonus-point victory over a vastly altered Northampton team. The game saw Bristol triumph 31-23, clinching their fourth consecutive win against the Saints.
Northampton started strong, with George Hendy and Josh Kemeny helping them take a 15-0 lead within the first 20 minutes. However, Bristol quickly bounced back, with Kalaveti Ravouvou and Gabriel Ibitoye scoring two rapid tries to bring the Bears into contention.
Ravouvou, making his first start of the season, put Bristol ahead with his second try, and Joe Batley extended their lead with a fourth try ten minutes from the end of the match. Although James Ramm swung the momentum back briefly for Northampton with a late try, it was not enough to change the outcome as they faced their sixth consecutive Premiership defeat away from home.
Bristol’s win places them 10 points clear of Northampton at the top of the table before the remainder of the weekend’s fixtures. Northampton, missing several key international players, made 10 changes to their lineup. Despite their injuries, they capitalized on Bristol’s errors in the opening stages, with George Makepeace-Cubitt scoring first for the Saints via a penalty.
Northampton quickly extended their lead, scoring two tries within three minutes, with Hendy finishing a slick move and Kemeny benefitting from a two-on-one situation.
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