Rees-Zammit stars as Bristol power past Northampton
Bristol Bears beat reigning champions Northampton Saints in a close Premiership match at Ashton Gate, with Louis Rees-Zammit scoring twice. The late penalty try secured the win after Bristol held off Northampton’s late attack, marking a second consecutive league victory this season.
Gabriel Oghre opened the scoring from a line-out and maul, while George Hendy scored twice for Saints. Tom Jordan and Harry Randall added tries as Bristol built a 29-14 lead, but Alex Mitchell and Josh Kemeny brought Northampton back to 34-26. Rees-Zammit was denied a potential hat-trick when Tommy Freeman intervened cynically, leading to the penalty try; Bristol had been heavily beaten 94-33 by Saints last season.
- Rees-Zammit scored twice for Bristol.
- Bears beat the reigning champions at Ashton Gate.
- A last-gasp penalty try sealed the win.
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The Premiership is England’s top domestic rugby union competition. Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints are two of its clubs; Saints won the previous season’s title, while Bristol play their home matches at Ashton Gate.
A rugby match is played in two 40-minute halves, and teams can score by grounding the ball over the opponents’ goal line or by kicking it between the posts. A penalty try is awarded when foul play prevents a likely try, and counts as seven points.
Results between league rivals can shape their position in the table over the season. The clubs’ recent meetings also provide context: Northampton won heavily when they last faced Bristol in the previous season.