Max Pearce scored a hat-trick of tries as the University of Bath gained the upper hand in the race for the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Super Rugby title.
The University of Bath closed in on the BUCS Super Rugby championship by beating Loughborough University on Wednesday 4th March
Pearce’s treble came as the Somerset side beat Loughborough University at the Team Bath Sports Training Village on Wednesday 4th March in their penultimate fixture, knocking the East Midlanders off the top of the table in the process.
Bath’s 40-31 victory in the Round 17 match means they are now three points clear at the summit – and a win at fourth-placed Durham University on Wednesday 11th March will guarantee them the crown.
Aaron James, Bath’s head of rugby, said: “We had to get the win [over Loughborough] and we’ve given ourselves a shot.
“We’re closer [to the title] than we’ve ever been but it’s so far from being done – next week is going to be tough. The boys will celebrate this, as they should, but then we’re back on track.
“It was great to put on a display that was entertaining for the people who came out to watch us.
“That support from right across the Bath community is really important to us – it humbles you and we’re really proud. We’ll try to give them a prize next week.”
Pearce added: “It was a good game, fair play to Loughborough. They’re a class outfit and they made it hard for us.
“The first half was nip and tuck but we changed our game plan a little in the second half, went more direct, and the last quarter really showed how hard we train at the weekend.”
The hosts went into the match a point behind Loughborough and knew they had to record a 10th successive league victory to keep alive their title hopes.
They made a sluggish start, visiting scrum-half Rhys Hulse touching down inside the opening two minutes and Ben Taylor adding the extras, but Bath got back on terms soon after. Co-captain Pearce dummied his way over and James Linegar booted the two points.
Loughborough restored their lead twice more, Archie Kean and Eric Nixon going over and both tries being converted.
But Bath responded through replacement Roman Andrews and, on the stroke of half-time, Pearce. Linegar converted the first of those tries to leave the home team just 21-19 adrift at the break.
Loughborough scored the first points of the second half, Ralfie Willott touching down from a diving maul.
However, tactical changes helped Bath get on top – and a superb team move ended with Andrews scoring a try with 20 minutes remaining. James Beverley’s conversion levelled the scores at 26-26.
Shortly afterwards, the hosts moved ahead. Wing Harry Walker showed blistering pace and strength to surge over at the end of another flowing attack, Beverley majoring.
Pearce completed his hat-trick with a 72nd-minute score, Beverley again successful from the tee.
But the last word went to Loughborough, Tom Riman touching down.
University of Bath starting XV: 1 Jacob Yates, 2 Max Pearce, 3 Alfie Griffin, 4 Albert Dmitriev, 5 Isaac Sprenger, 6 Fred Kempton, 7 Iwan Coyle, 8 Will Keylock, 9 Isaac Mears, 10 James Linegar, 11 Oli Sedgwick, 12 Jack Harrison, 13 Jamie Howick, 14 Harry Walker, 15 Freddy Rossigneux.
University of Bath replacements: 16 Evan Gallagher, 17 Ollie Critchley, 18 Diamond Ayiehfor, 19 Tom Hilton, 20 Ollie Read, 21 Roman Andrews, 22 James Beverley, 23 Rocky Prowse.
Loughborough University starting XV: 1 Eric Nixon, 2 Ralfie Willott, 3 Tom Dye, 4 Owain Evans, 5 Jake Bausor, 6 Keanu Coetsee, 7 Tayo Adegbemile, 8 Yande Nkonge, 9 Rhys Hulse, 10 Ben Taylor, 11 Kit Temperley, 12 Tom Riman, 13 Archie Kean, 14 Ben Turpin, 15 Elliot Gourlay.
Loughborough University replacements: 16 Henry Bonetti, 17 Oran Murphy, 18 Connor van Lille, 19 Mathis Dehauteur, 20 William Peart Smith, 21 Theo Mayell, 22 Matt Wickham, 23 Jack Howells.
