Lam 'really proud' as Bears thrash the Saints

BRISTOL Bears head coach Pat Lam described his side's first-half performance as "brilliant" as they racked up 35 unanswered points on their way to a thumping 46-12 win over previously-unbeaten Northampton at Ashton Gate.

- ALAN BROWN at Ashton Gate

After Saints wing Edoardo Tordo was red carded for a dangerous tackle in the air in the first minute, the Bears blew their visitors away with five first-half tries before Saints improved after the break.

Scrumhalf Kieran Marmion touched down twice, while Tom Jordan, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Aidan Boshoff and Luka Ivanishvili also crossed, with Sam Worsley kicking five conversions and two penalties for a match tally of 16 points.

JJ van der Mescht and Tom Litchfield scored Saints' tries, one of which Fin Smith converted.

Lam said: "I'm really proud of the boys as we fought for everything, with the first half being brilliant.