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Bath win Prem Cup to end 17-year trophy wait
By Jon Newcombe
Bath ended their 17-year wait for silverware with a brilliant 48-14, seven-try win over Exeter in the final of the Premiership Rugby Cup at Sandy Park on Sunday.
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Fittingly, Bath’s longest-serving servant Tom Dunn was at the heart of the victory, scoring twice in the second half after joining the fray at half-time, along with fellow internationals Thomas du Toit, who also got on the scoresheet, and Beno Obano.
“I am a bit speechless. I am really proud, really proud of everyone. That was such a squad effort, from game one to the final. I think it speaks volumes for the team and where we want to go,” the Bath-born hooker said on TNT Sports.
Bath went into the match having not won a trophy since Steve Borthwick lifted the European Challenge Cup in 2008. But Bath’s young charges rose to the occasion, with one of their more senior figures Alfie Barbeary contributing massively to the success, along with a jubilant Dunn.
The Gallagher Premiership title is their number one priority and they still have the Challenge Cup to play for, but by winning the Cup, some of the pressure will have been taken off a club whose barren run until today was in stark contrast to the glory days when 10 cups and six league titles were delivered in the amateur era.
For 2023 cup winners Exeter, it was a day to forget and a missed opportunity to get something from a disappointing season. The Chiefs had a try ruled out in each half and lost Tommy Wyatt, Ethan Roots and Jacques Vermeulen to injury.
Bath did not come through the final unscathed either, Joe Cokanasiga hobbling off with a leg injury, and this will give Johann van Graan cause for concern given that another of his power runners, Ollie Lawrence, is out for the season.
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After an edgy opening quarter in which a knock-on at the ruck by Franco Molina saw Stu Townsend’s try chalked off, the Chiefs took the lead when second-row partner, Christ Tshiunza, burrowed over from close range.
But Bath soon cancelled out that seven-point score when Barbeary produced the first of his 16 telling carries, picking up from the base of a ruck and charging through before setting Tom Carr-Smith on a free run to the line.
Ruaridh McConnochie combined well with Cokanasiga, who managed to squeeze over in the corner with a one-handed finish, as Bath got their second and fly-half Ciaran Donoghue knocked over an excellent touchline conversion.
Scott Sio reached out and scored on 33 minutes and Josh Hodge converted for the second time in the match to level the scores. But Bath took a slender lead into half-time despite playing into a stiff breeze when Donoghue, one of the emerging stars of Bath’s cup campaign, slotted a penalty with the clock in the red.
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Having brought on their big guns, Bath overpowered Exeter in the second half. Du Toit finished off another series of pick-and-goes for his seventh try of the season, Donoghue converting to make it 24-14.
The elusive Paul Brown-Bampoe thought he’d given Exeter hope when he slipped through two tackles for a brilliant finish but the TMO intervened after spotting that Josh Hodge had gone into touch on the far side of the field during the build-up.
Dunn then went on the rampage, scoring tries either side of one from cup skipper Ewan Richards, who heroically played most of the match with a broken nose. Louis Schreuder added a seventh near the end as Bath matched the record 48 points they put on Gloucester in the 1990 Pilkington Cup final.
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Saffa coaches doing well overseas. Bath with van Graan steering the ship, and Nienaber having a profound effect at Leinster. And of course Franco Smith with Glasgow.
All this rugby IP will stand us in good stead for when Rassie calls it quits. He is only 52, so hopefully not soon. Stick and Vermeulen also being groomed.
Gatland lasted 17 years as Wales coach, I suspect Rassie’s lifespan might be similar. He could probably hang on until 2034-ish if he really wants, but moving on after 2027 - or 2031 at the latest - might be wise.