Cokanasiga’s back with a bang
Bath Rugby secured their first bonus-point win of the season on Saturday as a brace of tries from the returning Joe Cokanasiga saw the Gallagher Premiership’s bottom side beat Newcastle Falcons 30-25 away at Kingston Park.
England winger Cokanasiga crossed twice in the second half on his first start of the season after returning from a knee injury sustained in preseason.
Loosehead prop Lewis Boyce, also making a return from injury, powered over in the second half as well to add to Ewan Richards’ superb first-half score.
Fly-half Danny Cipriani landed two penalties and two of his four conversion attempts to finish with 10 points.
Falcons remained in the fight to the very last play of the game after scoring first-half tries through flanker Connor Collett and hooker George Mcguigan, while lock Greg Peterson crossed after the break.
Newcastle stand-off Will Haydon-wood secured 10 points off the kicking tee.
Rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bath Rugby players at Kingston Park.
■ 15 Tom de Glanville - 8
The full-back was a constant menace to the Falcons defence as his searing pace stretched the hosts to breaking point while the black shirted defenders also had to deal with his stepping abilities.
His break down the right flank led to Joe Cokanasiga’s first try while his quick hands under pressure gave the winger a second relative walk in. Pivotal to the win.
■ 14 Will Butt - 7
Playing on the wing while really a centre, the big back defended ably, chased up and unders like his life depended on it and made some hard yards.
Another home grown talent set to play a big part for Bath over the next few years
■ 13 Max Clark - 7
The outside centre is proving he can cut it at this level on a regular basis, making a nice outside break in the second half and beating three defenders, but missed three tackles.
Jonathan Joseph looks set to return to the starting XV for the Bristol Bears derby to try to shut down Fijian star Semi Radradra.
■ 12 Max Ojomoh - 7
For once the young centre wasn’t a running threat but he showed superb hands and some physical defence, with one thunderous tackle on opposite number Matias Orlando forcing a knock-on.
■ 11 Will Muir - 8
Roared on by more than 100 people from his former amateur club, the winger was once again Bath’s most dangerous threat in the backline as his team-high 52 metres in attack attests. Razor sharp.
■ 10 Danny Cipriani - 8
The former England international, making just his fifth start of the season for Bath, had his best game for the club as his handling was sharp and crisp to get the ball wide to his side’s dangerous threats.
Highlights of his display included a gorgeous arching pass off his right hand out wide to Ewan Richards to set up the young forward’s try and a brilliant kick to the corner late in the game which indirectly led to the pressure that turned into points through Cokanasiga’s second try.
■ 9 Ben Spencer - 7
The scrum-half was sharp throughout but will be grateful a dropped ball following a brilliant pick and go at the edge off a ruck and then offload from Nathan Hughes didn’t cost his side dearly in the end as he failed to hold onto the pill with the try line begging.
■ 1 Valeriy Morozov - 6
The Russian held his own in the scrum but needs to work on his contributions in open play, missing two of three attempted tackles and making little impact as a carrier.
■ 2 Jacques du Toit - 6
The hooker dropped a sitter of a pass early in the match but performed solidly at the lineout in difficult windy conditions.
■ 3 D’arcy Rae - 7
The Scotsman put in a 77 minute shift as Bath’s scrum got strong as the game progressed.
■ 4 Mike Williams - 7
The lock did a solid job combatting Newcastle’s power in the forwards, especially as the game progressed.
■ 5 Ewan Richards - 8
The 19-year-old is outrageously talented considering his age and looks completely at home in topflight senior rugby.
He showed superb pace to race down the wing for his try, with many around me in the press box confusing him for the rapid Scotland international Josh Bayliss. So versatile as well.
■ 6 Josh Bayliss - 7
The flanker had an uncharacteristically quiet game in attack, getting melted in a couple of big double tackles from Falcons early on, but worked hard throughout, finishing as Bath’s top tackler with 12 completed and none missed.
■ 7 Miles Reid - 8
Captaining the side for the first time on his return from injury, the flanker had a strong individual display as he carried well, making 29 metres, and completed 11 tackles without missing.
■ 8 Nathan Hughes - 8
The on-loan number eight, who sadly won’t be able to play against his parent club Bristol Bears next weekend as per the terms of his deal, was the most dangerous attacking forward on the pitch once again as he ran over defenders like a Range Rover clears speed bumps. They barely seemed to register at times.
Made big tackles and won key turnovers as well.
Only a yellow card for a high tackle on Pete Lucock stopped him getting an even higher score, fortunately Bath finished 7-7 during his 10 minutes off the pitch. In the form of his life.