Northampton Saints 48-31 Bristol Bears result - Premiership latest - Saints secure much-needed win against Bears who struggled to contain the pressure

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Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens / 26.04.2025

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SAINTS OVERPOWER BEARS IN THRILLING CLASH AT FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

Northampton Saints produced a clinical and dynamic performance to sweep aside Bristol Bears 48-31 in a high-scoring contest at Franklin’s Gardens.

With a Champions Cup semi-final looming, Saints showed no signs of distraction, running in a flurry of tries to delight the home crowd.

Alex Mitchell’s electric running and Fin Smith’s pinpoint kicking helped the defending champions race clear despite a few moments of Bristol brilliance.

‘Scintillating stuff’ – Mitchell scores solo stunner as Northampton hit back

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bristol, fighting to keep their place in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs, started brightly with an early score from Deago Bailey, but defensive errors soon allowed Northampton to seize control.

'Really slick' - Bailey finishes in corner as Bristol strike first to lead Northampton

Video credit: TNT Sports

Saints’ ruthless attacking play, led by Tommy Freeman and Juarno Augustus, ripped holes in the Bears' defence, while Henry Pollock once again impressed with a standout performance.

Even when Bristol found some rhythm through Gabriel Ibitoye and Kieran Marmion, Northampton’s relentless pace proved too much.

Steven Luatua marked his 150th appearance for the Bears with a typically courageous display, but Bristol's struggles at the breakdown and missed kicks at key moments allowed Saints to dominate the key periods of the match.

Fin Smith’s sharp decision-making kept the scoreboard ticking over, and when substitute Tom James set up Pollock for another score, the contest was effectively sealed.

Bristol rallied late, showing character with tries from Ibitoye and Marmion, and they earned a vital attacking bonus point that could prove crucial in the play-off race.

However, Pat Lam’s men were ultimately second best against a Northampton side who looked sharp, composed, and ready for their European challenge.

The result leaves Bristol clinging onto a top-four spot heading into Round 16, where a huge clash against Bath in Cardiff now awaits.

Highlights: Seven-try Northampton dent Bristol’s play-off hopes with impressive win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bristol Bears Director of rugby, Pat Lam:

"We're our own worst enemies. If we want to play the way we want to play, our skill levels are letting us down at the moment.

"At the end of the day, last week we didn't get that bonus point. The boys were together and got the bonus point today, and that's what matters going forward.

"Bath are on hot form. We know we can do it, the fact is can we do it. Bath will take care of itself, at least we go into that game in the top four."

Northampton Saints Director of rugby, Phil Dowson:

"It's a delicate balance, getting the guys back in to get some minutes. We only had eight subs, and we had to plan how we managed that.

"They scored 25 points in no time at all, and we were very conscious of that.

"We saw some of what we had worked on - our attack and quality of handling. We focused on our breakdown and that was really positive.

"We got cut open a little bit, but their work rate was pretty pleasing. There are lots of positives, but there's still stuff to work on.

VIDEO: 'A LITTLE SPECIAL' - Ramm executes incredible last-ditch tap tackle to deny certain Bristol try!

‘A little special’ – Ramm executes incredible last-ditch tap tackle to deny certain Bristol try

Video credit: TNT Sports

Player of the match Alex Mitchell:

"We're really happy after a frustrating season. Today we found a result.

"We want to show that we can build momentum for next weeks semi-final in Europe.

"In the second half we just tried to contain them. Defensively, we showed grit, and we knew they were going to come back.

"We're very excited. These are the games you want to play in and we can't wait for a packed out Aviva stadium against Leinster next weekend."

80'

FULL-TIME! BRISTOL BEARS 31-48 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Bristol leave Franklin’s Gardens with just an attacking bonus point, enough to keep their play-off hopes alive heading into Round 16 against Bath in Cardiff.

78'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 31-48 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Bristol are flying!

Bristol race the length of the field as Rich Lane and Siva Naulago spark a breakout from their own in-goal area, with Kieran Marmion finishing off a stunning move.

AJ MacGinty adds the extras with a quick drop kick.

77'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 24-48 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Ibitoye responds quickly with a try. That's his second of the day.

Bristol get the reward they desperately needed as Gabriel Ibitoye dives over in the corner to clinch the attacking bonus point.

It could prove crucial in the tight race for the play-offs.

AJ MacGinty misses the extras.

74'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 19-48 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Even with Alex Mitchell off, Saints’ scrum-half threat remains.

Tom James sells a dummy to Ben Grondona at the ruck, darts through a gap, and times his pass perfectly for Henry Pollock to cruise in and finish with a great dive.

Rory Hutchinson gets the conversion.

72'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 19-41 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

James Williams dots down for Bristol after some sharp attacking play.

Siva Naulago breaks free down the right flank, charging deep into Saints territory.

Steven Luatua does brilliantly to keep the move alive at the breakdown, setting up Kieran Marmion, who feeds Williams to finish.

AJ MacGinty slots the extras.

70'

IBITOYE GOES FOR GLORY
Gabriel Ibitoye cuts in from the left wing, using a powerful step to burst clear and back his pace from 70 metres out.

However, Tom Seabrook tracks him all the way and hauls him down short.

Bristol then give up possession, but Northampton couldn't make it count after a knock-on near the Bears' 22.

66'

BRISTOL ARE CHASING A BONUS POINT

The Bears are likely out of reach for a win, but two more tries could still earn them an attacking bonus point.

Mistakes like AJ MacGinty's missed kick to touch aren't helping their cause.

Pollock is making things happen for Saints. James Williams tries to run at the young flanker but gets stripped of the ball for his trouble.

62'

BRISTOL STRUGGLING UNDER THE PRESSURE

The Bears are losing their composure.

Ellis Genge opts for a quick tap from 35 metres out instead of kicking to the corner, a decision driven by frustration rather than strategy.

60'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 12-41 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

With 20 minutes to go, even far scoring Bristol might not be able to crawl this one back.

Juarno Augustus barges through Kalaveti Ravouvou to score in the corner.

Fin Smith adds the finishing touch with a conversion from out wide sending Saints into the 40s.

58'

BRISTOL ERRORS

Bristol seem to have abandoned the territory game as they chase a losing cause.

AJ MacGinty attempts a wide pass to Rich Lane deep in his 22, but it’s forward, gifting Northampton a scrum.

Alex Mitchell leaves the field to a roaring crowd.

57'

LUATUA LEADS THE WAY

Steven Luatua steps up to slow down Northampton's ruck ball, and after a dozen phases from the hosts, he wins a crucial turnover on the edge of his 22, relieving the pressure on his side.

54'

POWERFUL DEFENCE

Bristol make a crucial defensive stop as Steven Luatua delivers a strong tackle on Rory Hutchinson, forcing him to leap for a risky pass.

50'

BRISTOL GO DIRECT
Ellis Genge and Max Lahiff are charging forward, powering through defenders to get Bristol on the attack, but Genge loses the ball after a strong carry.

Henry Pollock breaks from deep for Northampton, but a forward pass disrupts their momentum, allowing Bristol to escape another mistake.

49'

PAT LAM MAKES HIS MOVE
Gabriel Oghre and Bill Mata are introduced for Bristol Bears.

45'

TRY! BRISTOL BEARS 12-34 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

Bristol attempt to run the ball from deep in their 22 with slow possession.

Rich Lane is met with a powerful hit from Tommy Freeman, who strips the ball.

It’s quickly passed out to Emmanuel Iyogun, who finishes with a try.

Fin Smith converts to make it 5 tries for the hosts.

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