BRISTOL SEND SAINTS TO FIRST LEAGUE DEFEAT
Bristol Bears scored five unanswered first half tries on their way to recording a 46-12 victory over previous Gallagher PREM leaders Northampton Saints.
The Saints came into the game with an impressive record of four wins and a draw in their opening five league fixtures and started the weekend top.
However, the injury-hit squad were dealt a further blow just five minutes in when Italian winger Edoardo Todaro was given a 20-minute red for a dangerous challenge on kicker Sam Worsley.
The Bears took full advantage of the extra player with Kieran Marmion tricking his opposition with a quick move resulting in the opening try.
Bristol were in the ascendancy and Tom Jordan drove over from close range to double their advantage with just nine minutes played.
Marmion completed his brace on 15 minutes before Benhard Janse van Rensburg created his side’s fourth try for Kalaveti Ravouvou.
Despite the Saints being restored to 15 players they were helpless to stop Aidan Boshoff making it 35-0 at half-time.
Returning from injury Saints’ skipper George Furbank led a second half fightback, resulting in both JJ van der Mescht and Tom Litchfield scoring tries.
However, the evening belong to the Bears and Luka Ivanishvili capped the performance with his side’s sixth try at the death.
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