There was enough sunshine and sand on the Memorial Ground to tempt you to think of better ways to spend a summer Saturday, but, hell, the M5 was gridlocked all the way to Devon and a pair of shades turned the pitch the colour of January mud. Besides, this was an absolute beauty of a game, a full-blooded ripper that contained a virtuoso performance by Felipe Contepomi.

The Argentine outside-half, who England will meet soon enough in Buenos Aires, scored all of Bristol's points, with two tries, two conversions and six penalties. Not only that, he made a tackle on Nick Beal that may have saved the game. And he kicked well from hand. A bit of a game, really.

The whole thing was top drawer. Northampton, who had lashed into London Irish in the quarters for not trying, could not repeat the accusation here. Bristol can only qualify for the Heineken by winning this contrivance of a Championship. They finished a full 33 points behind Leicester in the Premiership. But they are on fire at the moment, and managed to beat the Tigers in the quarters, albeit in a flood and in front of no crowd at Welford Road. The Championship is hard to love, but it sounds daft to be jaundiced after a day like this.

Even as the teams shared three penalties - 2-1 in Bristol's favour - in the opening period it was obvious that this was going to be special. Both teams were unforgiving at the ruck, unfettered with the ball in hand. Bristol seemed the more explosive in the loose and had Alex Brown doing well on the opposition throw, while Northampton had the edge at the scrummage.

After a multi-phased attack that spread and contracted up the field, Contepomi ran in the first try. He touched down and carried on running, a South American Forrest Gump who ended up in the rear row of the stand behind the goal, where he joined in the applause for his own try. He descended to slot the conversion. In fact, he didn't miss a thing all day.

Bristol, however, could not shake the Saints off. Straight from the restart, following a penalty that kept the gap at four points, Andrew Blowers was on the end of a sweep up half the field. Only a third penalty by Contepomi gave Bristol the edge at half-time.

They began the second half as if they intended to finish the proceedings as soon as possible. David Rees, the former England wing, had already caught the eye in the centre when he made a dazzling run up the field. From short range Contepomi finished the move.

Rees was then involved in defensive mode, racing back to prevent Craig Moir winning his own kick and chase. Bristol cleared, only for Beal to come straight back at them. Contepomi saved the day with a crunching tackle on the large full-back.

Now came the real drama. Neil McCarthy was sent to the sin bin for an early tackle on Moir. While he was away Bristol leaked two tries to Blowers and Grant Seely. By the time the hooker returned his team were trailing by a point.

Now for the second twist. Bristol hurled themselves at the line. Northampton seemed to be holding out, but even as referee Chris Wyatt was denying Matt Carrington and Rees tries for foot in touch and double action respectively, he was sending John Leslie to the bin for preventing release or something. It was all a bit fraught down there.

Leslie trudged off, Bristol's attacks only multiplied and Contepomi curled over three penalties. I hate to say this, for fearing of giving some bright spark the idea that domestic rugby in June is a good idea, but it was brilliant stuff. I can nearly not wait to get to Twickenham on Saturday.

Bristol: Best; Carrington, Rees, Little (capt), Christophers; Contepomi, Pichot; Crompton (Johnstone 48), McCarthy, Bergamaschi (Crompton 56), Archer (Sheridan 49), Brown, Short (Nelson 56), Lipman (Beattie 68), Sturnham.
Bristol Tries: Contepomi (2). Cons: Contepomi (2). Pens: Contepomi (6).
Northampton: Beal; Brooks, Tucker, Leslie, Moir; Grayson, Malone; Morris, Thompson, Stewart (Budgen 49), Phillips (Hunter 49), Brouzet, Blowers, Pountney (capt), Seely (Soden 68)
Northampton Tries: Blowers (2), Seely. Pens: Grayson (3).

Referee: C White (Cheltenham).
att: 5,292