JUNIOR MATCH REPORT (Copy)

Harlequins 27 - 41 Bath Rugby

By Bath Rugby

September 5^th, 2020

BATH RUGBY BACK ON FORM WITH A FOUR-TRY WIN AT THE STOOP

Our Blue, Black and White got off to a slow start but once they got going there was no stopping them in a fast-paced first half.

After sneaky chip kick from Danny Care to set up Joe Marchant, Harlequins – boosted by 3,500 home supporters – took an early lead. Rhys Priestland got the Blue, Black and White on the board shortly after, and with a few penalty exchanges, it looked like Harlequins would be heading into the water break in the lead.

But Bath Rugby immediately struck back after a restart, with Ruaridh McConnochie the quickest to react from a spilled Harlequins ball and crossing over for Bath Rugby’s first try of the match – Ruaridh’s fourth in as many matches.

BATH EXPLODES INTO ACTION

Just three minutes later, Elliott Stooke stumbled over the line as the Bath Rugby pack did well to recycle the ball from just short of the try line. A final penalty from the boot Rhys Priestland saw the Blue, Black and White head into the break 13-23 up.

NO SLOWING BATH DOWN AS SECOND HALF GETS UNDERWAY

Out of the tunnel, Bath Rugby struck early with ANOTHER Ruaridh McConnochie try! The in-form Cameron Redpath set the flying winger up in the corner for him to dot down over the try line.

From that point, both teams looked to speed up the game as errors accumulated on both sides. Rhys Priestland kept the scoreboard ticking over, adding another two penalties for the Blue, Black and White.

With ten minutes remaining, Harlequins managed to add to their early score with replacement scrum-half Martin Landajo touched down under the sticks after a dummy pass.

Bath responded immediately after the restart, with Lewis Boyce intercepting a pass out of nowhere to run the ball 35 metres and score against his former side, securing the bonus point for the Blue, Black and White!

In the closing minutes, the Blue, Black and White seemed to let their discipline get away, receiving two yellow cards in just four minutes. But by this late stage, Bath Rugby were well ahead of their rivals and the hosts could not dent the lead.

RHYS PRIESTLAND PICKS UP ANOTHER PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Rhys Priestland was awarded a well-deserved Player of the Match, missing just one kick all afternoon. He overtakes Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith to become the leading points scorer in the Gallagher Premiership as it stands.

We finished an amazing afternoon at the Stoop with a 27-41 scoreline, four-try bonus point and the pleasure of being the first match back in front of a small number of supporters. Stuart Hooper was delighted with the performance and the win as we look ahead to our next match.