Northampton Saints cut down by dazzling Ben Spencer
Bath ……………………………… 38pts
Tries: Cokanasiga 5, Hill 26, Spencer 34, Lawrence 62, Coetzee 77
Conversions: Russell 6, 26, 35, 63, 79
Penalty: Russell 67
Northampton Saints…… 16pts
Try: Kemeny 18
Conversion: Smith 19
Penalties: Smith 32, 53, 61
Most of the bookies and pundits have made Bath Premiership favourites and on this evidence that status appears fully justified.
Five tries to one tells its own story – the Bath attacking machine was functioning at a high level from the off – but it was their ease and composure when not in possession that impressed most.
Resolute and organised defence, stacks of very heavy, sapping legal hits and for the most part good discipline.
Last season it was Saints’ improved defence allied to their attacking skills that won the Premiership and that must be the template for Bath.
It helps that Finn Russell, refreshed after a summer off international duties, has started in top gear but even Scotland’s finest was outshone on the night by a dazzling all round performance from half-back partner Ben Spencer.
Ben Spencer Brilliance
It’s tempting to say Spencer is playing better than ever but that’s not strictly true.
He was always brilliant and fundamental to Saracens for most of their glory years and has been consistently excellent since joining Bath.
Initially that was often in adversity but since being joined by Russell the duo have got everybody in the squad reaching for new heights.
Spencer has won ludicrously few England caps – eight with no start – and there should probably be an inquest into that miscarriage of justice at some stage but in the meantime Alex Mitchell will have to be absolutely flying to get the nod over him against New Zealand early in September.
As for Saints, this felt a little ominous. Defending a title is difficult enough but since May they have lost Courtney Lawes, Alex Moon, Alex Waller and Lewis Ludlam while Alex Coles was not available on the night.
That’s over half your pack and you can’t replace that quality or replicate that continuity overnight.
Mitchell was also missing with a knock and they chose not to start Tommy Freeman or Juarno Augustus which seemed odd but Phil Dowson hasn’t missed a beat in recent seasons so he will have had his reasons.
First Half
As it happened, Bath exploded out of the blocks with three first-half tries from Joe Cokanasiga, Ted Hill – an absolute beauty – and that man Spencer.
Saints did reply with a cracker from Aussie flanker Josh Kemeny courtesy of a sharp break and pass from George Furbank and had a try by James Ramm correctly disallowed but it wasn’t until the second half they found any attacking rhythm.
Second Half
Then they did look dangerous for a while but Bath’s defence was so secure that two penalties was Saints’ only reward. And then Bath finished in style.
Ollie Lawrence showed good anticipation and speed to pounce on a loose ball after a big hit by Guy Pepper while at the death Jaco Coetzee forced his way over for a fifth after Kemeny had been sin-binned for a cynical side entry to a maul.
It can cost just north of £100 for a ticket at The Rec but who’s to say that’s not money well spent if Bath are your team. Golden Friday nights at The Rec are memories you burnish for decades to come.
