MATCH REPORT: Bath Rugby 24 Newcastle Falcons 6
Bath Rugby produced a sterling second-half showing to see off a dogged Newcastle Falcons side at The Rec this afternoon.
The contest marked a return to Aviva Premiership action after a four-week break but miserable weather conditions again played their part as fly-halves George Ford and Phil Godman traded a penalty apiece in the first half.
Three earlier missed kicks from Ford looked to be costly when a second Godman kick put Falcons ahead soon after the restart but Bath finished the game strongly with three converted tries without reply.
Horacio Agulla, Leroy Houston and Francois Louw all got over the whitewash as third-in-the table Bath reinforced their end-of-season play-off credentials.
Bath had the chance to break the deadlock after just two minutes but the wet and windy conditions were already causing Ford problems as he fired wide of the posts.
The hosts then suffered a triple disappointment on the ten-minute mark when hooker Rob Webber and full-back Nick Abendanon both had to depart to injury. When play resumed, Ford saw a second penalty miss the target.
A costly knock-on by Falcons' Mark Wilson finally brought the game's first points after 16 minutes. The visiting number eight fumbled 15m from his own line to give Bath a scrum in a good position. Newcastle were penalised as the Bath pack tried to drive forward and Ford was able to split the posts at the third time of asking.
Ford was then the victim of a late hit by Falcons skipper Will Welch, and referee Tim Wigglesworth gave the hosts another shot at goal courtesy of the TMO. Bath could not make it count, though, with Ford's accuracy again failing in the swirling wind.
Having had virtually no territory for the opening half-hour, Falcons were suddenly level when Bath were caught offside. Godman landed an excellent penalty from his first shot at the posts.
Bath finished the half on top still could not press home their advantage, even when Falcons prop Oliver Tomaszczyk was sin-binned after repeated infringements by his side at the breakdown.
The hosts enjoyed a prolonged spell in Newcastle territory but Ford saw two passes intercepted, first by Adam Powell and then Noah Cato, as Falcons survived until the interval.
Three minutes after the restart Godman landed a long-range kick to put Falcons in front for the first time. His next penalty, however, proved to be costly for his own side.
The Falcons fly-half missed touch when Bath were penalised at a scrum and the hosts' attack from deep led to the opening try. Bath powered their way up the centre of the pitch before an excellent jink by Ford saw him slip between two Newcastle players before sending Agulla over the whitewash. Ford converted.
That was the first of two tries in five minutes for the hosts, with number eight Houston also touching down. Ford thumped a penalty deep into Falcons territory and Bath spread the ball wide from the lineout. Anthony Watson was stopped just short but Houston smashed his way over from close range when the ball came back inside. Ford added the extras.
The home side remained in control until the close but had to wait until the final minute to score a third try. A series of penalties were won deep in Falcons territory, and Agulla's decision to tap one quickly was decisive. He was held up on the line but when the ball came back inside to Louw, the Springboks flanker charged over from close in. Ford's conversion brought the game to a close.BATH RUGBY: Abendanon (Agulla 9), Watson, Devoto (Henson 76), Eastmond, Banahan, Ford, Stringer (Young 74), Catt, Webber (Batty 9), Orlandi (Perenise 51), Hooper (c) (Caldwell 74), Day, Garvey, Louw, Houston (Fa'osiliva 71). Replacement not used: Palma-Newport.Tries: Agulla, Houston, Louw Conversions: Ford 3 Penalty: FordNewcastle Falcons: Tait, Cato, Tiesi, Helleur, Sinoti, Godman, Fury, Vickers, Thompson, Tomaszczyk, MacLeod, McKenzie, Welch (c), Saull, Wilson. Replacements: McGuigan, Montanella, Brookes, Tomes, Hogg, Pilgrim, Clegg, Powell.Penalties: Godman 2Referee: Tim WigglesworthAttendance: 11,132
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
