When The Saints Go Marching In – Tilly J
Northampton Saints are the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership champions following an exhilarating final at Twickenham. Saints, who topped the table in the regular season, were pushed all the way by Bath who had been reduced to 14-men following Beno Obano’s first half red card. Alex Mitchell scored the winning try late on to secure the title for Northampton.
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.”
Talking Point – Red card costs Bath dearly as long-awaited search for title continues
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.
Player of the match – George Hendy (Northampton Saints)
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.
Player Ratings
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
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