Bath Rugby delivered a remarkable second-half performance to defeat Bedford Blues 76-33 in a pre-season friendly at Goldington Road on Friday evening. Trailing 26-24 at the interval, the Gallagher Premiership side unleashed an impressive 52-point onslaught in the second half to secure the victory.
England winger Henry Arundell was the star of the show, crossing the try line three times as Bath scored twelve tries in total. Despite their attacking success, the visitors did concede five tries to their Championship opponents.
The opening 40 minutes saw Bedford Blues test Bath’s defence relentlessly, capitalising on handling errors and a lack of defensive intensity from the Premiership outfit. Bedford set the early pace with incisive play, taking advantage of Bath’s loose passing and defensive lapses.
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Lucas Titherington electrified the home supporters just ten minutes in, deftly stepping Joe Cokanasiga to finish in the corner. Prop Oisin Heffernan and full-back Louis James also found the try line through direct running. Bedford extended their lead to 26-7 after Charlie Ulcoq seized on a loose ball near Bath’s try line.
As the half wore on, Bath responded. New signing Dan du Preez powered over from close range, followed by a classy break from Tom de Glanville setting up Arundell’s 30-metre try. Just before half-time, Joe Cokanasiga powered through two tackles to narrow Bedford’s lead to 26-24.
The second half was a clear demonstration of Premiership quality and depth. De Glanville scored early after a slick attacking move initiated by Ciaran Donoghue, putting Bath ahead for the first time. Dan Frost added another try after a lineout maul.
Arundell then turned on the afterburners, scoring twice more, including a powerful run evading defenders to complete his hat-trick and extend Bath’s lead to 55 points. Ewan Richards and Jack Woods also crossed, the latter finishing an 80-metre sprint after a turnover.
Despite Bedford’s resilience, including a try from Ryan Hutler, Bath finished strongly with Bernard van der Linde scoring following a swift counter-attack and James Linegar crossing in the dying moments to put the gloss on the scoreline.
A notable positive for Bath was the return of Will Stuart, who came off the bench for his first competitive minutes in 10 months after recovering from an Achilles injury.
Head coach Johann van Graan’s squad now prepare to face Glasgow Warriors in their final pre-season match next weekend before opening their 2026/27 Gallagher Premiership campaign against Harlequins at The Stoop in two weeks’ time.
Bedford Blues team: Louis James; Ryan Hutler, Lucas Titherington, Michael Le Bourgeois, George Worth; Will Maisey, Alex Day (captain); Joey Conway, Tommy Herman, Oisin Heffernan, Ilan Evans, Rory Ward, Kayde Sylvester, Charlie Ulcoq, Fred Tuilagi
Replacements: James Fish, Monty Royston, Will Davies-King, James Bennett, Alex Woolford, Archie Benson, Tui Uru, James Lennon, Ben Dufficy, Dean Adamson
Bath Rugby team: Tom de Glanville; Joe Cokanasiga, Ollie Lawrence, Cameron Redpath, Henry Arundell; Ciaran Donoghue, Tom Carr-Smith; Claudius Wheeler, Dan Frost, Archie Griffin, Quinn Roux, Ross Molony, Arthur Green, Miles Reid (captain), Dan du Preez
Replacements: Jack Bennett, Ieuan Davies, Tom Dunn, Ioan Emanuel, Austin Emens, Jack Harrison, Louie Hennessey, Will Jeanes, Scott Kirk, James Linegar, Max Pearce, Ewan Richards, Will Roue, Jasper Spandler, Will Stuart, George Timmins, Kepu Tuipulotu, Bernard van der Linde, Kieran Verden, Jack Woods
Referee: Richard Gordon