Bath take the silverware ... at last
Sun, 25 May 2008 15:00
Bath finally won some silverware when they beat the Worcester Warriors 24-16 in the European Challenge Cup Final at Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Sunday.
After the disappointment of going out in the semifinals of the Guinness Premiership, Bath will go home with the consolation prize - a European trophy and a place in the Heineken Cup next year.
It was Bath's first piece of silverware in 10 years, but it was a deserved victory.
It was a physical match, but the exchanges at the contact points were mostly won by Bath as they dominated the first half.
Tries by flank Jonny Faamatuainu and fullback Nick Abendanon gave Bath a 16-6 lead at half-time, ensuring that the Worcester Warriors were forced to play catch-up for the final 40 minutes.
The victory marked the final game in Bath colours for England internationals Barkley and Steve Borthwick, the latter captain of both the club and England.
The pair are leaving The Rec over the summer to join Gloucester and Saracens respectively.
The triumph is a massive relief for Bath - who lost four successive finals in three different competitions since winning the Heineken Cup in 1998.
The two sides traded penalties before Bath secured two tries in a crucial five-minute first-half blitz.
There was an element of good fortune about the first though, as referee Christophe Berdos missed what looked like a forward pass by hooker Mears to flyhalf Butch James during a flowing move that ended with Faamatuainu crossing.
Barkley's penalty attempt shortly afterwards came back off the post and with Bath reacting first to the loose ball, Joe Maddock was sent clear on the wing and his deft inside pass was collected by Abendanon.
Drahm, who along with Thinus Delport and Drew Hickey, is leaving for Japan in the summer managed to reduce the deficit, but Bath went 24-9 ahead - through a penalty and drop-goal from Barkley, and a penalty from James.
Delport gave the Worcester fans something to cheer about but his injury-time try was too little too late.
The scorers:
For Bath:
Tries: Faamatuainu, Abendanon
Con: Barkley
Pens: Barkley 2, James
DG: Barkley
For Worcester Warriors:
Try: Delport
Con: Carlisle
Pens: Drahm 3
Teams:
Bath Rugby: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Zak Feaunati, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Tom
Cheeseman.
Worcester Warriors: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (captain), 6 Drew Hickey, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tony Windo.
Replacements: 16 Chris Horsman, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Netani Talei, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 Joe Carlisle, 22 Rico Gear.
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garces (France), Patrick Bellet (France)
TMO: Brian Abrahams (England)
