George Hendy’s late attempt ensured a successful begin for final season’s crushed Investec Champions Cup finalists Northampton as they noticed off Pau 35-27 at Stade du Hameau.
With the rating locked at 27-27 with two minutes remaining, wing Hendy raced in on the nook to edge Saints forward earlier than Fin Smith’s penalty within the dying moments sealed his aspect’s thrilling win of their opening pool sport.
Pau performed their half in a see-saw battle, whereas Northampton crucially overcame the lack of Australian wing James Ramm, who scored two of Saints’ 5 tries earlier than receiving a pink card early within the second half.
Northampton trailed 14-12 at half-time after twice responding to tries from Pau skipper Facundo Isa and wing Gregoire Arfeuil with scores of their very own via Ramm and centre Fraser Dingwall.
After Ramm went over for his second rating, Axel Desperes’ penalty for Pau levelled it at 17-17 and, following Ramm’s sending-off for a deal with within the air, Arfeuil went over for his second attempt, which was transformed, to place Pau 24-17 forward.
However Alex Mitchell’s transformed rating levelled it up at 24-24 and, after Smith and Desperes had traded penalties, Hendy went over for the decisive attempt earlier than Smith’s second penalty within the dying moments sealed a hard-fought win.
