Half-time: Bath 13 Northampton 6

Bath led at the break in this Guinness Premiership clash against Northampton at the Recreation Ground.

They were ahead under two minutes when wing Matt Banahan collected his fourth try in three matches.

But the winger owed his latest touchdown to the quick thinking of fly-half Butch James, who spotted the Saints short of defenders on the blindside before grubbering ahead for Banahan to stroll over. James converted.

Stephen Myler and James took the scores to 13-6 after they landed two penalties each by 23 minutes.

Bath escaped four minutes later when Juandre Kruger charged down James’ attempted clearance and home wing Joe Maddock touched down seconds ahead of Myler.

The hosts could have extended their lead on the troke of  half time but Jack Cuthbert’s long range penalty fell well short of the uprights.   

Bath Rugby: J Cuthbert; J Maddock, A Crockett, S Hape, M Banahan; B James, M Claassens; D Flatman, L Mears, M Stevens, P Short, A Beattie, M Lipman (capt), J Faamatuainu. Reps: P Dixon, D Bell, J Harrison, D Browne, S Bemand, E Fuimaono-Sapolu, A Higgins.

Northampton Saints: B Reihana (capt); P Diggin, J Clarke, J Downey, S Lamont; S Myler, E Murray, I Fernandez-Lobbe, J Kruger, M Easter, S Gray, R Wilson. Reps: P Shields, T Smith, C Day, M Hopley, B Foden, C Spencer, C Mayor.

Referee: A Small (London).