The late Alex Mitchell won the Premiership title for Northampton ; Northampton became Gallagher Premiership champions at Twickenham after Alex Mitchell’s late try secured a 25-21 victory that ended Bath’s defiant response to Benno Obano’s red card.
Obano was sent off with about an hour left in the final for a high tackle on Juarno Augustus which referee Christophe Ridley said presented a high level of danger with no mitigation.
The late Alex Mitchell won the Premiership title for Northampton.
Bath dropped Juan Schoeman to replace Alfie Burberry, robbing them of their second key ball career and the ability to play something more ambitious than a theory game, yet they rallied bravely.
Tries from Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleiholm did some early damage, but they came back with touch downs from the boots of Thomas du Toit and Will Muir and Finn Russell to make it 21-18 with 13 minutes remaining.
Northampton have been the standout side in the Premiership this season, working multiple strings to their bow but initially lacking in attack, yet they went into their shells as Bath took control.
It was the tackle-busting ability of 21-year-old replacement wing George Hendy and the support work of Mitchell to finally break down their opponents, who saw Sam Underhill lead a remarkable defensive effort.
The late Alex Mitchell won the Premiership title for Northampton.
Hendy was named man of the match as Northampton sent off Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller, Lewis Ludlum and Alex Moon in the win, but Bath’s side were full of worthy performances, including half-backs Ben Spencer and Russell.
Russell’s first notable act was sending an ugly penalty kick to the left to draw an eyebrow from the Scotland playmaker, but he was more successful with his second attempt.
George Farbank was brought into contact as a nervy set-piece battle gave way to a tentative attack, but Northampton could find no space in a well-drilled Bath defence.
The second quarter allowed Finn Smith to land a drop-goal as Saints patiently advanced deep into opposition territory, ahead of Obano’s farewell match against Bath.
The late Alex Mitchell won the Premiership title for Northampton.
The impact was almost immediate as Northampton plundered their first try, Lois Farbank threading a pass out of touch and the England full-back worked his magic, gliding into space and sending Freeman over.
Furbank assisted Sleightholme in the left corner, but Bath hit back when Du Toit tapped in from short range in a big win for their pack.
A Russell penalty early in the second half reduced the deficit to two points and Northampton looked to capitalize on a valuable position near the whitewash.
The late Alex Mitchell won the Premiership title for Northampton.
A double tackle by Russell and Underhill forced South Africa’s Berger Odendaal forward and Muir touched Spencer’s crossfield kick as Smith’s penalty swam.
Russell’s 50-22 points increased the pressure, as Farbank committed a handling error as the Saints’ foundation began to shake. Really rugby is a amazing game.