Priestland puts boot into French as Bath squeeze home

RHYS PRIESTLAND was flawless from the tee as Bath started their Challenge Cup campaign with a tight but important win in France last night.

Semesa Rokodoguni scored Bath’s only try but it was Priestland and his seven from seven with the boot that did the damage even if they conceded three tries and had to defend their try-line until the very last play.

Welsh international Priestland put Bath in front early with a penalty but Bath found themselves trailing soon after as wing Romain Buros went over in the left corner for Pau and Brandon Fajardo converted from the touchline.

Priestland’s second penalty brought his side to within a point after Ben Mowen tackle Jonathan Joseph in the air.

With Jonny May doing his England ambitions a whole lot of good scoring for Gloucester 70 miles down the road earlier in the day, Rokodoguni was keen to show his array of skills and 25 minutes in he beat two defenders with ease to score in the corner and edge Bath back in front.

Priestland converted and then kicked his third penalty of the half to give Bath a comfortable 16-7 lead.

But they ended up being

only two points up at the break as from a turnover Pau found space down the right flank and Sean Dougall resisted a tackle from Priestland to touch down for a try that was converted by Fajardo.

The second half was a tight affair with Pau coming close to take the lead early on but Fajardo was short from a longrange penalty attempt.

Three penalties from Priestland against one from Fajardo had Bath lead 25-17, his last one coming after Mowen was sent to the bin.

But Aled Brew joined Mowen on the naughty step being found guilty of a high tackle and it gave the hosts some hopes of a comeback.

Watisoni Votu brought Pau within striking range and they went for one last assault on the Bath line but Fajardo dropped the ball with the line and the win in sight to the relief of Bath.