Gallagher Premiership round-up: Bristol hold off Bath in derby classic, Owen Farrell steers Saracens to win

Bristol Bears were left celebrating after an all-time classic West Country derby at a packed Ashton Gate, holding off a late surge from Bath to win 57-44 in a thriller featuring 13 tries.

The hosts led by 20 points going into the final quarter before Bath mustered an impressive fightback that had the home crowd worried until Finn Russell’s misjudged kick gifted Rich Lane the winning score at the death.

Bristol remain eighth in the Gallagher Premiership standings with 30 points, but moved seven points behind their rivals Bath and second-placed Harlequins in the touch-tight league table.

Joe Cokanasiga set the tone for the match by grabbing a perfectly weighted Russell cross-kick and powering down the wing to score inside the opening minute.

But the hosts responded in blistering fashion as Will Capon, Joe Batley, AJ MacGinty and Noah Heward all crossed the whitewash in a stunning 15-minute spell to put Bristol 26-8 up.

The Bears went in at the break with a 33-15 advantage after James Williams responded to Tom Dunn’s try, both converted.

The hosts continuously had a response to adversity, as Tom de Glanville’s try early in the second half for Bath was wiped out by a Fitz Harding effort before Magnus Bradbury dotted down two minutes on from Jaco Coetzee’s score for the visitors.

Holding a big lead with 20 minutes left, the Ashton Gate crowd were in high spirits, but Steven Luatua’s yellow card opened the door to a remarkable turnaround.

Bath came to life as Thomas du Toit charged over before a penalty try was awarded, sending Noah Heward to the bin to leave Bristol down to 13 men, and with a lead cut to just six points.

A nervy ending ensued, MacGinty’s penalty giving the Bears an eight-point cushion before Russell replied from the tee to make it a one-score game going into the final three minutes.

But a catastrophic error from the Scotland star handed Bristol the win on a plate, as his cross-field kick from inside his own 22 was plucked out of the air by Lane, who only had to run a few metres to dive over.

Owen Farrell kicked 15 points for Saracens to lead his side to a 40-22 victory over Exeter Chiefs that sent them above the visitors into the top four in the Gallagher Premiership.

Eyeballs were firmly fixed on England’s all-time top points scorer as he made his first appearance since Racing 92 announced that he will depart Sarries to join the French club in the summer.

Farrell was solid from the tee, kicking three conversions and two penalties, while he produced a long-range drop goal for the highlight reel to give his side a six-point lead in the second half.

But it was far from a simple night’s work for the reigning champions, who went in at the break tied 15-15 with The Chiefs after Olly Woodburn and Greg Fisilau responded to James Hadfield and Ivan van Zyl scores, and Josh Hodge kept pace with Farrell from the tee.

Juan Martin Gonzalez pounced on an error from Hodge to score inside the opening minute of the second half and nudge Sarries in front, but Exeter responded in spectacular fashion.

Rus Tuima finished off a try-of-the-season contender that started under The Chiefs’ posts, Hodge sparking the move with a weaving run to make up for his earlier mistake.

With the game in the balance at 25-22 going into the final quarter, Farrell sparked a strong finish for the hosts with a superb drop goal before Hadfield’s second try of the night and a late dot-down from Theo McFarland gave Sarries a comfortable margin of victory.

The result means that Saracens will occupy a play-off spot going into the two-month break for the Six Nations, sitting one point above fifth-placed Exeter and one behind Bath and Harlequins.

Northampton Saints extended their lead at the summit of the Premiership table with a bonus point 38-13 victory over bottom side Newcastle Falcons, whose wait for a first win of the season goes on.

Saints earned their 10th win in a row in all competitions at Franklin’s Gardens to go seven points clear of second-placed Harlequins.

Northampton haven’t suffered defeat since losing away to Leicester Tigers on November 18, but they faced a stern challenge in the first half against rock-bottom Falcons.

Saints lock Courtney Lawes drove over the line for the first try after an early Newcastle penalty, but there was an immediate response from the visitors as Adam Radwan went over in the corner.

A penalty try soon restored the hosts’ lead and left Falcons without flanker Freddie Lockwood for 10 minutes as he went to the bin, but the spirited visitors again fought back through the boot of Louie Johnson to make it a one-point game.

Saints eventually found some momentum, though, and Sam Matavesi spun over in the corner before half-time to give them sone breathing space.

Tom James notched the bonus-point score early in the second half, before scores from Ollie Selightholme and Juarno Augustus piled on the misery for a Newcastle side that has lost all 12 of its Premiership games this season.

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