Bath Rugby’s PREM Rugby Cup campaign concluded with a 46-21 loss against Leicester Tigers in the semi-final at Welford Road. A young Bath squad fought hard but were ultimately outmatched by Leicester’s seasoned lineup.
The Tigers started aggressively, with Tom Threlfall scoring early, but Bath responded quickly when Ethan Staddon crossed the line following a clever run, and Will Roue’s conversion put Bath ahead. However, Leicester gained control of the game through possession and territory. Billy Searle capitalized on a well-executed attack to score, and Tommy Reffell added a rolling maul try before halftime to extend the lead.
Leicester came out with intensity in the second half, scoring two tries in quick succession—with former Bath player Orlando Bailey and Reffell again crossing—making a strong statement. Bath did find some respite when Kepu Tuipulotu scored from close range off the bench. Despite Bath’s efforts, Leicester finished strong with tries from Harry Palmer, Joaquin Moro, and Ollie Hassell-Collins, pushing the score to 46-14.
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Bath ended the match with a late try from Ioan Emanuel, who showed pace and skill by breaking away and assisting Alex Ridgway for the score.
Here’s a detailed look at the individual performances from Bath’s side:
15 Sam Winters (6)
Shifting to full-back, Winters displayed solid scramble defense and executed a powerful 50-22 kick.
14 Austin Emens (7)
Building on last season’s breakout form, Emens made crucial tackles and turnovers, though a defensive lapse allowed a Tigers try.
13 Chris Harris (5)
A physical presence but caught out by a dummy for one of Leicester’s tries; limited attacking impact.
12 Will Butt (5)
Team captain with strong carrying but inconsistent passing and underused as a ball carrier.
11 Charlie Griffin (6)
Strong aerially and physically, but some defensive positioning errors and an offside penalty dampened his impact.
10 Will Roue (6)
Grew into the game after an early mistake, showing improved attacking flair and effective kicking.
9 Ieuan Davies (6)
Impressive first start, energetic around the park, precise with box kicks.
1 Scott Kirk (7)
Recovered from a tough opening half to make strong carrying runs and revitalized the scrum in the final stages.
2 Dan Frost (7)
One of Bath’s standout performers with ball in hand, though lineout timing remained inconsistent.
3 Kieran Verden (6)
Strong set-piece contributor but costly penalties and a scuffle risked a card.
4 Jack Bennett (6)
Reliable contributor in the pack working hard throughout.
5 Ewan Richards (6)
Solid effort returning from injury, with impactful carries supporting Bath’s attacking phases.
6 Ethan Staddon (8)
Outstanding at the breakdown with key turnovers and a well-executed try; a loss for Bath ahead of his summer move.
7 George Timmins (6)
Key defender, made some important steals but had moments of infringement.
8 Arthur Green (6)
Quiet but effective in defense; made way early for a replacement.
Replacements:
16 Kepu Tuipulotu (7)
Energetic off the bench with a try and important turnovers.
17 Ioan Emanuel (7)
Showed speed and skill late on to assist a try.
18 Mikey Summerfield (N/A)
19 James Maloney (N/A)
20 Alex Ridgway (7)
Impressive in just his second professional match, scoring a well-timed try.
21 Neil le Roux (N/A)
22 James Linegar (N/A)
23 Jack Harrison (N/A)
Despite the loss, several young Bath players showed promise for the future as they gain valuable experience against top-level opposition.