Bath Rugby emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Pau, securing a 49-24 win on their opponents' home ground. The English side’s exceptional performance now sets the stage for a quarter-final showdown with Gloucester in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The match kicked off with an impressive start for Bath, as Will Muir’s early try, courtesy of Ben Spencer’s expert box kick, set the tone for the evening. Despite Pau responding with a penalty, Bath continued to dominate, with Joe Cokanasiga adding a second try. Pau fought back, showcasing their strength with a powerful maul resulting in a try by Carwyn Tuipulotu. However, Bath maintained their momentum, adding further tries through Beno Obano, Josh Bayliss, and Tom Dunn.
The game took an unexpected turn when a red card was issued to Sam Underhill, providing Pau with an opportunity to counter. Although Ruaridh McConnochie and Miles Reid further extended Bath’s lead, Pau’s late resurgence, including a double from Fabien Brau-Boirie, added tension to the match. Ultimately, Bath sealed the victory with Reid’s late try, effectively quelling Pau’s comeback.
READ MORE: Discover the Excitement of Emberwood: Bath’s New Open-Fire Restaurant and Cocktail Bar
READ MORE: Reviving Somerset’s Overlooked Green Spaces
Following the game, rugby writer Sam Jess analyzed the individual performances of the Bath Rugby players:
- Ruaridh McConnochie demonstrated strength and skill, earning a rating of 8.
- Joe Cokanasiga excelled in highball tactics, contributing to his rating of 8.
- Max Ojomoh marked a decent outing, receiving a score of 7.
- Will Butt showcased prowess in both attack and defense, warranting an 8 rating.
- Will Muir’s exceptional contributions earned him a score of 8.
- Ciaran Donoghue’s standout performance earned him an impressive rating of 9.
- Ben Spencer’s leadership and attacking prowess led to a rating of 7.
- Beno Obano’s physical display garnered an 8 rating.
- Tom Dunn’s reliability and try-scoring ability resulted in an 8 rating.
- Archie Griffin demonstrated steady performance, earning a score of 7.
- Quinn Roux’s impactful presence contributed to his rating of 7.
- Ross Molony showed resilience, securing a score of 6.
- Josh Bayliss overcame a tough start and was pivotal to earn a rating of 6.
- Sam Underhill’s disruptive play led to a score of 5.
- Miles Reid’s tenacity and late try earned him a 7 rating.
The analysis also included the performances of the replacements, highlighting their contributions to the team’s success.