Saracens launched a late fightback but were denied by some staunch Bath
defending in injury-time at Franklin's Gardens.
Forced to play this 'home' fixture at Northampton, the Londoners attracted a
crowd of just 3,595 and were edged out in an entertaining game by their more
streetwise visitors.
Wing Frikkie Welsh collected two tries on his debut having arrived only this
week from the Blue Bulls.
Saracens arrived at Northampton still smarting at the change of venue imposed
upon them by Premier Rugby after Bath had refused to play without their England
squad players on the normal Sunday date, a state of affairs brought about by the
new seven-day quarantine rule governing international build-ups.
Saracens had their problems on the field too with key players missing
including long-term casualties such as Richard Hill, Alex Sanderson, Thomas
Castaignede and Kyran Bracken.
Welsh took only eight minutes to make his mark in a Bath shirt. Fed a pass by
Olly Barkley, the powerful Springbok A international handed off Richard Haughton
on the touchline and then stepped inside full-back Robbie Kydd on a powerful run
to the posts. Barkley converted to put Bath 7-0 ahead.
Poor concentration at a line-out let Saracens in for an opportunist try by
skipper Hugh Vyvyan after 13 minutes, Welsh being embarrassed by a wicked bounce
of the ball.
Saracens' confidence was given a further boost four minutes later when Kydd
latched onto a cross-kick from Mark Bartholomeusz to score, also converting his
try.
Chris Malone and Kydd swapped penalties before Bartholomeusz threw a rash pass
which was hacked on by Bath wing Andrew Higgins for Bath's second try with
Malone converting.
Although Kydd put Saracens back in front with a 35-metre penalty Malone
dropped a goal and then kicked a long-range penalty to ensure that Bath went in
at half-time leading 23-18.
Welsh grabbed his second try after 46 minutes after a rampaging run by Zak
Feaunati and Mike Tindall ensured Bath claimed the bonus point when he went in
under the posts on the hour. Malone converted both tries and Bath were seemingly
out of sight.
Saracens then replaced Bartholomeusz with New Zealand newcomer Glen Jackson
and his dynamic running sparked the hosts' revival, first with a try from the
fly-half himself and then from impressive half-back partner Moses Rauluni.
Jackson converted that final try but Bath just held on to climb into fifth
place in the table.
Teams
Saracens: Kydd, Haughton, Johnston, Harris, Vikona,
Bartholomeusz, Yates, Cairns, Broster, Chesney, Raulini,
Randell, Seymour, Vyvyan.
Replacements: Bailey for Haughton (47),
Jackson for Bartholomeusz (63), Lloyd for Yates (50),
Ibanez for Cairns (63), Skirving for Chesney (60),
B. Russell for Seymour (75).
Not Used: Williams.
Tries: Vyvyan, Kydd, Jackson, Raulini.
Cons: Kydd, Jackson.
Pens: Kydd 2.
Bath: Barkley, Higgins, Crockett, Tindall, Welsh, Malone, Wood,
Barnes, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie, Lipman,
Fea'unati.
Replacements: Daniel for Higgins (32),
Scaysbrook for Beattie (29).
Not Used: Mears, Loader., Fidler, Walshe, Davey.
Tries: Welsh, Higgins, Walshe, Tindall.
Cons: Barkley, Malone 3.
Pens: Malone 2.
Drop Goals: Malone.
Att: 3,595
Ref: Sean Davey (West Sussex).
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