VIDEO: Storming second half sees Bath stun old rivals Loughborough to finish BUCS Super Rugby 2023 action on a high
The University of Bath men’s 1st XV are going into the Christmas break on a high after rallying from 17-5 down to beat old rivals Loughborough 31-17 in a BUCS Super Rugby classic at the Team Bath Sports Training Village on Wednesday.
Their last match of 2023 saw the Bath Building Society-sponsored hosts concede two early Jacob Cusick tries, both converted by Morgan Meredith, as they found quickly found themselves 14-0 down to the second-placed visitors.
Co-captain Ludo Kolade showed fantastic pace and agility to cut through the visiting defence for Bath’s first try of the night but a Meredith penalty just before half-time meant Loughborough were firmly in the driving seat at the interval.
They were blown away in the second half, though, as Bath produced one of their strongest performances of 2023. Prop Billy Sela burrowed over for their first try of the half and Tom Cowan emulated his fellow co-captain by touching down before Raff Weston’s conversion drew the teams level at 17-17.
Bath were now in full flow and they forged ahead for the first time – and secured the bonus point – when Oli Sedgwick went over for their fourth try following an outstanding team move, with Weston’s excellent conversion from the touchline extending their lead to seven points.
A fantastic victory was confirmed when Mackenzie Graham dived over in the corner for Bath’s fifth try of the night and Weston added the final flourish with another successful conversion.
Watch the tries here:
The win means Bath, who are also supported by Rengen, go into the Christmas break sitting fifth in the table, just six points behind second-placed Durham. They return to action on Wednesday 24th January when Leeds Beckett visit the Sports Training Village. Kick-off is 6.30pm and entry is free.
Match stats
University of Bath starting XV: 1 Scott Kirk, 2 Jasper Spandler, 3 Billy Sela, 4 Will Jeanes, 5 Eddie Erskine, 6 Jack Bennett, 7 Tom Cowan (cc), 8 Mackenzie Graham; 9 Tom Carr-Smith, 10 Raff Weston, 11 Sam Mercer, 12 Ludo Kolade (cc), 13 Louie Hennessey, 14 Oli Sedgwick, 15 Iwan Price-Thomas. Replacements: 16 Max Pearce, 17 Archie Stanley, 18 Alfie Griffin, 19 Max Mayor, 20 Iwan Coyle, 21 Elis Horgan, 22 Will Roue, 23 Austin Emens.
Tries: Kolade, Sela, Cowan, Sedgwick, Graham.
Conversions: Weston 3.
Loughborough starting XV: 1 Eric Nixon, 2 James Isaacs, 3 Mink Scharink, 4 Fergus Dick, 5 Owain Evans, 6 Henri Lavin (c), 7 Luca Fahy, 8 Mario Pichardie; 9 Tom Miles, 10 Morgan Meredith, 11 Harry Rowson, 12 Jacob Cusick, 13 James Langston, 14 Sam Kildunne, 15 Elliot Gourlay. Replacements: 16 Haydn Rees, 17 Oran Murphy, 18 Tristan Smith, 19 Nicholas Jennings, 20 Tomiwa Agbongbon, 21 Ollie Allan, 22 Reece Malone, 23 Chris Preen.
Tries: Cusick 2.
Conversions: Meredith 2.
Penalties: Meredith.
