Saints win the Amlin Challenge Cup

Image from Saint's Twitter page.

Northampton Saints have won the Amlin Challenge Cup, defeating Bath 30-16 in a closely fought contest. 

With the Aviva Premiership Final against Saracens looming, Saints will go to Twickenham next Saturday with great confidence. 

Held at the Cardiff Arms Park in front of 12,483 fans, it was to be the first ever Rugby final played on an artificial pitch.

Saints faced heavy pressure from the opponents right from the off, with a successful George Ford penalty in the opening minutes. 

A tense game throughout, but it was Bath who went into the dressing room at half-time in a healthier position at 13:6. 

It took until the 61st minute for the Saints to take their first lead in the game, coming off of one of Stephen Myler's penalties.

The momentum was then in place to carry the Saints to their first silverware of the season, and deservedly so.

Myler proved to be the difference between the two sides, with him managing to score all 6 of his penalty's, whilst his counter-part Ford managed 3/5 and 1 conversion. 

Saracens won't be feeling confident if the Saints that performed in the second half turn up at Twickenham next Saturday.

Line Ups:

Bath: Abendanon; Rokoduguni, Joseph, Devoto, Watson; Ford, Young; James, Dunn, Wilson, Hooper (c), Attwood, Fearns, Louw, Houston

Saints: Foden; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Dickson; Corbs, Haywood, Mercey, Manoa, Lawes, Clark, Wood (c), Dickinson

By Stephen Matthews