Bath beat Northampton to book Anglo-Welsh final spot
TEIMANA Harrison’s night of celebration turned into one of ignominy as his moment of madness ruined Saints’ chances of appearing in their first Anglo-Welsh final since winning the competition in 2010.
Harrison led out Northampton to celebrate his 100th appearance for the club, but with 13 minutes remaining and his side leading 12-10, he headbutted Bath’s Nathan Catt and was sent off.
Josh Lewis held his nerve to kick the resulting penalty and, after eleven fruitless years since the competition began in 2005, Bath made it to their first final at Kingsholm next Sunday.
Bath first team coach Toby Booth said: “There was nothing really malicious in the sending off and I feel sorry for him as he’s a good lad but you’ve got to be very careful not to get too close to people.
“It was really important that we fronted up and we got on top in the set-piece with our bench making a considerable impact.
“It was vital that we played in the right areas of the pitch and we were able to do that and eke out penalties at crucial times.”
This was certainly evident in the first 20 minutes when exceptional kicking from Lewis ensured Saints were penned in their own half.
He also fired over an early penalty before the hosts went close to scoring the first try when Tom Homer charged down a clearance from Ahsee Tuala but Nafi Tuitavake was alert to the danger and Saints kept their line intact.
It was the first of many mistakes from Tuala, who had a nightmare in the incessant rain with Saints’ cause not helped when they lost influential flanker Heinrich Brussow with a leg injury as early as the 12th minute.
Lewis was narrowly off target with a 40 metre dropgoal attempt before Bath scored the only try of the game after Saints lost a line-out in their own 22.
Tom Ellis was on hand to boot the loose ball forward with Levi Douglas scrambling to win the touchdown. With a conversion from Lewis, Bath looked firmly in control holding a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
However, Bath bungled the restart and that was the precursor for the visitors to dominate the remainder of the half.
Skilful kicking from halfbacks Cobus Reinach and Stephen Myler rejuvenated Saints and they came back into contention with three penalties in quick succession from Myler.
The power of Aussie centre Rob Horne set up the first two before a storming run from replacement Ben Nutley saw Lewis yellow carded for a deliberate offside. Myler’s third success left Saints just 10-9 adrift at the break.
After the restart Lewis missed a penalty and made a crucial error when his punt went dead to gift Saints 50 metres and from the resulting scrum, Bath were penalised for Myler to put his side ahead for the first time.
Bath’s replacements provided impetus and their pack became increasingly dominant. But the matchwinning score may never have come but for Harrison’s folly.