History repeats itself as Team Bath suffer last-gasp defeat to title-chasing Exeter after another BUCS Super Rugby thriller
Team Bath men’s 1st XV suffered a second last-gasp defeat of the BUCS Super Rugby season to South West rivals Exeter as a stunning second-half fightback came up just short.
A poor start to the match saw the visitors concede three unconverted tries in the opening eight minutes, including one straight from the kick-off, as title-chasing Exeter raced into a 15-0 lead.
Rengen-sponsored Team Bath managed to get a foothold in the game and, despite having to make early changes through injury, got on the scoreboard just after the half-hour mark as replacement hooker Max Keller went over off the back of a maul.
However, Exeter were able to grab a bonus-point fourth try just before half-time and this time added the conversion to take a 22-5 advantage into the second period.
Once again showing the tremendous character that had seen them claim a comeback victory over Cardiff last week, Team Bath bagged the first try of the second half as in-form winger Alfie Garside touched down under the posts to leave George Worboys with a simple conversion.
Exeter kicked a penalty to give themselves a 25-12 cushion with 13 minutes remaining but Team Bath kept battling away and took full advantage of the hosts losing two players to the sin bin as Ellis Horgan bulldozed over and Worboys added the conversion.
It looked like they had won the game when, with two minutes to go, number eight Tom Williams raced over for Team Bath’s fourth try and Worboys’ conversion put them 26-25 up.
However, in an almost exact replica of November’s reverse fixture, Team Bath were not quite able to see the game out and Exeter managed to score from the last move of the game to claim a 30-26 victory.
It was gutting for Team Bath but they will take huge credit from their second-half performance as they prepare to face league leaders Durham at the Team Bath Sports Training Village on Wednesday 9th February. Kick-off is 6.30pm and entry is free to spectators.
