Bath weather fly-half storm to canter home
A MUSCULAR display by the Bath pack laid the foundations for a bonus-point win that got the West Country side’s season up and running.
After five matches behind closed doors at Sixways, Worcester put on a flag-waving show to welcome back 2,000 home supporters – but the party fell flat as Bath ran in three tries before half time.
The Blue, Black and Whites of Bath had been beaten black and blue in their opening two league fixtures, but with the instructions of superb scrum-half Ben Spencer ringing in their ears, the visiting pack took the game by the scruff of the neck midway through the first period.
However, Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper faces an anxious wait after both Josh Matavesi and Rhys Priestland were forced off the pitch in the opening ten minutes for head injury assessments. The absence of the playmakers triggered a backline reshuffle, which Bath handled serenely.
“They might both be available next week but the most important thing is looking after their health,” said Hooper. “We will look after them and see how they are in a couple of days.”
Bath’s Ethan Staddon made his own bit of club history, becoming the West Country side’s youngest ever Premiership debutant at 18 years, five months and three days.
For Worcester it was a familiar tale of opportunities squandered.
Duncan Weir, back from two Tests with Scotland, was flawless from the kicking tee during his spell on international duty and kicked Worcester into an early lead with a penalty.
Yet while Worcester’s back three looked persistently lively and dangerous the Warriors were left to rue a series of missed chances. Perry Humphreys, back from injury, spilled the ball with the line at his mercy, and the Warriors repeatedly failed to land the telling pass when it was required.
It took more than 20 minutes for Bath to assert themselves on the game and it yielded a try. After getting the better of Worcester at both scrum and lineout, Bath spread the ball wide for Tom de Glanville to wriggle within inches of the line. Zach Mercer was first to react at the resulting maul to dot down.
The next try was as soft as they come. Oli Morris spilt the ball under little pressure and Max Wright scooped it up and cantered home untouched.
With the first-half clock deep in the red, Bath registered their third try through captain Josh McNally. It was patient, muscular forward play. Spencer slotted his third conversion to give Bath a 21-3 half-time lead.
Bath wrapped up the bonus point soon after Anton Bresler was yellowcarded for persistent foul play, with Elliott Stooke and Semesa Rokoduguni getting on the scoresheet.
Worcester rallied with tries by Humphreys and Nick David, and Bath had flanker Josh Bayliss sinbinned for killing the ball, but the die had already been cast.
“What made me really proud is how hard the players worked for each other. The desire in defence was great to see,” said Hooper.
“They were ready to put their bodies on the line and go hard for the five points. Our forwards set us up and gave us the opportunity to score those tries.”