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It was a tale of two fly-halves as Northampton came from behind to beat English rivals Bath 30-16 in the European Challenge Cup final at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday. |
Northampton No 10 Stephen Myler scored 20 points through six penalties and a conversion as they recovered from 13-6 down at half-time after a try by Bath wing Anthony Watson. By contrast Bath’s George Ford missed three of his seven goal-kicks.
Ford started after his father Mike, the Bath coach, confirmed he would miss the upcoming England tour of New Zealand to undergo shoulder surgery.
Victory saw Northampton stay on course for a ‘double’ ahead of next weekend’s English Premiership final with European Cup finalists Saracens.
The match to decide the destiny of European rugby’s second-tier prize was in doubt until Northampton scored two tries inside the final 10 minutes.
Then Ford and Myler exchanged penalties to leave the match all square at 6-6. Bath though scored the opening try in the 27th minute. Ford then added an easy conversion and Bath led 13-6.
But on the stroke of half-time, Ford missed a penalty from the left touchline. Ford then made it three missed penalties in a row while Myler, after excellent breakdown work by the Saints’ forwards, reduced Bath’s lead to a point.
Having been behind for most of the match, Northampton now led 15-13 heading into the final quarter. Then a Ford knock-on led to a Northampton scrum on the edge of Bath’s 22.
Bath’s pack buckled and Myler from wide out right on the 22 kicked Northampton ahead into an 18-13 lead. Ford cut Northampton’s lead to two points before the Saints hit back in style.