Huge pride to play for their countries
Six Team Bath BUCS Super Rugby players have represented their countries over the past few days after playing in international matches for England and Cyprus.
Xavier Hastings (social sciences) started at open-side flanker for England Students in their dramatic 16-15 victory against France at Newcastle’s Kingston Park on Friday.
Josh Dingley, Mackenzie Graham (both sports performance) and Jasper Spandler (international development with economics) then started for England U19s against Italy in Verona on Saturday, while Archie Maggs (sports performance) was among the replacements as the visitors won 41-20.
The quartet combine studying at the University of Bath with playing Academy rugby for Bath and all have represented the Blue, Black & White at senior level during recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Farhad Fayaz (mathematical sciences) started at prop for Cyprus in their recent Rugby Europe Conference 1 South match at Malta. Fayaz and his team-mates will be looking to bounce back when they visit Israel on Saturday (2pm BST).
Visit teambath.com/rugby to find out more about combining rugby and study at the University of Bath.
■ AVON gave Somerset Premier runners-up Hornets a scare, but eventually had to settle for two points in a pulsating match at Hutton Moor.
Hornets have only lost once at home on their 3G pitch this season and eventually clinched a thrilling 31-24 win, with both sides scoring a try bonus and Avon’s efforts were also rewarded with a losing bonus point. Avon finish a creditable fifth in a competitive league.
The hosts made a perfect start as
Avon’s kick-off went straight into touch in the fierce wind. From the resulting scrum on halfway, a blind-side move transferred the ball to the league’s top try-scorer Quinton Querl who sidestepped through for his 21st of the season.
Sensing an opportunity, Hornets again pressurised the visitors but were repelled by excellent Avon defence, epitomised by Jonny Griffiths and Sam Book. Thereafter, Avon mounted a comeback with increased possession from the pack and emergency prop Ian Burnell cropped up everywhere with a series of thunderous carries across the gain line. Fly-half Tom Boreham also caught the eye with his powerful runs through midfield, whilst Jake Coates threatened in his roving role.
After persistent penalties led to a Hornets yellow card, it was no surprise when Avon’s pressure inside the home 22 led to a penalty try after a powerful scrum surge was collapsed near the line.
With Avon enjoying their ascendency up front, scrum-half Ollie Flight sniped before presenting a delayed pass to the supporting Ben May who off-loaded to number eight Dan Cousineau, charging through the despairing tackles to score near the posts. Jonny Batchelor, making a welcome return after his wedding, added the extras.
As half-time approached, Hornets reduced the deficit with a converted try from their scrum-half to leave Avon with a 14-12 advantage at the interval.
With the swirling wind then in their favour and their pack on top, Avon assumed that they could build on this foundation but instead had a quiet 20 minutes. This allowed a renewed effort from Hornets to score another two tries after a series of forward drives to open up a ten point lead.
Suddenly Avon responded with a monstrous forward drive which took play deep into the home 22 where Cousineau collected his second try to halve the gap. With Avon seeking the decisive try, they instead conceded at the other end to threaten no return for their efforts.
But their collective competitive spirit shone through as, with the clock in the red, Avon’s pack mounted a final attack down the right before the backs moved the ball wide in the other direction for Coates to touch down their fourth try in the corner to finish on a high note.
Speaking afterwards, head coach Kai Harwood said: “Thanks to everyone who has helped this season, from the non-playing busy workers behind the scenes to the loyal few supporters and most importantly to the players.
“It’s been a tough season, with some lows but many more highs. It’s been a pleasure coaching and I honestly believe this is the beginning of a very good squad, added to the emergence of Ben Hurd’s elite second team. We are heading in the right direction both on and off the field and I am really looking forward to where we can take this club again.”
ELSEWHERE, Keynsham ended their South West 1 West campaign with a narrow 19-15 defeat at Sidmouth to finish sixth.
Stothert & Pitt gave Imperial an away walkover to complete their Somerset Premier season second bottom after countback with Bristol Harlequins, while Oldfield Old Boys were edged out 20-17 at home to Nailsea & Backwell, a much better showing than Nailsea’s 31-5 win in September as Oldfield finish ninth.