Mallinder frustrated as Saints fail to secure bonus point

Northampton coach Jim Mallinder was pleased to see his side take the points from their Aviva Premiership clash with Bath on Saturday, but admitted he was frustrated that the win did not come by a bigger margin.

Thanks to a star performance from George Pisi, the Saints were in complete control at Franklin’s Gardens as they opened up a 22-3 lead at the interval.

They carelessly lost control and received two needless yellow cards from referee David Rose, allowing the visitors back into the match, but held on for a 22-13 victory.

“I’m pleased with the win but frustrated not to pick up a bonus point,” Mallinder said.

“We were very good in the first half – scoring three tries – and at half-time I told them to do exactly the same, but in the second half we forced it too much.”

Bath head coach Sir Ian McGeechan said: “I’m very pleased with our second-half performance. Winning the second half 10-0 was a good comeback but it was not quite enough, but I couldn’t fault our attitude.”