Team Bath slip up in opener
It was a frustrating start to the BUCS Super Rugby season for the Team Bath men’s 1st XV as they were edged out 29-23 in front of a 500-strong home crowd at the University of Bath Sports Training Village. Bath Rugby players Zach Mercer and Levi Davis, the latter a University of Bath graduate who developed his talent in BUCS Super Rugby, were among a big freshers’ week crowd for the opening fixture. The Blue & Gold showed plenty of positive intent and deservedly led 17-7 with a minute to go before half-time thanks to well-taken tries from Hugo Stiles, who also kicked two conversions and a penalty, and Brandon Bellamin. However, the last play before the break saw winger Josh Rudling go over for a try, Northumbria’s second of the half following Lewis Berg’s earlier touchdown, and James Elliot’s penalty cut Team Bath’s lead to three points. Stiles and Eliot exchanged penalties early in the second half before Northumbria – last season’s league runners-up – took the lead for the first time when prop George Williams burrowed over for a converted try. The decisive moment came ten minutes from time when, as he and Ed Rimmer chased down a loose ball bouncing through the Bath try area, Elliot was adjudged by the assistant referee to have got a downward touch before it ran out of play, much to the frustration of the home team. That gave Northumbria a ninepoint lead and while a Stiles penalty got Team Bath back to within a converted try of victory, the visitors – despite being down to 14 men after No8 George Bordill was yellow carded – were able to see off some late pressure and take the points. Team Bath coach Mark Lilley said: “There were plenty of encouraging signs out there but we’ve missed a lot of opportunities, particularly in the first half. “We built pressure on them but there were a couple of moments that let us down and we probably weren’t effective enough on our attacking breakdown. “We had 14 debutants tonight and, despite the result, the boys will take a lot from that game. I thought we showed some really positive character and there is plenty to build on.” Alex Burrage, captain for the night, added: “To feel so disappointed to have lost to the team that was second in the league last year shows how far we have come as a side. “We’ve left a lot of opportunities out there that if we fix, we are definitely winning that game.” Next up for Team Bath, supported by short sponsors MJ Church, is a trip to London to face Durham University at Rosslyn Park RFC on Friday, October 5 (7.30pm). Details of tickets for the match are available at rugby. teambath.com/ fixtures-and-results. Team Bath’s next home game is against Nottingham Trent on Wednesday, October 10 (6.30pm, free entry), before they return to The Rec – Bath Rugby’s iconic citycentre home – for the Iesis Groupsponsored Anniversary Game on Wednesday, October 17 (6.30pm). Free tickets for that game can be downloaded at rugby.teambath.com/anniversary-game-tickets.