VIDEO: Duncan Hood’s late solo try secures hard-fought win in Cardiff as Team Bath get back to BUCS Super Rugby winning ways
A superb solo try in the closing stages from Duncan Hood sealed an excellent 27-21 win in Cardiff as Team Bath immediately bounced back to BUCS Super Rugby winning ways on Wednesday.
The Bath Building Society-sponsored men’s 1st XV were holding on to a single-point lead under pressure from the hosts when the Scotland U20 hooker collected a pass just inside the Cardiff half and feinted to pass before accelerating through a gap in the defence and outpacing two covering players to touch down.
Fellow hooker Jasper Spandler also continued his impressive scoring form as he went over from a driven lineout in the first half, with Sam Harris’s penalty giving Team Bath an 8-7 lead at the break.
Spandler struck again in the second half, crashing over from a forwards’ pick-and-go, and co-captain Alfie Garside also touched down after collecting an offload from Alex Clayton following a blindside breakaway attack interlinking forwards and backs.
Harris added both conversions but Cardiff, who won by a single point at Team Bath on the opening day, were right in the game and looking for a winner themselves before Hood’s try put the game to bed.
Team Bath backs coach Ryan Davies said: “It was a messy game which was hard fought throughout but the character to find a way to win through adapting and varying our attack and set piece was pleasing for all, as was defending hard for multiple phases to get turnovers.”
Focus now turns to the final home match before the Christmas break against a vastly-improving Leeds Beckett side on Wednesday 14th December. Kick-off is 6.30pm at the Team Bath Sports Training Village and admission is free.
Team Bath starting XV: 1 Archie Stanley, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Archie McNicol, 4 Eddie Erskine, 5 Mackenzie Graham, 6 Tom Williams (c), 7 Tom Cowan, 8 Harry Breeze; 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 10 Sam Harris, 11 Alfie Garside (c), 12 Ludo Kolade, 13 Louie Hennessey, 14 Alex Clayton, 15 Luca Mignot. Replacements: 16 Duncan Hood, 17 Ollie Tack, 18 Zak Giannini, 19 Joe Badger, 20 Haydn Barnes, 21 Elis Horgan, 22 Sam Kennaugh, 23 Byron Lloyd-Gilmour.
