Bath’s belief shines through the storm
BATH’S group morale was key as the West Country side produced a superb six-try display to get their third victory from their last four matches to continue their resurgence in form.
Director of rugby Stuart Hooper’s grin at the final whistle said it all as Bath’s forwards impressively clipped Falcons’ wings and enjoyed large periods of dominance in difficult, changeable conditions to end a six-year winless spell at Kingston Park.
Hooker Tom Dunn dotted down twice while back rowers Sam Underhill and Montpellierbound Zach Mercer showed why they are so highly rated with try-scoring performances.
The manner of the win, Bath’s third on the road after trips to Sale and Northampton in recent weeks, belies their league position and proves that last week’s heavy defeat to English and European champions Exeter was a blip as they target a top four spot.
Hooper said: “I’m very pleased with the performance. Credit to the guys.
“Sam Underhill showed his destructive best, turning the ball over a number of times, Tom Dunn put everything in and Ben Spencer really stepped up.
“Going away to Sale, Northampton and Newcastle and winning helps with our collective desire.
“This took a big week backed up by 80 minutes from the lads and it builds belief. We’ll talk about it for six hours on the bus and that will also help, as will spending some time together to enjoy it.”
Both teams suffered changes to their starting line-up due to injuries, with Brett Connon covering at No.10 for Newcastle with Joel Hodgson and Toby Flood missing while Bath’s Wales international Rhys Priestland pulled out after taking a knock to his shoulder in the warm-up.
But that didn’t deter the
visitors and within four minutes Underhill, just back from injury, got on the end of a short catchand-drive to squirrel through in the corner.
The game was heavily one sided early on, Bath having 74 per cent possession as Falcons relied on their scramble defence, Scotland’s Gary Graham covering after Bath fullback Tom de Glanville glided past several black shirts.
From a scrum restart in Newcastle’s 22-metre area, Bath played short and No.8 Mercer dived over by the posts. Newcastle closed the gap when loosehead Trevor Davison scored off a short tap-and-go.
Dunn’s first try followed, off a driving maul from a lineout.
Back came Falcons with a beautiful break from deep by wing Mateo Carreras which saw the diminutive Argentine sidestep three defenders and make nearly 50 metres before passing for full-back Tom Penny to score.
With the score at 12-19 at half-time, the game was poised but a great turnover by Underhill on Carreras set the tone before the openside linked up with tighthead Henry Thomas to splash over as the rain came lashing down.
The second half was a one sided show. Falcons struggled to get out of their own half for large spells while replacement John Hardie lasted only ten minutes after getting some special attention at the breakdown from the inform Underhill.
Dunn scored his second after going round the back of a lineout. Then Spencer manipulated the wind perfectly to get within five metres of Newcastle’s line and Bath’s driving maul muscle did the rest for replacement Jack Walker to dot down.
A late flurry by Newcastle saw them awarded a penalty try as replacement Ollie Fox was yellowcarded for a technical infringement.