Bath time is no splash for Fearn’s boys
IT was a night full of frustration for Northumbria Sport head of rugby Darren Fearn after he watched his M1 side throw away a 16-point lead to lose 44-36 against Bath University, writes OSCAR MAUNG-HALEY.
Heading into the tie, Fearn’s side knew a bonus-point win would take them back into the top four of the BUCS Super Rugby table with two games left.
The visitors made a flying start, full-back Wil Partington converting a penalty with just a minute gone.
After a fluctuating first half, it looked as though Bath would be heading into the break with an eight-point lead - only for them to be pegged back thanks to a Northumbria try converted by Josh
Bragman to cut the visitors’ lead to 20-19.
In the second half, Northumbria came out all guns blazing as they looked to take the lead back from Bath.
Tries from Tom Galbraith, George Wacokecoke and Joe Pickering looked to have given Northumbria an unassailable lead midway through the second half, Fearn’s side leading 36-20.
However, Bath - largely thanks to the efforts of Partington managed to claw their way back into the game before going on to take the lead again with just minutes left.
When the full-time whistle went, Fearn’s side found itself on the end of only its second home loss of the season.
Fearn said: “We had a chance to take a shot at the posts when we were up by 16 and we did not take it – I don’t know what we were thinking at the time.
“In the second half, especially at the start, we really controlled the game.
“At pivotal times, we need to have calm heads.
“At times, we looked brilliant – some of the boys did well and we looked a real handful.
“We just lacked energy and probably a bit of bottle.
“The season is not over but it looks like we will not finish in the in the top four now, which is very disappointing with this bunch of players.”