Bristol Bears 41-26 Northampton Saints - Gallagher PREM result and reaction as hosts beat champions thanks to Louis Rees-Zammit double at Ashton Gate

Tries from Gabriel Oghre, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Jordan and Harry Randall, plus a late penalty try, helped Bristol Bears beat reigning champions Northampton Saints 41-26 at Ashton Gate.

The Bears led 15-14 at half-time before pulling away after the break, with Rees-Zammit scoring twice as Bristol made it two wins from two.

Bristol made the brighter start but Northampton soon found their way into the contest, with both sides trading scores in an entertaining opening half.

Rees-Zammit produced a moment of magic to create a 50/22 before later finishing a slick attacking move in the corner to put Bristol ahead.

The Bears came out strongly after the restart and extended their lead when Rees-Zammit tore through the Saints defence before Jimmy Williams released Jordan, who stretched for the line.

Randall then added another try after Fitz Harding made valuable ground close to the Northampton line, with the scrum-half spotting a gap and darting over to make it 29-14.

Northampton refused to go away, though, and Alex Mitchell crossed before Josh Kemeny powered over to reduce the deficit to 34-26.

Saints were then reduced to 14 men when Ion Neculai was shown a yellow card for failing to roll away.

Bristol thought Max Pepper had added another try, only for the TMO to spot an earlier knock-on from Kieran Marmion.

The officials then reviewed an incident involving Callum Chick and Williams before Bristol were awarded another penalty.

The Bears kicked to the corner and, after further review, a penalty try was awarded when Rees-Zammit was deemed to have been obstructed as he chased the ball.

That put Bristol 41-26 ahead and ended Northampton's hopes of completing another comeback as the Bears held on for an impressive victory.

TNT Sports decide that Pedro Rubiolo was the standout man for this match.

Who will score the most tries this season?

The Bears made it two wins from two with a convincing victory over the reigning champions at Ashton Gate.

Bristol produced an outstanding performance to see off Northampton and maintain their perfect start to the season.

The officials take another look at the incident and decide Northampton had no covering defender behind the kick from Louis Rees-Zammit.

With the Bristol winger prevented from chasing the ball, the referee rules that a try would have been scored had there been no obstruction.

Bristol are awarded a penalty try, stretching their lead to 41-26.

Bristol secure the lineout but are quickly penalised for an obstruction as they try to form their driving maul.

The chance to build pressure disappears, with Northampton able to clear up to halfway.

The TMO picks up a head-to-head collision between Callum Chick and Jimmy Williams in the build-up to the disallowed try.

Bristol are awarded a penalty and choose to keep the pressure on rather than take the points.

Jimmy Williams sends the kick into the corner.

Bristol opt for a scrum seven metres from the Northampton line after another Saints penalty, with the visitors down to 14 men following Ion Neculai's yellow card.

The Bears make a couple of short carries before moving the ball wide, with Louis Rees-Zammit sending Max Pepper over in the right corner.

But the TMO spots an earlier knock-on from Kieran Marmion in the build-up.

The try is ruled out and the score remains 34-26.

Northampton are reduced to 14 men as replacement prop Ion Neculai is shown a yellow card.

The Saints tighthead is penalised for failing to roll away after making a tackle inside his own 22.

Bristol now have a man advantage.

George Hendy is struggling after that heavy tackle from Luka Ivanishvili and is now limping.

The Northampton winger is unable to continue, with Anthony Belleau coming on in his place.

Bristol are under serious pressure and opt to clear their lines through a high box kick from Harry Randall.

The chase is not the strongest, but George Hendy takes the ball and is immediately met by a big hit.

Northampton try to turn defence into attack, chipping over the top for James Pater to chase.

But the bounce is horribly unkind to the Saints, with the ball shooting away from Pater and the replacement full-back knocking on.

Louis Rees-Zammit's kick is gathered by James Pater, who immediately spots an opportunity and sends a huge 70-metre kick downfield.

The ball takes a bounce before finding touch inside the Bristol 22, earning Northampton a 50/22 and a valuable attacking platform.

But the Saints fail to make the most of it, with the resulting lineout breaking down and Northampton knocking on.

Northampton are enjoying a strong spell as they pile the pressure on Bristol.

Rory Hutchinson sends the ball wide to Josh Kemeny, who steps past one attempted tackle before powering towards the line.

AJ MacGinty does everything he can to stop him, but Kemeny manages to force the ball down and score.

The Saints are back within striking distance.

Joe Owen has made an immediate impact since coming on, throwing himself into tackle after tackle as Bristol continue to defend their lead.

The Bears withstand 14 phases of Northampton pressure before the Saints eventually decide to kick the ball away.

Another excellent defensive stand from Bristol.

Fraser Dingwall holds the ball up brilliantly before releasing George Hendy through a gap in the Bristol defence.

Hendy, chasing a hat-trick, could have gone himself but instead draws the final defender and unselfishly sends Alex Mitchell through to score under the posts.

Fin Smith adds the conversion and Northampton are right back in the contest.

Bristol move the ball rapidly from left to right, with Gabriel Ibitoye finding Louis Rees-Zammit in space.

The winger cuts a sharp diagonal line and has too much pace for the Northampton defence, racing over the line to score.

Jimmy Williams then sees another kick come back off the upright, with the conversion bouncing away.

Bristol opt for the posts from around 30 metres, but Jimmy Williams' penalty drifts onto the left upright and bounces back into play.

Callum Chick does well to gather the awkward rebound, but Pedro Rubiolo is straight on him.

The Bristol forward puts in a huge hit, driving Chick back over his own try line and earning the Bears a scrum.

A massive piece of defence from Rubiolo.

Tommy Freeman has looked dangerous since switching to the right wing, but Northampton's latest attack comes to an abrupt end.

New signing James Paper tries to send Freeman through, only for the pass to travel forward.

Bristol are awarded the scrum 25 metres from their own line.

Northampton work their way into the Bristol 22 with some slick handling, but the Saints leave themselves exposed at the breakdown.

George Kloska gets there first and manages to steal possession, bringing the dangerous attack to an abrupt end.

Harry Randall then clears up towards halfway with a box kick.

A huge defensive intervention from Bristol.

Fitz Harding makes a brilliant carry to bring Bristol within touching distance of the Northampton line.

Harry Randall then spots the gap and darts over from close range, selling a clever dummy to George Hendy before grounding the ball.

Another excellent finish from the Bristol scrum-half, who now has three tries already this season.

Jimmy Williams adds the conversion.