Bath’s defeat says more about oppo’s shortcomings than their own

Two tries in the closing stages denied Bath Rugby’s youngsters a remarkable victory over a vastly experienced Exeter Chiefs team in the PREM Rugby Cup.

Two tries in the closing stages by their opponents Exeter Chiefs meant Bath Rugby’s youngsters missed out on a remarkable victory at The Rec in the PREM Rugby Cup | Photo © Richard Briggs

The Devonians, with a near full-strength side, spared their blushes by scoring in the 76th and 79th minutes at The Rec on Saturday 20th September to turn a 14-11 deficit into a 23-14 victory, giving them revenge over the Blue, Black & White for defeat in last term’s final.

But Johann van Graan’s team can hold their heads high – and home fans in the capacity crowd of 14,509 clearly appreciated their efforts which almost inflicted a sobering reverse on the Sandy Park outfit.

The Chiefs had 71% of the possession and 86% of the territory and entered the home 22 on 17 occasions – the hosts, with an average age of 21-and-a-half, managed only two incursions.

But the Blue, Black & White showed great potential in the Pool A encounter, scored two good tries and almost took a major scalp. The result says a lot more about Exeter’s shortcomings than it does about Bath’s.

Conditions were difficult. With the floodlights on from the start, the players – and supporters in the East Stand and North Stand – were battered by spells of wind and rain that left the pitch very slippery.

Bath, who are continuing their policy of focusing on youth in this competition, gave debuts to fly-half James Linegar and replacements Alfie Griffin (prop), Max Pearce (hooker) and Alex Ridgway (back row).

The first half of the Round 2 clash was drab.

Exeter took a fourth-minute lead when Henry Slade booted a 23-metre penalty from in front of the posts.

But there was little more of note until the 31st minute, when the Chiefs’ Rusi Tuima was yellow carded, following the intervention of television match official Dan Jones, after shoulder-charging Austin Emens into touch – a misdemeanour that prompted scuffles involving most of the players. And Bath took advantage of their numerical superiority.

In the 32nd minute, Emens passed to Thompson Cowan who outpaced the defence and crossed under the posts. Linegar added the extras and the hosts led 7-3.

A 27-metre penalty from the right by Slade cut the deficit to one point five minutes before half-time.

The fans in the uncovered stands would have appreciated the interval sunshine. But any smiles resulting from that were wiped away when Exeter regained the initiative in the 59th minute, Dan John scoring from close range in the left corner. Slade failed from the tee and the Chiefs were 11-7 up.

However, Bath stunned their guests in the 63rd minute with a second converted try to go 14-11 ahead.

Exeter spilled possession and Linegar grabbed the ball and found Will Butt who released Louie Hennessey to burst forward from seven metres and cross to the right of the posts. Linegar booted the conversion.

But the game began to swing the Chiefs’ way for the decisive time in the 74th minute, when Mikey Summerfield was sin binned. A minute later, referee Craig Maxwell-Keys brandished a yellow card at Scott Kirk, leaving Bath with only 13 players.

Could the hosts hold out, with Exeter piling on the pressure?

The inevitable happened in the 76th minute, when the visitors’ Joseph Dweba scored on the left. Slade’s conversion attempt rebounded off the left post – and at 16-14 down, Bath were still in the match.

But the Blue, Black & White’s hopes were extinguished when, in the 79th minute, Exeter’s Stephen Varney touched down on the right. Slade majored to take the Chiefs nine points clear. At the final whistle, Rob Baxter’s players knew they had got out of jail.

But Bath are not all about winning trophies. They are also about building for the future. By giving youngsters their chance in the PREM Rugby Cup, the club are doing just that. And without wanting to belittle the Blue, Black & White’s achievements in lifting the cup last season, much bigger prizes lie in wait.

Bath starting XV: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Kieran Verden, 4 Harvey Cuckson, 5 Ewan Richards, 6 Ethan Staddon, 7 Thomson Cowan, 8 Arthur Green, 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 10 James Linegar, 11 Tyler Offiah, 12 Will Butt, 13 Louie Hennessey, 14 Austin Emens, 15 Jack Woods.

Bath replacements: 16 Max Pearce, 17 Mikey Summerfield, 18 Alfie Griffin, 19 Will Jeanes, 20 Alex Ridgway, 21 Neil le Roux, 22 Charlie Griffin, 23 George Timmins.

Exeter starting XV: 1 Kwenzo Blose, 2 Jack Yeandle, 3 Bachuki Tchumbadze, 4 Lewis Pearson, 5 Rusi Tuima, 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 8 Ross Vintcent, 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Harvey Skinner, 11 Dan John, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ben Hammersley, 14 Paul Brown-Bampoe, 15 Josh Hodge.

Exeter replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19 Andrea Zambonin, 20 Kane James, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Ben Coen, 23 Nick Lilley.

The Blue, Black & White’s Pol Roger Performance of the Match award went to Tom Carr-Smith.

Bath now turn their attention to the Gallagher PREM. They will begin their defence of the title when they face Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop Stadium on Friday 26th September (7.45pm).

Meanwhile, a strong Bath United side won 33-19 at Champ Rugby newcomers Worcester Warriors in a pre-season fixture on Friday 19th September.

Captain Ben Spencer (2), Guy Pepper, Tom Dunn and Vilikesa Sela scored Bath’s tries in the resurrected Warriors’ first game at Sixways Stadium since the club’s collapse in 2022.

United Starting XV: 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 3 Archie Griffin, 4 Ted Hill, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Miles Reid, 7 Guy Pepper, 8 Josh Bayliss, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Max Ojomoh, 11 Will Muir, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Henry Arundell.

United replacements: Henry Bartlett, Tom de Glanville, Tom Dunn, Dan Frost, Chris Harris, James Maloney, Isaac Mears, Ross Molony, Enoch Opoku-Gyamfi, Quinn Roux, Vilikesa Sela, Connor Treacey, Bernard van der Linde, Claudius Wheeler, Sam Winters.