The University of Bath will go into their table-top tussle with Loughborough University in high spirits after a hard-earned bonus-point victory in Wales on Wednesday 25th February.
The University of Bath are gearing up for their British Universities & Colleges Sport Super Rugby table-top tussle with Loughborough University on Wednesday 4th March
Bath’s 26-17 success at Swansea University means they remain just one point behind British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Super Rugby leaders Loughborough ahead of the sides’ potential title decider at the Team Bath Sports Training Village on Wednesday 4th March.
The East Midlanders will go into the Round 17 match with 70 points from their 16 outings, 14 of which have brought wins.
Second-placed Bath, with 69 points to their name, have won 13 of their 16 fixtures.
Sam Winters and James Linegar – Bath Rugby players who turned out in the PREM Rugby Cup Round 9 tie at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday 21st February – returned to the guests’ starting XV at Swansea.
And the Blue, Black & White duo combined to hand the visitors a fifth-minute lead, full-back Winters touching down and fly-half Linegar adding the extras.
Swansea responded with a try from captain Wills Austin.
But Bath forced a penalty try just before the half-hour mark to take a 14-5 lead into the break.
That was overturned inside the opening 20 minutes of the second half, as Elliot Smith touched down before a penalty try put Swansea 17-14 up.
Bath dug deep and a huge line-out drive ended with co-captain Max Pearce burrowing over for a try which gave the visitors a two-point advantage.
Pearce was then replaced by Wales U20 hooker Oscar Thomas, who scored moments after coming on to secure a crucial bonus point.
Linegar’s conversion completed the scoring as Bath held on for a victory which guaranteed a top-two league finish – their highest placing in the Super Rugby era.
University of Bath starting XV: 1 Alfie Griffin, 2 Max Pearce, 3 Henry Mountford, 4 Albert Dmitriev, 5 Isaac Sprenger, 6 Fred Kempton, 7 Iwan Coyle, 8 Will Keylock, 9 Isaac Mears, 10 James Linegar, 11 Rocky Prowse, 12 Jamie Howick, 13 Jack Harrison, 14 Freddy Rossigneux, 15 Sam Winters.
University of Bath replacements: 16 Oscar Thomas, 17 Jacob Yates, 18 Diamond Ayiehfor, 19 Tom Hilton, 20 Ollie Read, 21 Roman Andrews, 22 James Beverley, 23 Luc Anfield.
Kick-off against Loughborough on 4th March will be at 6.30pm – and spectators can attend for free.
