By Nicola Curtis
January 28 2012

Bath scored an impressive five tries against Northampton in the cold at the Rec today, setting up a semi-final in the LV Cup. 

On a beautiful cold day in Bath, the city’s rugby team had a chance to claim their place in the LV Cup semi-final if they could muster a win against Northampton Saints. The victory against Glasgow the previous week may have been meaningless in terms of Bath progressing in the Heineken Cup, but it was priceless for boosting the confidence of a Bath team who had faltered over the last few months.

The momentum that was so important wasn’t immediately noticeable as the game kicked off. Northampton had the best of the opening 10 minutes, while Bath displayed some pretty aimless kicking. Olly Barkley took his chance to put points on the board after Northampton were penalised a few feet from the 22. Barkley kicked the points to give Bath a lead of three, and had a chance to double the score soon after. The ball hit the posts and rebounded almost straight into the arms of the chasing Tom Biggs, but the scrap resulted in a Saints win.

Over the next five minutes the teams traded successful penalties with the score stretching to 6-3, then doubled the dose straight away, leaving the score at 9-6. Olly Barkley headed his team one more penalty in front and the score was 12-6. This penalty trading was typical of the first half; no real flow with a lot of stopping and starting. The game was pretty evenly matched up until the last few minutes of the half, and it was a far from scintillating display. Bath woke up fairly spectacularly five minutes before half time when they travelled briskly up and across the field to let Ross Batty power through the Saints defence and slam down for a try. He perhaps should have passed to the backs to his right, but no matter; he got the ball down. Barkley converted and Bath ran in at the break 19-6 up after Stephen Myler slipped in a penalty just before time.

Although Bath started the second half with vigour and intent, the first score was still a jaw dropper; Anthony Perenise smashed, bashed and twisted his way through the Northampton defence from between the half way line and the 22 to score a cracking try, which was converted by Barkley. Bath weren’t able to keep up concentration and let Saints back straight away with a try from Alex Waller. Myler missed the conversion.

Northampton were playing better now, but Bath deserve credit for staying with the visitors and keeping them down. Barkley scored a penalty after the front row was replaced and the score went to 29-14. The influx of new forwards seemed to have the opposite effect than the Northampton coaching team would have expected; instead of letting themselves be steamrollered, Bath really woke up and things started to click. There was some really confident attacking play on show from Bath, which culminated in a try for Olly Woodburn which was set up by a great spinning pass from Stephen Donald. Bath were now finding space with ease, and further scores seemed inevitable.

The next try was from Donald after the ball passed smoothly through Bath hands to send the Kiwi into the corner. Barkley missed the conversion and the score was 39-14. With five minutes left, Bath had already scored four tries, but Charlie Beech changed that number to the altogether sweeter sounding five when he went over the line. Barkley kicked this conversion, making the final score 46-14. Northampton had a final attempt at improving the score at the very end, but could not manage anything.

I’m not getting carried away, but this was a lot better from Bath (and about time). This result was something of an indication of how seriously Bath will be taking the LV and it was extremely enjoyable to watch.

Bath comprehensively beat Northampton to set up semi-final

Discussion started by BathRugbyEre.co.uk , 28/01/2012 18:50

BathRugbyEre.co.uk
28/01/2012 18:50

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:02:02:19:25:13 by Glen The Ed.

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Susanne
28/01/2012 19:09

Thanks Nicola - great report of a fun game.

Anyone think Biggsy was tripped when he gathered the penalty that rebounded from the post? Thought it looked more like a trip than a tap tackle.

And anyone know where we can see Perenise's try again? That's one I want to save as a favourite on YouTube and watch again and again. Especially as it seemed to take him by surprise - just getting up from being at the bottom of a ruck and finding the ball bobbling in front of him.

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P G Tips
28/01/2012 20:25

Yes Susanne - it looked that way to me, both live & on TV replay. Can anybody else confirm?

PG

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Hamptonite
28/01/2012 20:29

Yes, Susanne, it happened in front of us and it was definitely a trip. Not sure how the referee or assistants could not award a penalty!

I wanted to watch both that and the Perenise try, but my Sky recording failed! Only blot on a decent day!

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TallRugbyGirl
28/01/2012 21:00

video: [url][/url]

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OLoingseach
28/01/2012 21:01

Go to Rugbydump.com to see Perenise's try. Watched it several times

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Susanne
28/01/2012 22:17

Thanks TRG - I could watch that all night!

Can a trip be cited?

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retired
29/01/2012 13:22

Suzanne
I thought it was a trip at the time and I believe they can be cited as an act of foul or illegal play, the litmus test is “would the action have received a red card”

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P G Tips
29/01/2012 13:59

Should have done OEC - but don't hold your breath.

I have seen a few at the Rec in recent seasons which have not been picked up on the day, or by citing.

It seems accepted as part of the game now, which I think is plain wrong.

PG

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Tall Paul
29/01/2012 20:25

I thought a trip was a yellow card? In which case very little point awarding one after the game. I guess it may vary depending on position on the pitch and likely outcome if there was no trip, i.e. if Biggs would DEFINATELY have scored it may be worth citing. I can't remember specifically but I seem to remember there being other defenders around Tom so doubt they would cite it now.

Elliott Stooke- proudly adopted for 2018-19

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TCM2007
29/01/2012 21:40

Quote:

(d) Tripping. A player must not trip an opponent with the leg or foot. Sanction: Penalty kick

Laws just say penalty

Stuart

Former ed.

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CoochieCoo
29/01/2012 21:58

It was a penalty offence and as it was almost 5 metres out from the try line it was a red zone offence and should have been yellow.

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Blocks2u
29/01/2012 22:45

Thanks for the report Nicola, excellent.

Managed to get some pictures from my perch here....

[picasaweb.google.com]

Not confident about the link working google seem to have reconfigured the process.

Ian

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Patrick
31/01/2012 14:22

Some more photos here if anyone's keen for a look:

Photos from Bath v Northampton Saints

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gaz909
31/01/2012 14:51

crackin photos (as always patrick), didn't realise that perenise's try involved a neat bit of juggling

thats a good one also at top of thread, not difficult to see why he's called 'beaver'

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