Bath Sporting Round-Up

This week saw our Bath teams go up against tricky opposition with differing outcomes.

It was another strong weekend from Bath City who continued their impressive run of form in the National League South. Bath Rugby looked to be cruising to a dominant victory over Northampton Saints but the tale of two halves saw a comeback for the ages. 

The Romans rise to the occasion

Bath played host to Weymouth in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, Bath would be hoping to keep the cup run going. 

The hosts opened the game controlling most of the ball and would have the first chance of the game in the 10th minute; Scott Wilson forced a save out of Weymouth keeper Gerard Benfield. 

Dan Hayfield would have two chances in quick succession, his first came from Ewan Clark crossing the ball to him but Hayfield slipped at the vital moment. Then just minutes later he would get another chance but Benfield would be on hand to save again. 

It would be third times the charm for Hayfield a few minutes later when he met a Luke Russe cross and headed home to give Bath the lead. 

Skipper Kieran Parselle's deflected effort nearly made it 2-0 but it just flashed wide of the post. 

Following that effort, the first half would come to a close with the Romans in control. 

The second half did not see much action until the 68th minute when the visitors had a big chance to level the fixture, a scramble in the Bath box saw the ball being cleared off the line and away. 

Wilson, who had the first chance of the game, was on hand to finish the tie-off, he tucked home from a Jordan Dyer header that rebounded off the bar to Wilson who couldn’t miss. 

The visitors were not down and out and got a late goal through captain Tom Bearwish but it was nothing more than a consolation and Bath sealed their spot in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. 

Saints comeback stuns Bath

Bath travelled to Northampton for their next game in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Fresh off the back of the demolition that was Bath vs London Scottish hope was high for another win. 

The game started off perfectly for Bath, Tom Dunn scored just two minutes into the game. Ben Spencer converted making it seven nil and Ted Hill would add a second try shortly after and the conversion was good making it 14-0 not long into the game. 

The first half was all Bath, Max Ojomoh scored Bath's third try of the game in the 22nd minute and Spencer's conversion put Bath up 21-0. 

Northampton got their first try of the game through Tommy Freeman with Fin Smith on hand to convert for the Saint's first points of the game. 

The tide would not turn in the Saint's favour however, Tom de Glanville would complete Bath's fourth try of the half and secure the bonus points. Spencer's conversion restored the Bath lead over the Saints to 21 points. 

Ethan Waller kept the Saints in touch with another try before Trevor Davison would bring Northampton right back into contention adding another try and making the score 28-19.

The tide had definitely turned but Bath, right on half time, scored again through Sam Underhill, with Spencer keeping his 100% conversion record for the game. The sides went in at the half 35-19. 

Bath started the second half the way they ended the first by de Glanville getting his second try of the game making it 42-19. 

Northampton would reply soon after through Freeman
 who crossed the line for his second try of the game, but the conversion was missed giving Bath some hope of maintaining their lead. 

The Saints would not stop and the remaining minutes of the game saw them complete a remarkable comeback, Curtis Langdon, Tom Seabrook and Freeman who completed his third try of the game and the comeback making it 43-42 to the Saints. 

A sickening defeat on the road for Bath who suffered their second loss of the season. Going in at half time it looked comfortable for Bath, but the Saints could not be stopped once they started scoring in the second half.