Lawes’ powerful display tames Bears and drives Saints into the top four
Courtney Lawes enjoyed a triumphant return to club action after his England captaincy exploits as Saints shone brightly here.
Lawes, who led his country to an impressive Twickenham victory over South Africa six days earlier, produced another powerful display in his side’s bonus-point win which lifted them into the top four.
Chris Boyd’s men outplayed a Bristol outfit who are a shadow of the team which dominated the Premiership last season until being badly derailed in the play-offs by eventual champions Harlequins.
Bristol roared into life with an early try but trailed 20-13 at halftime. Their rugby director Pat Lam said: “We started both halves very well, but it was the first time in a long time that our scrum has been dominated like that.”
The hosts produced a perfect driving maul from a line-out to pile over the line, hooker Jake Kerr touching down before Callum Sheedy converted. Despite the setback, it was Northampton who grew in confidence and belief. They responded quickly with Dan Biggar punishing Bristol mistakes with two penalties to cut the lead to a point.
Northampton were also guilty of the odd crucial dropped ball as the game was peppered with unforced errors in the opening 20 minutes.
Sheedy’s first penalty, as Bristol eventually realised it would be wise to make the most of kicking opportunities, had the home fans cheering once more. South African No8 Juarno Augustus was proving a real thorn in the Bears’ side with his impressive ball-carrying but his team-mates failed to supply enough support to punch a decisive hole in the hosts’ defence. A Sheedy penalty stretched the hosts’ lead but Saints then found their clinical edge.
A swift move sparked by England full-back George Furbank was continued by Alex Mitchell who burst towards the Bristol line before feeding Paul Hill to finish. Bears were caught cold by another well-worked attack moments later with wing Tommy Freeman darting across.
Lam’s half-time talk appeared to have worked as Bristol restarted on the front foot. But Alapati Leiua’s
quick try and Sheedy’s conversion proved just slight cheer.
Biggar poked his side in front again with a penalty and two more Saints tries, from Freeman and Furbank, and a yellow card for replacement prop George Kloska left Bears all at sea.
Biggar put the finishing touches to a fine night for him and his teammates with another penalty and Saints’ title ambitions had received a huge boost.
“I am very pleased to get five points,” said Chris Boyd, Northampton rugby director, who hailed an outstanding display by captain Lewis Ludlam. “Lewis had a really busy game. He just seems to find a gear when he needs it. He is a warrior, and he is turning into a very good leader for us.”