Saints edge 14-man Bath to clinch Premiership crown in Twickenham thriller

Northampton Saints were crowned Gallagher Premiership champions after an Alex Mitchell try eight minutes from time gave them a 25-21 victory against Bath.

Saints were pushed all the way by a Bath side who had to play for an hour with 14 men after Beno Obano was shown red for a high tackle.

Despite Will Muir giving Bath a second-half lead, Saints rallied and youngster George Hendy provided the inspiration for Mitchell to score the winning try.

After Obano was shown red, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme tries put Saints into the driving seat, only for momentum to turn before the break as Thomas du Toit crossed for Bath.

When Muir scored Bath’s second try they looked in the driving seat, only for Mitchell to seal a memorable Saints victory.

It was 10 years since Northampton last lifted the title and marked a fairytale farewell for Courtney Lawes.

“We just tried to continue to be us and we didn’t want to change how we’ve played all season,” said Hendy after creating the winning try. “This has been a full 60-man effort and something that we’ll cherish for a long time.”

Bath missed a golden opportunity to clinch their seventh top-flight rugby championship and first for 28 years.

In attack the Somerset side looked imperious but a 21st-minute red card for a high tackle by Obano cost them dearly.

Bath were forced to change their plan and Alfie Barbeary was immediately replaced to provide more resistance in defence.

Saints immediately profited and Freeman and Sleightholme tries stunned Bath before Du Toit could reply.

Despite their attacking endeavour and fighting back in the second half, with 15 men Bath would have been formidable opponents.

With momentum against his side and Bath having a six-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes, Northampton Saints looked on the ropes.

However, a moment of brilliance by full-back Hendy provided the winning try and ultimately the Premiership crown.

The former Worcester Warriors man used a burst of speed and agility to beat several Bath defenders before calmly finding Mitchell to score.

Northampton Saints: Waller 7, Langdon 7, Davison 7, Moon 7, Coles 7, Lawes 8, Pearson 8, Augustus 7, Mitchell 8, Smith 7, Sleightholme 8, Dingwall 8, Odendaal 7, Freeman 8, Furbank 8

Replacements: Matavesi 7, Iyogun 7, Millar-Mills 7, Mayanavanua 7, Graham 7, Ludlam 8, James 8, Hendy 8

Bath Rugby: Obano 6, Dunn 7, Du Toit 8, Roux 7, Ewels 7, Hill 8, Underhill 8, Barbeary 8, Spencer 8, Russell 8, Muir 8, Redpath 8, Lawrence 8, Cokanasiga 7, Gallagher 7

Replacements: Annett 6, Schoeman 6, Stuart 7, Stooke 6, Bayliss 6, Bailey 6, Reid 7

Augustus is charging forward and Obano comes flying in with a high tackle. The Bath man is sent off in a critical moment in this game. Bath are reduced to 14 men for a head contact tackle.

23 – TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 10 (FREEMAN) BATH RUGBY 3

Furbank breaks down the side of the ruck before pulling the ball back and then finding the run of Freeman for the opening try.

Smith comfortably kicks the conversion and the Saints lead by seven points.

28 – TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 15 (SLEIGHTHOLME) BATH RUGBY 3

Sleightholme scores a second Saints’ try. Fast passing by Northampton results in Sleightholme kicking inside. However, the bounce brings the ball back into his path and he grounds right in the corner. The conversion is wide.

30 – TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 15 BATH RUGBY 10 (DU TOIT)

A Bath line-out results in a maul taking it metres from the Saints line. Du Toit charges his way outside and dots the ball for his side’s opening try.

Russell has a difficult conversion from out wide which he kicks to pull Bath back to five points.

51- TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 18 BATH RUGBY 18 (MUIR)

A high kick lofted wide results in Muir and Hendy both jumping forward. Hendy knocks it down backwards and then Muir grounds the ball.

The TMO checks the decision, and the try is awarded. Russell sees his conversion sail wide of the posts.

66 – RUSSELL KICKS BATH AHEAD

The Saints concede a penalty at the breakdown resulting in Russell kicking his side 18-21 ahead with 14 minutes remaining.

72 – TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 25 (MITCHELL) BATH RUGBY 21

Youngster Hendy with a mazy run with his pace beating two men before stepping inside. Just as Hendy is tackled he releases Mitchell to score his side’s third try.

Furbank slots the conversion in front of the posts.

Northampton gained 356 metres in attack compared to the 233 of Bath. In attack Saints also beat 18 defenders compared to their opponents’ four.