Bath Rugby produced a measured performance to advance to the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a 26-13 victory over London Irish.
The Exiles crashed into an early lead through Agustin Creevy, but Josh McNally and a Will Stuart double gave Stuart Hooper’s side a deserved half-time advantage.
Points were sparse for much of the second period until Zach Mercer barged home for Bath’s fourth of the night to seal the result and progression to the last four.
Having faced Irish a fortnight ago, Bath knew to expect a ferocious start from the visitors, and they got just that. Capitalising on home penalties, hooker Creevy peeled away from a close-range maul to reach the whitewash.
Captain Charlie Ewels said Bath let one go at the Brentford Community Stadium two weeks ago, but they were relentless in pursuing their semi-final goal from the sixth minute.
It took just two minutes for the hosts to level. The forwards used the maul, a weapon that has worked well over the past month, to significant effect, driving at a canter, and McNally stooped low to add his name to the scoresheet.
The pack continued to dominate up front; however, Irish remained dangerous on the counter, Creevy and Ben Loader making in-roads.
The Blue, Black, and White’s pride in the jersey shone through, and from a maul turnover, an incredible field-length try followed. Man of the match Mercer picked superbly from the base of the scrum and carried 30 metres before offloading out the backdoor to Taulupe Faletau.
The Wales Number 8 then produced a majestic piece of skill on the run, chipping over the top of the Irish defence and galloping on to cause havoc in their ranks. Joe Cokanasiga slid in to regain possession, wide the ball went, and following a few physical phases, England prop Stuart muscled over for his first.
Jack Walker and Mercer carried hard after that to continue Bath’s onslaught in attack. Beno Obano and Cokanasiga showcased their offloading ability en route to Faletau, charging upfield to the five, a move which Stuart benefitted from once more.
As formidable as they were in attack, Bath were equally as brutal in defence when they needed to be with black shirts swarming round those in white.