Speedy Spencer stars on Bath debut as 80-metre, 5th-minute try leaves Irish wilting
Ben Spencer marked his debut with an early try as Bath secured a 34-17 victory over London Irish at the Recreation Ground. The England scrum-half, signed from Saracens in June, crossed the line after just five minutes, with Bath adding four more tries for a bonus-point win which reinforced their place in the Gallagher Premiership’s top six.
The Exiles struggled from the start with the home club’s mauling game, which yielded three tries by the end of the first quarter. Spencer’s impact was immediate as he snapped up a wayward offload from Curtis Rona to sprint 80 metres and get his three-year contract off to a flying start.
And there were plenty more warning signs before hooker Tom Dunn made the first of two touchdowns inside five minutes. Skipper Charlie Ewels, making his 100th appearance, featured prominently as Bath first marched their opponents 30 metres upfield from a lineout. A penalty to touch by Rhys Priestland set them up once more and Dunn finished off.
Dunn’s second try was almost a carbon copy but in the other corner. Priestland was unable to convert but Bath still led 17-0. The Exiles eventually made their presence felt just before the break, forcing Bath to concede ground and penalties until Rona was able to cross the line virtually unopposed. Paddy Jackson added the extras to cut Bath’s lead to 17-7 at half-time.
Beno Obano came off the bench at the interval to add power to Bath’s front row but the visitors were quickening the tempo at the breakdown and Jackson added a penalty after 53 minutes. Bath responded with a Priestland penalty and the fly-half also converted Bath’s bonus-point try shortly after, a spectacular finish by Jonathan Joseph at the corner flag after Ewels’ flick-on.
Jack Walker then made it a hat-trick for the Bath hookers, again from the catch-and-drive, before Matt Cornish replied with a second try for the visitors. However, the damage had already been done for London Irish as Bath ran out convincing winners.
? Instant impact Ben Spencer ?
Arch-poaching from the new @bathrugby No.9 – with just a little bit of pace to boot ?????#RugbyRestart pic.twitter.com/J1ULpZ7YHL
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) August 15, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
51 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
51 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
51 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
51 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
51 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments