I'm not convinced the final score fully reflects the difference between both teams because Bath made hard work of this victory. Granted Northampton look like a team which will only avoid relegation thanks to there being a worse team in the Premiership rather than because they play themselves in to safety, however Bath only came to life in the second periods of each half. 

Northampton had a fair amount of possession but had few ideas how to turn ball retention into scoring opportunities. Ben Cohen once again proved he is looking more and more like a spent force and Steve Thompson is as deadly as a kitten with a ball of wool - he can't hold or direct the ball any better than a junior feline which has to cope with pads, paws and claws! It only took until the Saint's second lineout for Thompson to don his "Banjo" mask and give the ball away. Borthwick took advantage of the error and fed Geraint Lewis who charged up-field before off-loading to Duncan Bell, who was hauled down just short of the line. The thought of Thompson as the main hooker for the Lions this summer makes me shudder.

The one player I thought looked dangerous for Northampton was Biggles look-alike, Bruce Reihana. The full back tried to counter attack at every opportunity but he was a man alone and the prowling Bath pack picked him off like a weak wildebeest. Shane Drahm also tried to inject some energy in to his side but a club can't compete with two-man rugby!

Reihanna set up the opening score with a familiar charge up-field which saw Bath concede a penalty. Six minutes later Bath equalized and then Drahm and Malone traded drop goals to take the score to 6-6. After twenty minutes Bath started to step up the pace and pepper the Saint's line with attacks. Andrew Higgins fluffed his lines right in front of the Northampton goal area but fortunately Joe Maddock made amends with a score out wide just moments later. However Higgins showed his growing maturity by putting the error behind him and cutting open the Saint's defence with surgeon-like precision to score Bath's second try. A late penalty gave Bath a 23-6 half time lead and everyone started thinking about scoring bonus points.

However Bath then retreated in to their shell for the first half of the second period and six points from Drahm gave the visitors hope that a comeback was possible. Fortunately the Bath pack then took over proceedings and killed off any hope Northampton might have. Duncan Bell's late try provided a chance to cheer but realistically offered insufficient time for Bath to build towards the precious scoring bonus point.

The Bath back line looked as slick and organised as I have seen all year, though they still struggled to break down the Northampton defence as often as they should. I noticed the passing was faster and flatter than we have been used to and this created openings we have not enjoyed for quite some time. Andrew Higgins looked very sharp, and his try late in the first half was a joy to watch. Talking of joy, what about the celebration from Duncan Bell after he scored Bath's final try with just minutes to go: he leapt like a frisky lamb at the beginning of Spring.

Matt Perry failed to appear for the game through another injury and Joe Maddock moved from wing to full-back. If I was judging Maddock on this display I'd say he is a winger and not a full-back and I hope Pezza is available next week as the New Zealander will be exposed on the wide open plains of Twickenham. Catching high balls is not his forte, though perhaps we have been spoiled by the excellence of Matt Perry's 199 league appearances.

Steve Borthwick appeared to hurt his shoulder and David Barnes had to be replaced by the man he replaced, Duncan Bell, so let's hope both players are fit for next week.

Still, all said and done, its a win and we scored three cracking tries. There is a lot of work to do for next week on the training field but I'm feeling confident that we'll win the Cup.

Finally, before we all get too excited about the possibility of two visits to Twickenham this season it is worth reflecting on the fact that whilst Sale may be blowing up right at the end of the season and Glawster doing everything in their power to finish mid-table also-rans we have to watch Saracens coming up on the rails. A win tomorrow against Wasps, which is not out of the question, would see them level on points and a winning bonus point would see them snatch third spot. What price then that fourth try against Saints?

Bath: Maddock, A. Williams, Higgins, Barkley, Daniel, Malone, Walshe, Stevens, Mears, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Lewis, Scaysbrook, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Davis for Maddock (80), Welsh for Higgins (61), Wood for Walshe (61), Barnes for Bell (68), Fidler for Borthwick (75), Delve for Lewis (71). Not Used: Humphreys.

Northampton: Reihana, Rudd, Vilk, Stcherbina, Cohen, Drahm, Howard, Emms, Thompson, Sturgess, Lord, Boome, Beattie, Fox, Seely.
Replacements: Tucker for Vilk (78), Myring for Stcherbina (80), Jones for Howard (49), Soden for Beattie (61), Browne for Seely (75). Not Used: Richmond, Morris.

Referee: Chris White

Zurich Premiership April 09, 2005 P W D L BP PTS 1  Leicester 20 14 3 3 10 72 2  Wasps 19 13 1 5 9 63 3  Bath 20 11 2 7 5 53 4  Sale 20 11 0 9 7 51 5  Saracens 19 10 2 7 5 49 6  Gloucester 20 10 1 9 4 46 7  Newcastle 19 8 2 9 5 41 8  London Irish 20 8 0 12 6 38 9  Harlequins 20 6 1 13 11 37 10  Northampton 20 7 0 13 7 35 11  Leeds 20 7 0 13 7 35 12  Worcester 19 7 0 12 6 34

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