Northampton Saints storm to a comprehensive 50-5 win over the Bulls in the Investec Champions Cup, with George Hendy delivering a hat-trick as the Saints collected maximum points from their opening two pool games. The day belonged to Northampton, who unleashed eight tries and a commanding second-half display to break the Bulls after a closely fought first 40 minutes.
The Saints’ forwards and backs combined to create scoring chances throughout, with Ollie Sleightholme touching down twice and Henry Pollock adding the bonus-point try before the hour mark. Hendy joined the party with three tries, while Alex Coles and Sleightholme completed the scoring in quick succession late on. Fin Smith contributed a steady 10 points from the kicking tee as Northampton moved top of Pool Four on points difference, level on ten with Bordeaux, who hold the head-to-head advantage.
The Bulls started well and led 14-5 at halftime, but a crucial 53rd-minute yellow card for Bulls prop Alulutho Tshakweni for a trip altered the match’s momentum. Northampton capitalized on the extra man, opening the floodgates in the second half as they racked up three tries in five minutes and never looked back.
Early on, Pollock sparked the Saints’ breakthrough by breaking through and setting Sleightholme away for the opening score. The Bulls answered with pace of their own when Stravino Jacobs sprinted in after a Sleightholme error allowed a quick counter just before the mid-point, drawing level at 7-5 then 14-5 shortly after the break as Hendy crossed in the corner following a slick Mitchell feed and a Smith cross-field kick.
Saints grew dominantly in possession and territory, with Fin Smith orchestrating many of the forward-moving sequences. A well-placed pass and a precise left-footed kick from Smith helped Hendy collect his second try, extending the lead to 19-5. The Saints’ discipline and relentless pressure paid off as Pollock added the bonus-point try before Coles and Sleightholme crossed in rapid succession, effectively putting the game beyond the Bulls’ reach.
Hendy sealed his hat-trick with twelve minutes remaining, and Josh Kemeny finished off the afternoon for Northampton with the eighth try in the final minute.
With this result, Northampton sit in a strong position in Pool Four as they prepare for a replay of last season’s final against Bordeaux in January, followed by a home fixture against Scarlets on 18 January. The Bulls remain on one point from two matches and will host Bristol before venturing to Pau.
Lineups (selected):
Northampton: Furbank; Sleightholme, Hutchinson, Dingwall, Hendy; F Smith, Mitchell; Fischetti, Wright, Davison, Coles, Van der Mescht, Kemeny, Pearson, Pollock
Replacements: R Smith, Iyogun, Kundiona, Munga, Prowse, Graham, James, Thame
Bulls: Williams; Petersen, Gans, Vorster, Jacobs; Wolhuter, Burger; Tshakweni, Van der Merwe, Smith, Wiese, Van Heerden, Coetzee, Ludwig, Louw
Replacements: Else, Sithole, Mchunu, Gumede, Carr, Papier, Johannes, Van Niekerk
Yellow card: Tshakweni (53)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco); Assistants: Rob McDowell (Sco), Dave Sutherland (Sco); TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
