League side romp to final
Bath Rugby League progressed to the West of England Championship Fives final with a 74-12 victory over Swindon St George. The two sides had met only a week earlier when Bath travelled to Swindon, coming out on top 10810 to secure a home semi. Bath showed their intentions early and forged ahead when Ben Thyer broke the defensive line for the first points of the day. Connor Breen added the extras. Swindon were still dangerous though, and capitalised on a Bath error to send George White over, though the conversion was missed. Back bounced Bath. From the kick-off, winger Luke Cador broke multiple tackles to score, allowing Breen to convert again. They were completing sets and beginning to dominate the defence and it was Thyer who scored his second of the day with a strong carry from close range, Breen converting, followed by a jinking Cador run. Both tries went converted by Breen to see Bath 24-4 up. More followed, with Joe Wildman finding the corner, Cador completing his hat-trick and Kyle Johns scoring an interception try. A trademark Stevan Randall carry and subsequent Breen boot saw Bath 44-4 ahead at the interval. St George pulled one back shortly after the restart, only for Mike Rutt to hit back for Bath, sandwiched by another Swindon try. Breen added to his points tally with the next try, with Brandon Ball not far behind for a 62-12 advantage. Not to be out done by Cador, Thyer was next on the scoresheet, getting his hat-trick following a line break from the kick, and the final points came when Tom Culshaw found himself out wide to sprint down the flank and dot down. Breen converted both. Head coach Alex Burns said: “I’m proud of the performance we put together against a much improved Swindon side. It is great going into the final too having faced some difficult and testing periods in the game with Swindon on top. “We know this week will be a battle and that has prepared us physically and mentally. It’s fantastic to see this squad have the opportunity to create a legacy with Bath Rugby League this early in the inception of the club.” Bath now face Cheltenham Phoenix in the final on Saturday at Dings RFC’S Shaftebury Park home in Bristol (1pm).