Hooker Dylan Hartley scored two tries as Northampton powered their way to a 32-22 bonus-point LV= Cup victory over a young Ospreys side at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

But despite the Saints fielding a strong side, including England's Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Hartley and Courtney Lawes and Tonga's Soane Tonga'uiha, they trailed the Ospreys 19-10 at the break.

The Ospreys, with fly-half Matthew Morgan controlling the game, were twice reduced to 14 men in a bad-tempered first half and were put under pressure up front.

But Morgan kicked four out of four first-half penalties and centre Sonny Parker picked off a pass from Russia wing Vasily Artemyev to score on the stroke of half-time.

Northampton responded, though, and Calum Clark added to Hartley's double and Artemyev's first-half score to turn the game around.

South African flanker Francois Louw scored on his debut as Bath maintained their impressive progress in the LV= Cup with a seven-try 46-13 thrashing of Worcester which sees them top Pool 1 with a maximum return.

Tom Heathcote, Matt Banahan, Jack Cuthbert, Ben Skirving, Ollie Woodburn and Nick Abendanon also went over with Heathcote adding four conversions and a penalty.

Josh Drauniniu crossed for Worcester with Joe Carlisle booting two penalties and a conversion.

Meanwhile, Fly-half Steffan Jones kicked a last minute penalty to earn Newport Gwent Dragons a dramatic 30-29 win over Wasps at Adams Park despite the Welsh side being outscored four tries to two.

PA Sport