Six tries help keep the pace with rivals
Bath Rugby kept pace with their rivals for the play-off places in the Gallagher Premiership with a comprehensive 40-15 victory over Worcester Warriors on Wednesday night.
The Blue, Black and White remain in fifth place in the table with three games of the regular season remaining as their top four rivals also all won in Round 19.
Bath crossed the whitewash through Tom Ellis, Tom de Glanville, Josh Matavesi and Jack Walker while Elliott Stooke scored a brace.
Matavesi finished with ten points from the kicking tee as well.
Worcester scored tries through Billy Searle and Ed Fidow with both scores coming from Bath errors.
Rugby writers Sam Bytheway and John Evely take a closer look at the individual performances at The Rec.
■ 15. Tom de Glanville - 7 Bath’s young full-back was impressive in attack, taking his try well. De Glanville also made an impact defensively, pressuring Chris Pennell numerous times throughout the first half. He looks to the manner born.
■ 14. Semesa Rokoduguni - 7 Still no try for Rokoduguni but he was still prominent in most of his side’s attacking play.
The Fijian produced a moment of magic in attack in the build-up to Josh Matavesi’s try which was his stand-out moment.
■ 13. max Clark - 7 On an increasingly rare Premiership start Clark put in an all-round solid performance. The outside centre fronted up defensively against his opposite number Ollie Lawrence, who once again impressed by never truly broke away, and also looked threatening in attack, particularly in the build-up to de Glanville’s try when his burst got the Blue, Black and White within touching distance of the line.
■ 12. Cameron Redpath - 8 Arguably his strongest performance to date in a Bath shirt. The centre was excellent in attack beating a game high number of defenders as well as being directly involved in the buildup to Tom Ellis’s try early in the first half. Redpath was also strong defensively earning his side a penalty when jackling at the ruck.
■ 11. Gabriel hamer-webb - 8 19-year old Hamer-webb showed his defensive quality throughout the game making the most tackles out of his back teammates. The young winner also was impressive under the high ball in both attack and defence. ■ 10. Josh matavesi - 8 Once again Josh Matavesi played the full 80 with a smile on his face and showed his quality throughout.
Despite some errors from the boot, both off the tee and out of hand, Matavesi was outstanding in attack with his kick to Cam Redpath and his power shown when scoring his own try was exceptional, bouncing two attempted tacklers while spinning through the contract and then racing away.
■ 9. Will Chudley - 7 Chudley’s pace in attack set the tempo for Bath’s attack throughout his time on the field.
The scrum-half was also impressive from the boot and was a big influence on all aspects of his team’s game.
■ 1. lewis Boyce - 7 Boyce was dominant in the scrum, despite conceding a penalty against him. The loose-head also fronted up defensively and was effective in his side’s utilization of the driving maul.
■ 2. Jack Walker - 7 Not the best of starts to the game for Walker when he threw the intercepting pass for Billy Searle’s try but the rest of his performance made up for it. The hooker was strong in attack and defence and was powerful in the driving maul that led to his try.
■ 3. Christian Judge - 7 Despite conceding a penalty in the scrum early-on the tighthead prop was strong defensively making nine tackles during his time on the pitch.
■ 4. Josh mcnally - 7 It was an auspicious night for the lock who led Bath for the first time. Mcnally had a relatively quiet game in attack and defence making just seven carries and two tackles, however he led his forward pack well in an almost unstoppable driving maul.
■ 5. elliott Stooke - 9 As well as being excellent in defence, making ten tackles, Stooke stood out in attack scoring two tries, both of which he took well. The second-row’s first try showed his power when he drove over from close range and his second showed his ability with ball in hand to find his way through Worcester’s defence thanks to a huge hand off on his opposite number in the Warriors pack who was made to look lightweight in comparison to Stooke.
■ 6. Tom ellis - 9 Ellis was outstanding from the first minute with a strong run in the opening stages. The flanker took his try really well and was dangerous going forward throughout. Ellis also stood out defensively in both the tackle and the ruck making 12 tackles and being a nuisance in the ruck. He was named the official man of the match by BT Sport.
■ 7. miles Reid - 8 Reid had another solid game, proving himself to be an irritant to Worcester in the rucks, earning his side a number of penalties and turnovers. Reid and Ellis form a nicely balanced backrow. ■ 8. Zach mercer - 8 As always with Mercer, he drove his team forward in attack, carrying strongly and beating 12 Worcester defenders. In defence, Mercer won turnovers for his side and was strong in the tackle. The number eight also played a key role cleaning up messy ball and getting Bath moving forward again.
■ Replacements: 16 Ross Batty - 6 , 17 Juan Schoeman - 6, 18 Kieran Verden - 6, 19 Mike Williams - 6, 20 Sam Underhill - 6, 21 Max Green - 7, 22 Orlando Bailey - 6, 23 Jonathan Joseph - 6.