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Glawster have Too Much Energy For Bath
By Glen Leat
December 2 2006
Bath finished bottom of their EDF Energy Cup mini-league after losing 30-12 at Kingsholm to Glawster. A good win by the Ospreys over Bristol saw the Welsh side progress to the next stage of a competition many feel has little relevance.

After losing the first two of the EDF Energy Cup matches against the Ospreys and Bristol, the last thing Bath needed was a trip to in-form Glawster at Kingsholm to face a hiding. However given the paucity of first class rugby available to Bath's fringe players this was an ideal opportunity for many to show the coaching staff what they could do.

Glawster started the match swarming all over the Bath twenty-two with the visitors being regularly warned about giving away too many penalties. A scratch Bath front row of Dan Parkes, Dave Ward and Laurence Ovens (initially) struggled and eventually referee Pearson lost patience with Bath and awarded a penalty try after just seven minutes. Willie Walker's conversion made the score 7-0. Almost immediately from the re-start Glawster camped back in the Bath final quarter but a turnover let the visitors off the hook.

Once they had settled down, Bath started to put together a series of plays that placed Glawster under some pressure and it was only an error that spoiled a series of phases which saw Bath make some ground well in to Glawster territory. However the next time the home side attacked the Bath end they came away with a second try as Adam Balding crossed for five points. Another successful conversion made the score 14-0 before 20 minutes had disappeared off the clock.

Despite these two early scores the Bath players were not overawed and started to string together a series of attacks which forced Glawster to concede a series of penalties. Instead of kicking for goal, skipper Chris Malone opted for territory and was eventually rewarded with a try for Dan Parkes as he ran through the centre of the Glawster pack. Unfortunately Malone sliced his conversion to leave the score at 14-5 with some five minutes to the break.

A late penalty gave Glawster a 17-5 half time lead.

Glawster started the second half as they had the first, well in control, and Dave Ward prevented a certain score in then opening play by a later intervention. Willie Walker (amazingly) missed a penalty from in front of the Bath.

James Merriman finished off an end-to-end try after 52 minutes. Willie Walker cheekily showed the ball to his opponent inside his own twenty-two and set up Olly Morgan who dashed up-field. Morgan was brought down short of the Bath line but he had presence of mind to off-load to Karl Pryce who in turn off-loaded as he was tackled to give Merriman the run in. Bath replied within moments with a try of their own through Tom Cheeseman to show the home side that they wouldn't be allowed to run away(sic) with the game. Malone's conversion made the score 22-12.

Bath were reduced to 14 men after Dave Ward was binned for preventing Mike Tindall from taking advantage of a quick penalty in front of the Bath posts. Willie Walker kicked the penalty to take the score to 25-12 after 65 minutes. Glawster soon took advantage of their extra man with a try from Walker but the scorer was unable to add extra points with his conversion attempt and so the final score was 30-12.

    P W D L T D C P F A TB LB PTS
1 Ospreys 3 3 0 0 14 10 3 5 114 46 2 0 14
2 Glawster 3 2 0 1 13 10 0 9 112 86 2 0 10
3 Bristol 3 1 0 2 6 4 1 3 50 112 0 0 4
4 Bath 3 0 0 3 6 3 0 5 51 83 0 2 2

 

Gloucester Rugby: 15. Olly Morgan   14. Karl Pryce   13. Jack Adams   12. Mike Tindall   11. Mark Foster   10. Willie Walker   9. Haydn Thomas   1. Patrice Collazo   2. Rob Elloway   3. Carlos Nieto   4. Will James   5. Jonathan Pendlebury   6. Jake Boer   7. James Merriman   8. Adam Balding  
Replacements: 16. Ross McMillan   17. Jack Forster   18. Adam Eustace   19. Alex Brown   20. Rory Lawson   21. Brad Davies   22. James Simpson-Daniel 

 

Bath Rugby: 15. Michael Stephenson   14. Ian Davey   13. Chev Walker   12. Tom Cheeseman   11. David Bory   10. Chris Malone   9. Pietro Travagli   1. Dan Parkes   2. Dave Ward   3. Laurence Ovens   4. Dan Smith   5. Rob Fidler   6. Hottie Louw   7. Jonny Fa'amatuainu   8. Chris Goodman  
Replacements: 16. Chris Brooker   17. David Barnes   18. Jack Bentall   19. Jamie Miller   20. Andy Williams   21. Jack Cuthbert   22. Michael Mangeolles  

Referee: Dave Pearson

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