Bath head into Anniversary Game seeking first win of BUCS Super Rugby season as late try seals defeat at Leeds Beckett
University of Bath men’s 1st XV will go into their Anniversary Game fixture looking for a big crowd to roar them to a first win of the 2023-24 BUCS Super Rugby season after suffering a frustrating 29-19 defeat at Leeds Beckett.
The Bath Building Society-sponsored side, making their third long away trip in as many weeks, were right in an entertaining contest throughout before a try two minutes from time took the game out of their reach.
Next up for Bath is their first ‘home’ game and the annual highlight of their season – the Anniversary Game at The Rec, city-centre home of Bath Rugby. Sponsored by Colour Studios and Dragon Signs, the big match – which this year is against Cardiff Met – is taking place on Wednesday 18th October (6.30pm kick-off) and free tickets are available by clicking here.
Bath welcomed back a host of Bath Rugby Academy players who have been competing in the Premiership Rugby Cup over the past few weeks, including co-captain Tom Cowan who was one of seven changes to the visiting pack.
An exciting first half saw the visitors concede an early converted try before closing the gap to 7-5 when, after Beckett were reduced to 14 men for a deliberate knock-on, the resulting penalty was kicked to the corner and Bath scored from a lineout drive.
Beckett regained the lead five minutes later, despite their numerical disadvantage, but Bath were able to notch a converted try in the closing seconds to make it 12-12 at half-time.
A penalty restored Beckett’s advantage but Bath, who are also supported by Rengen, went ahead for the first time in the 50th minute with a converted try, only for the hosts to respond in kind and lead 22-19 with 20 minutes remaining.
The next try would likely prove decisive and it went to Beckett in the closing stages, the conversion sealing a 29-19 victory.
Don’t forget, admission is free for the Anniversary Game at The Rec on Wednesday 18th October – click here to get your tickets.
University of Bath starting XV: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Max Pearce, 3 Billy Sela, 4 Eddie Erskine, 5 Josh Dingley, 6 Jack Bennett, 7 Tom Cowan (cc), 8 Mackenzie Graham; 9 Elis Horgan, 10 Iwan Price-Thomas, 11 Byron Lloyd-Gilmour, 12 Ludo Kolade (cc), 13 James Short, 14 Oli Sedgwick, 15 Austin Emens. Replacements: 16 Yujian Zou, 17 Archie Stanley, 18 Henry Mountford, 19 Max Mayor, 20 Lachlan McGrigor, 21 Ieuan Davies, 22 Raff Weston, 23 Will Roue.
