Hat-trick for Jasper Spandler as Team Bath earn impressive BUCS Super Rugby win at Hartpury

Nine Bath Rugby Academy players were involved in Team Bath’s impressive 27-19 away victory over Hartpury on Wednesday evening.

Archie Stanley, Jasper Spandler and Archie Griffin made up the front row once again with Eddie Erskine and Ethan Staddon continuing in the second row and back row respectively.

Sam Harris retained his fly-half berth while Byron Lloyd-Gilmour switched to full-back. Scott Kirk and Mackenzie Graham appeared on the bench.

Building on his try last time out in the win over Leeds Beckett, England Under-20s hooker Spandler crossed the whitewash twice in the first half – one from the back of a maul and a second from a pick and go.

Harris kicked a conversion as Bath found themselves two points down at half-time, but Number 8 George Doel got himself on the scoresheet and Harris followed up with the extra two.

The fly-half’s penalty extended Bath’s total as Hartpury closed the gap and Spandler completed his hat-trick in the second period to take his side out of sight.

A fantastic win for Team Bath and great character shown to grind out the victory.

Of the win, Lead Academy Coach Mark Lilley said: “We are delighted to win at what has proved a tough place to get a result over the past few years.

“We managed the conditions really well in the second half and applied pressure through our kicking game as well as showing a lot of physicality with our ball carrying, at the breakdown and in the tackle. Our power conversion was really good which resulted in three pick and go tries, and a maul try.

“The effort and commitment of the players was brilliant and it was really pleasing to see that throughout the 80 minutes.”