League side’s first silverware
Bath Rugby League produced an entertaining display of expansive, attacking rugby to beat Cheltenham Phoenix 42-30 in a memorable West of England Championship Fives Grand Final in Bristol, writes Matt Anniss. The side scored eight tries in total, which was more than enough to secure the club’s first ever silverware. It was Cheltenham who started the brighter, though, opening the scoring on five minutes when Alex Ratcliffe crossed following a fine break by Hugh Howes. Sam Hughes slotted the extras. Bath hit back hard, taking the lead thanks to two tries in as many minutes. First, Ali Frost crossed unopposed, before man-of-thematch Connor Breen dived over following a thrilling break by impressive second-rower Ben Thyer. Leigh Wheatley converted both to give Bath a 12-6 lead. Less than three minutes later Cheltenham were once again level, Sam Hughes converting a fine solo score from Zack Taylor. An even period of forward-dominated play followed, before Bath once again edged ahead with two scores in the closing 13 minutes of the first half, both converted by the nerveless Breen. First, winger Luke Cador finished off an exhilarating team move, before Thyer barged his way over from ten metres out on the stroke of half-time. Cheltenham raised hopes of a brilliant second-half fight back when George Jewell dived over in the right corner just three minutes into the second half, with Sam Hughes adding a brilliant touchline conversion. However, Bath quickly reasserted their authority via the first of four consecutive tries that all but secured the game. First Breen scythed through the Cheltenham defence, before another unconverted score from Jordan Talbot stretched their lead to 32-18. Then, with valiant Cheltenham fading fast, scores from Jack Burnett – who received a superb inside pass from Breen – and Thyer secured victory. There was still time for Cheltenham to pull two tries back – both converted by Hughes – with Munro Third and Joe Hart crossing the whitewash in the final three minutes. They were more than deserved on the balance of play, but little more than consolation scores. Bath Rugby League Head Coach Alex Burns said: “This season has seen Bath make huge strides forward both on and off the pitch. The lads have been fantastic and deserve a lot of credit. “We’ve had tough times this season but we never stopped believing and we’re thrilled to bits. “We really did deserve it today we worked hard for each other and I thought we outplayed a very good Cheltenham team to be crowned West of England Championship Final winners.”