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Bath Beat Glasgow With Four Tries

Walshe, First Try
By Glen Leat
December 16 2005
After last week's close call at The Rec, Bath rewarded their marvellous travelling support by grabbing a great win at Firhill to secure their position on top of Pool Five by beating Glasgow 10-29. Four tries gave Bath a vital bonus point and sets them up nicely for the Boxing Day match at Worcester.

Glasgow repeated their start from last week by dominating possession in the early minutes and this ended with a successful penalty in front of the Bath posts. However, as in the close game last week, Bath immediately responded with a penalty of their own after 6 minutes and then dominated territory and possession for the rest of the half.

Dixon started the game's first lineout with a crooked throw, which was very disappointing for the South African who replaced Lee Mears for this game, however he and his colleagues looked much more focused than last week when the forwards struggled in most aspects of play. Dixon's next throw to a five metre lineout was spot on and Grewcock set up a powerful drive over the line for the opening try of the match, unfortunately the referee adjudged Bath to be a accidentally offside and blew up just as they were about to score.

Rob Fidler, in for the rested Steve Borthwick, was replaced by James Hudson after 22 minutes following an injury earlier in the match and Olly Barkley had a pot at goal from 5 metres within his own half but missed. A few moments later Chris Malone tried to take advantage of the smaller dimensions of the football pitch with a drop goal attempt but also missed.

The Bath pack continued to pressurise their opponents and Glasgow were forced to spoil the game and were constantly playing on the fringe of a sin binning: finally Tim Barker was invited to spend 10 minutes on the sidelines after the referee decided enough was enough. The Bath penalty saw a kick to touch but, instead of keeping the ball in the pack, the front eight offered the backs an opportunity to open up the game. Unfortunately Andy Higgins took his eye off the ball at the crucial moment (that is to say when he was supposed to catch it) and the move petered out. However it was a Bath back who secured the first try of the match after 36 minutes when Nick Walshe dummied the Glasgow defence to run in for his score. The Barkley conversion made the score a very well deserved 3-10 to the visitors.

Bath looked to increase their lead just before the break and Higgins had the ball with a three on one opportunity but (once again) failed to off-load, producing an audible groan from Bath supporters all around the country listening to the game via the internet. Replacing the reliable Cheeseman with Higgins for this game must be considered a mistake by the coaches and one wonders how many more chances Andy Higgins will get in the Bath first team. This failure ensured the half time score remained at 3-10 to Bath.

The second half saw Bath get off to the best start ever when Danny Grewcock grabbed the ball from a ruck and ran (legs a-pumping) in under the posts after just a couple of minutes. Glasgow were then forced to pick up the pace and, within five minutes of Grewcock's bit of magic, scored a try of their own through Tkachuk and were unexpectedly back in the game. After being in total control for over 30 minutes Bath suddenly found themselves having to defend their lead against some strong attacking. Tom Cheeseman replaced an injured Frikke Welsh after 50 minutes and this saw Andrew Higgins move to the wing: at least he couldn't miss overlaps out there! 

Within five minutes of coming on Tom Cheesman scored Bath's third try after Olly Barkley had broken through the Glasgow defence. Barkley was too quick for the defenders and his off-load to the young Welshman gave Cheeseman an opportunity to dash to the corner and evade the chasers. Barkley was unlucky as his touchline conversion hit the upright to keep the score at 10-22.

Glasgow continued with their attacking play and it took a great bit of defence by Nick Walshe to deny Staniforth an opportunity to put the Bath try-line under pressure. Worryingly, Cheeseman was carried from the pitch in the last few minutes.

Bath grabbed the try-scoring bonus point through a late Michael Stephenson try to sew up a marvellous win away from home and the final whistle was blown just after Barkley kicked the conversion to make the final score 10-29.

Fantastic stuff, this must have exceeded the expectations of most Bath supporters - well done lads.

Next game is on Boxing day - have a Merry Christmas.

Glasgow 10 - 29
(03- 10)
Bath
Tries:
Tkachuk
  Tries:
Walshe
, Grewcock, Cheeseman, Stephenson
Pens:
 Parks (1)
  Pens:
 Barkley (1)
 
Cons:
Parks (1)
  Cons:
 Barkley (3)

 

Glasgow: Staniforth; O'Hare, Morrison, Henderson, Lamont; Parks, Beveridge (capt); Tkachuk, Lawson, Murray; Barker, Turner; Swindall, Barclay, Beattie.
Replacements: Thomson, Harrison, Hayter, Hamilton, Pinder, Gregor, Craig.

Bath: Stephenson; Finau, Higgins, Barkley, Welsh; Malone, Walshe; Barnes, Dixon, Bell; Fidler, Grewcock; Beattie, Scaysbrook, Feaunati (capt).
Replacements: Mears, Stevens, Delve, Hudson, Williams, Davis, Cheeseman.

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