Northampton Saints 23, London Welsh 16

LONDON Welsh maintained their excellent start to the Aviva Premiership campaign with a losing bonus point at Franklin's Gardens today.

It was a topsy-turvy clash full of forward power and numerous penalties, but the end result will do the Exiles' survival hopes no harm at all.

Welsh's tally came via a penalty and 11 points from the boot of fly half Gordon Ross.

Northampton recovered from a slow start to have the better of the play without ever totally dominating the stubborn Welsh.

They too bagged a penalty try, with wing Ken Pisi also going over and fly half Ryan Lamb kicking 16 points.

See Monday's Oxford Mail for full report and reaction