It took an amalgam of acceleration, power and balance from the flamehaired 21-year-old wing to set up the winning try for scrum-half Alex Mitchell, after surging 40 metres to torch the hopes of a fiercely combative Bath outfit.
Hendy had come on four minutes into the second half, just as 14-man Bath were in the process of dragging Northampton into deep water, despite losing loose-head Beno Obano only 20 minutes into the match for a high shoulder to the head of Saints No.8 Juarno Augustus.
Bath’s grit and determination saw them make light of the handicap as they bottled-up the best attacking team in the Premiership to take a 21-18 lead through a 66th minute Finn Russell penalty – and they looked capable of pulling off an epic against the-odds victory.
Northampton’s problems appeared to be compounded when fly-half Fin Smith, the league’s players player of the year, hobbled off with a leg injury 10 minutes from time. However, with Saints skipper George Furbank taking over at fly-half, and desperation building in Northampton’s ranks, they managed to pull it out of the fire, thanks to Hendy’s inspirational charge.
Receiving the ball from Furbank a couple of metres inside the Bath half, Hendy attacked the channel between Ollie Lawrence and Will Muir, and as the Bath pair tried to snare him he shrugged them off. Hitting full stride Hendy tore into the Bath 22, and as he was clattered by the cover he showed great strength to stay on his feet long enough to loop the crucial scoring pass inside to Mitchell.
The England scrum-half had not had the easiest of afternoons with his opposite number, Ben Spencer, and the outstanding Bath flankers, Sam Underhill and Ted Hill, hounding him around the breakdown. However, he had the legs and lungs to track Hendy’s break and collect his pass to touch down near the posts.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin June 09, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin June 09, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
