Ponte made the long trip to Northampton and were mightily unlucky to come away empty handed in a game where the result was in doubt up to the very end of the game. Ponte got off to a terrible start conceding a try in less than a minute after a knock on from the kick off. If the hosts thought it was going to be easy, they were in for a shock as Ponte hit back with one of the best tries they have scored this season, going through twenty error free phases for prolific number eight Sam Millard to go over for a converted try.

Playing up the slope and into the wind Ponte needed to retain possession but a conceded turnover and a kick over, with no defence at home, put Northampton in for their second, this time converted. Ponte were playing well, and more good ball retention led to a string of penalties, which in turn allowed Liam Kay to fire a superb flat pass for Millard to score his second converted try.

Northampton had a try disallowed for a marginal forward pass but from the scrum were gifted a try as a dropped ball over the line was gratefully dived on. Northampton added a penalty on the stroke of half time to leave the match finely balanced at twenty two points to fourteen with Ponte benefitting from wind and slope advantage second half.

There was a need for discipline, and unfortunately two yellow cards to one left Ponte struggling and the hosts worked their way up field and made their man advantage pay with a bonus point converted try.

This Ponte team never give up and they hit back straight away. A typical Brodie Matthews turnover and a few forward pick and drives allowed Calum Rodgers to reach out and score, a deserved reward for an outstanding game.

With time running out and a six point deficit Ponte got their wish of a five metres scrum. The ball was won but with close in expert prop Hough subbed off, a lack of patience when faced with good defence led to Kay throwing a hail Mary pass which was intercepted and a possible five point victory turned into a zero point defeat in the blink of an eye.

It was tough on Ponte who showed why they are league champions with a highly skilled and determined performance. Best on the day, in what was an all round team performance, was Millard, Hough, Matthews and Rodgers in the forwards, with Kay, Dedicoat and Ketteridge standing out in the backs.

The defeat was a major setback to Ponte’s hopes of a Twickenham final but a home game with Leek a week on Saturday gives them a chance to get back in the race.