FIN Smith impressed on debut for Northampton Saints as his side beat Bristol Bears 45-31 in a high-scoring affair on Saturday afternoon at Franklin's Gardens.

Smith was 100% from the tee, converting all six of his kicks at goal as well as registering an assist in a stand-out 56 minutes of action.

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell sparked a first-half try blitz by crossing twice in six minutes.

Wing Ollie Sleightholme and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto followed suit before the break as Northampton secured a bonus point after just 32 minutes.

Matt Proctor added a fifth touchdown early in the second period.

Bristol led through a fourth-minute Harry Thacker try that Callum Sheedy converted, but they had no answer to Saints' all-court game when it clicked and was supremely marshalled by Mitchell.

The visitors performed much better in the second half as Sheedy converted his own 53rd-minute try and flanker Magnus Bradbury also scored. Thacker then crossed for his second touchdown that AJ MacGinty converted, securing a losing bonus, and MacGinty claimed a fifth Bristol try during the closing seconds, but Saints were never seriously threatened.

James Grayson converted his own late try for the home side, with Northampton following Newcastle, Exeter and Gloucester in piling Premiership misery on Pat Lam's team, who have not won in the league since toppling London Irish five weeks ago.