Dave Ribbans scored in stoppage time as Northampton beat Bath 27-26, while there were also wins for Gloucester, Worcester, Exeter, Sale and Harlequins in the English Premiership.
In an enthralling game, Northampton and Bath went blow for blow from start to finish.
Rhys Priestland starred for Bath, contributing 16 points via the boot. His flawless kicking display was in vain, though, as the Saints scored a match-winning converted try in the 81st minute.
After a low-scoring first half, Bath led 7-3. In a lively third quarter, both sides added 13 points to their respective tallies, leaving the scores level at 20-20.
Northampton’s discipline wavered and they conceded two penalties, which Priestland duly dispatched over the crossbar to put Bath six points up.
With the clock winding down, it looked as if Bath were going to close out the match, but the hosts kept the ball alive and piled pressure on their opponents. And when they conceded a penalty, Ribbans took a quick tap and powered his way over to score the vital try. James Grayson then stepped up and nailed the conversion to secure the win.
In other results, Johan Ackermann’s Gloucester overturned an eight-point deficit to stun Saracens 30-24, the Worcester Warriors edged the Leicester Tigers 17-13, the Exeter Chiefs eased to a 35-17 bonus-point win over the Newcastle Falcons, the Sale Sharks defeated Wasps 24-18 and Harlequins outlasted the Bristol Bears to win 36-26.
Round 14 results:
Northampton Saints 27 Bath 26
Gloucester 30 Saracens 24
Worcester Warriors 17 Leicester Tigers 13
Exeter Chiefs 35 Newcastle Falcons 17
Wasps 18 Sale Sharks 24
Harlequins 36 Bristol Bears 26
Photo: www.northamptonsaints.co.uk
