{"id":1711,"date":"2026-05-16T06:58:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T06:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1711"},"modified":"2026-05-16T06:58:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T06:58:29","slug":"northampton-score-14-tries-in-record-breaking-thrashing-of-bristol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=1711","title":{"rendered":"Northampton score 14 tries in record-breaking thrashing of Bristol"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveInsideSportNews\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sport<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>George Hendy ran in four tries as Gallagher Prem leaders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/northampton-saints\">Northampton Saints<\/a> confirmed their place in the play-offs with a 94-33 rout of Bristol.<\/p>\n<p>Saints scored 14 of the 19 tries and recorded the most first-half points scored by any team in Prem history (61) as they put their loss at Leicester emphatically behind them.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/sport\/rugby\/rugby-union\/bristol-bears-prem-rugby-rees-zammit-ilona-maher-b2967246.html\" title=\"Bristol Bears chief explains novel approach to player recruitment: \u2018We are a marketing agency that plays rugby\u2019\">Bristol\u2019s semi-final hopes now look in tatters<\/a> as they fell to a record league defeat and lie four points behind fourth-placed Exeter ahead of their match against Harlequins on Saturday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 hgHPbg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/06\/01KRPNN4779ZNPRWG1XN8NJAX1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/06\/01KRPNN4779ZNPRWG1XN8NJAX1.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/06\/01KRPNN4779ZNPRWG1XN8NJAX1.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A staggering scoreline was produced at Franklin's Gardens\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">A staggering scoreline was produced at Franklin&#8217;s Gardens<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->PA<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe were very disappointed last week,\u201d Northampton boss Phil Dowson said. \u201cWe were well and truly hammered at (Leicester) Tigers and that hurt and I think you probably saw how much that hurt today.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI thought we reflected really well on that game in our preparation for it and actually how we\u2019ve been playing for the last couple of weeks and what it means to get momentum and confidence back into a group.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A crazy night started with Northampton striking with just over three minutes played, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/henry-pollock\">Henry Pollock<\/a>\u2019s long pass led to Hendy scoring down the left.<\/p>\n<p>Bristol quickly levelled when Harry Thacker squeezed over, but Saints were just as swift in retaking the lead when Rory Hutchinson ran in after his side won possession deep in Bears territory.<\/p>\n<p>The hosts had a third try after 11 minutes when Fin Smith\u2019s pass meant for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/tommy-freeman\">Tommy Freeman<\/a> went to ground, but no knock-on meant Callum Chick could kick ahead before grounding the ball.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 bXIedv\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/2276461664..\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/2276461664..?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/2276461664..?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bristol's hopes of a top-four finish were dealt a huge blow\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Bristol&#8217;s hopes of a top-four finish were dealt a huge blow<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Getty<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Bears were soon back within five points at 19-14 when a swift move involving Harry Randall and Rich Lane led to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/louis-rees-zammit\">Louis Rees-Zammit<\/a> flying in to score down the right.<\/p>\n<p>But their hopes of a turnaround took a big blow when Kalaveti Ravouvou was sin-binned for deliberately knocking on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/george-furbank\">George Furbank<\/a>\u2019s pass inside his own 22.<\/p>\n<p>Northampton were ruthless in his absence, with Alex Coles securing the bonus point on his return from injury before Archie McParland picked up Freeman\u2019s loose pass to run in his side\u2019s fifth try.<\/p>\n<p>Hendy\u2019s ball inside to set up Furbank made it a half-dozen before half an hour had been played and there was not let-up after Ravouvou\u2019s return as Hutchinson had an easy finish for his second.<\/p>\n<p>Quick passing from Coles and Chick then led to Josh Kemeny running in untouched before Hendy finished the half as he started to make it nine first-half tries for Northampton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 ehDwdd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/01KRPKWE1KJBZ8W96AC9B82T6Z.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/01KRPKWE1KJBZ8W96AC9B82T6Z.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/01KRPKWE1KJBZ8W96AC9B82T6Z.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"George Hendy crossed four times for Saints\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">George Hendy crossed four times for Saints<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->PA<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>With Joe Batley in the sin bin for Bristol, for a late hit on Smith, there were three more scores in the first six minutes of the second half as Pollock and a second for McParland for Saints sandwiched a Randall effort for the ragged Bears.<\/p>\n<p>Hendy made it a hat-trick by running in the hosts\u2019 12th try in the 52nd minute, but after Northampton lock Ed Prowse was yellow-carded, Luka Ivanishvili snuck in for Bristol\u2019s fourth.<\/p>\n<p>The Bears had another consolation when Noah Heward scored under the posts, but after Matias Moroni saw yellow for tripping Pollock, Sam Graham stretched over for Saints before Hendy\u2019s fourth completed the rout.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve had some nights like that before, but that was probably the worst.\u201c <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/pat-lam\">Pat Lam<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/bristol-bears\">Bristol Bears<\/a> director of rugby, assessed. \u201cFirstly, well done Saints, they were on fire. They made the most of every opportunity \u2013 turnovers, yellow cards \u2013 and they played really well, while we obviously couldn\u2019t stop it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"5\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 jWaxrD\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/2276438778..\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/2276438778..?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/16\/07\/2276438778..?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"It was a bruising night for the Bristol Bears\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">It was a bruising night for the Bristol Bears<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Getty<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt was just one of those nights and certainly in rugby terms, that was one of the hardest ones. But in life terms, there are a lot of tougher things I\u2019ve faced.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think you\u2019ve got to give context to where we\u2019re at and the challenges that we\u2019ve faced and we\u2019ve adapted really well. Throughout the whole season there are a few clubs that have struggled with injuries and the boys have challenged well to get where we are.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut this happens in life: you get a bad day and that was a really bad day, an embarrassing day and I\u2019ve already apologised to our supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>PA<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54.jpg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-768x512.jpg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-1024x683.jpg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54.jpg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54.jpg",1200,800,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-1115x715.jpg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/01KRPKWG81P23J399WX3FJXB54-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?cat=6\" rel=\"category\">Sports<\/a>","tag_info":"Sports","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1711"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1711\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}