Team Bath show tremendous character to shrug off Cardiff Met comeback and seal fantastic last-gasp BUCS Super Rugby win
Captain Alfie Garside kicked a last-minute penalty to clinch an important 20-17 away win for Team Bath against fellow BUCS Super Rugby high-fliers Cardiff Met.
The Bath Building Society-sponsored visitors were leading 17-3 with six minutes left on the clock, only for the home side to score two converted tries and draw level.
Team Bath were not to be denied, though, and showed tremendous spirit to force a penalty in front of the posts which Garside slotted over to secure a fantastic result at the start of a February featuring three tough away trips.
Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University of Bath, said: “I said before the game this would be our toughest challenge and it ended up being that. It’s always a physical affair and they came back like we knew they would but we nicked it at the end and I’m pleased we did.
“It comes down to lots of character, and that means more than the win really. We had seven or eight changes tonight and you need to have that much depth in this league. It wasn’t pretty but you take the win and are thankful for it.”
Team Bath produced an excellent first-half performance to take a 10-0 lead into the break, thanks to University of Bath sporting scholar Ethan Staddon’s try plus a conversion and penalty from Garside.
A penalty just after the restart got Cardiff Met on the board but Team Bath extended their lead in the 55th minute when a lineout drive led to Jasper Spandler bundling over for his 13th try of the season.
Garside’s conversion made it 17-3 but as Cardiff Met cranked up the pressure, the penalty count rose and the home side were able to drag their way back into the game. Team Bath were still able to emerge with the victory, though, which keeps them joint top of the table with Exeter.
Rewatch the action here:
Next up on Wednesday 8th February (6.30pm kick-off) is a trip to defending champions Durham, who have moved up to fourth in the table with back-to-back wins at the start of 2023.
