By Dave Clarke
October 16 2010

After disappointment last week, Bath do the business and earn 5 vital points in Italy

An early change to the Bath line up when Ben Williams pulled out apparently with a tight hamstring. Banners playing 13 with Matt Carraro stepping up from the bench.

Aironi played an attractive brand of rugby with the Aironi full back looking pacy and dangerous. The 1st try for Bath came from a lineout take by Beastie and some slick Bath passing by the backs to Biggsy who chipped his opposite number, beating the Aironi full back to the ball to score in the corner. Olly’s conversion went just wide of the post.

 
Tom Biggs had an impressive game and made several strong tackles.

At 20 mins the ref penalised Bath for not rolling away which seemed mysterious as there were no Bath players in the ruck? Ludo Mercier kicking the penalty. 3-5

At 22 mins pressure from Banahan forced a knock on in midfield. Catt charged up the pitch, Carraro followed up to score in the corner. Olly's conversion wide again but to the left of the posts.

Shortly after Bendy made a try scoring tackle on the huge Aironi 8 who broke straight through a ruck looking sure to score.

31 mins Lobbe replaced Grewcock and made an impact with some strong carries.

35 mins a 3rd Bath try after some great hands and interplay from the Bath backs with Bendy going in under the posts, converted by Olly's taking the score to 3-17.

At half time Belly replaced Davey Wilson, (hopefully only to prevent his 3rd yellow), and during one Aironi attack Belly appeared to tackle 3 Aironi forwards at once stopping dead an attacking drive.

Aironi's poor handling cost them several attacking positions possibly down to some aggressive defensive pressure from Bath.

At 53 mins pressure from Aironi forced a penalty at a breakdown Mercier again kicking the points 6-17.

At 59 mins a strong Bath scrum forced a penalty. Bath opting to kick to the Aironi 22 only for Aironi to steal the lineout, 3rd time in the match.

Another good Bath attack after a Barkley break carried on by Vesty to Biggs who was brought down and isolated in the tackle.

 
The game was settled in the 70th minute following a kick by Vesty into the Aironi 22. When the Aironi winger slipped into touch, Lobbe took the lineout and a huge driving maul all the way with Luke Watson diving over.

Final score 6-22

I thought Vesty controlled things well from 10 and defended strongly. Banahan made some huge tackles in midfield and Bendy was rightly awarded man of the match for a superb performance in both attack and defence. Matt Carraro was again strong in all facets of his game.

The Bath forwards went well and the scrum looked very strong.