SAINTS & SINNERS

Hero Lawes: I can't believe we won it

- ADAM HATHAWAY

Northampton 25

Bath 21

• And he admits: Today we were awful

COURTNEY LAWES signed off at Northampton in style, but was still fuming despite landing a second Premiership title.

The back row was part of Saints' last Premiership title-winning side in 2014 and repeated the trick in his 283rd and final appearance for the club - but it nearly ended in tears.

Bath fought like tigers after having prop Beno Obano red-carded for a headshot on Saints' No. 8 Juarno Augustus in the 21st minute.

But they came up just short as Lawes pocketed another medal before his move to France with Brive.

Finn Russell played like the million-pound man he is and flanker Sam Underhill terrorised Saints as Bath nearly pulled off a stunning victory.

But Alex Mitchell's 72nd-minute score left Bath on the canvas after Saints had been on the ropes for most of the match, despite having an extra man.

Saints felt the pressure of being favourites to win once Obano was given his marching orders and nearly blew it, leaving skipper Lawes furious.

Afterwards, he said: "I can't believe we won it. We tried so hard to lose it, but we did what we had to do.