Northampton win rugby's Challenge Cup

Northampton beat fellow English club Bath 30-16 to win European rugby's second-tier Challenge Cup final.

Northampton Saints celebrate after beating Bath

Northampton beat English club Bath 30-16 to win European rugby's second-tier Challenge Cup final. (AAP)

Stephen Myler's relentless goalkicking accuracy shot down Bath and gave Northampton victory in European rugby's second-tier Challenge Cup final at Cardiff Arms Park.

Myler booted six penalties from six attempts and converted substitute Phil Dowson's 71st-minute try for a 20-point haul as Saints prevailed 30-16, with fullback Ben Foden confirming victory when he touched down four minutes from time.

In contrast, Myler's opposite number George Ford missed three successive penalty chances on the artificial playing surface after converting Anthony Watson's first-half touchdown.

England coach Stuart Lancaster looked on as Ford, who will miss the three-Test tour of New Zealand next month due to impending shoulder surgery, lost his radar.

He did kick three penalties but Myler, who looks set to be among England's No.10s in All Blacks country, showed him how it should be done with a masterclass.

It ended Northampton's run of four successive defeats in major finals - one Heineken, one Premiership and two LV Cups - and they will not be short on confidence heading into next weekend's English title showpiece against Saracens at Twickenham.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world