Following a 34-20 win for Bath against Bristol Bears in an epic Premiership semi-final on Friday, here’s James While’s five takeaways from the Recreation Ground.
The top line
Bath‘s treble dreams took one more step forward as they overcame a brilliant first half display from Bristol Bears to book their place in next Saturday’s Premiership Final at Twickenham.
It was a magnificent match, one that fully lived up to its billing, as Bristol arrived at The Rec determined to spoil Bath’s party, believing they had a shot to nothing, and they very nearly pulled off the shock of the season.
Bristol’s tries came from lock James Dun and centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg. They went in 13-6 at half time, but Bath turned it round after the break, scoring four tries in the second period through Ted Hill, Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir and Max Ojomoh, as the Bath basics took control of the match as Bristol’s challenge just ran out of steam.
Bath’s efforts this season have always had the hallmark of patience, structure, belief and teamship and it was those four qualities that got them over the line against a brilliant Bristol challenge. It was a match befitting the billing of a semi-final and one that will live in the memories of all of the fans for some time to come.
Blow for blow
Bristol Bears have spent the season throwing the kitchen sink at any opponent they’ve faced and their approach from the off was no different in this match. The first half was breathtaking and breathless in equal measure, played at breakneck intensity, fired by the absolute passion of both teams, and, in a game of immense pressure, some admirable skills under huge fatigue load.
From the moment that the outstanding Guy Pepper and the equally impressive Ellis Genge clashed in the first breakdown of the match, the sheer physicality on show was mindboggling. The visitors were direct and powerful, exhibiting wonderful offloading and passing skills, not only from the backline, but with players like Joe Batley, Dun and Fitz Harding showing incredible handling skills under immense pressure.
Bristol gave as good as they got at the breakdown, but when they went wide, they found space and fragility down the righthand touchline, where Kalaveti Ravouvou and Steven Luatua made some massive gains. None hurt Bath more than when Muir chased a long kick down only to be left dead by the flying Fijian winger, and with Bill Mata adding power into the move, a potential attacking position for Bath saw Bristol go the length to score through Dun.
The Ravouvou yellow card inspired Bears to an immense defensive shift, losing the 10 minute period only 3-0, with Janse van Rensburg leading the effort in D with a magnificent set of tackles, bashes and jackals.
It was a half of magnificence, one that saw Bristol lay down the gauntlet and do to Bath exactly what they’ve done to numerous sides this season, playing thrilling no fear rugby with exquisite handling skill under pressure.
Turnaround
If Bristol played the game they wanted to in the first half, then there’s little doubt that Bath took control in their own inimitable style in the second.
It was classic Johann van Graan rugby; aerial dominance, territorial ownership and immense physicality were the orders of the day and that combination of boot and catcher that made all the difference. Perhaps Bath were also fortunate to be forced to replace Alfie Barbeary with the tighter and more agile Miles Reid, who came on and carried his brilliant display at Cardiff in the Challenge Cup into a thundering performance in the Premiership.
It started with a try from Hill as Bath played phases off nine to allow Finn Russell to make the extra man and send Hill over. Bristol would be fuming that Mata left the hole for Hill as the number eight was more interested with debating a penalty than getting back into a defensive position. But as Bath rose to the occasion, so their key players starting controlling both territory and direction, and it was Ben Spencer’s work that set up another score for Muir, a few moments after Tom de Glanville’s kick had set up another for Cokanasiga.
With Harry Randall off with a shoulder injury, Bristol found themselves with too much to do too late, and despite a brilliant effort from Janse van Rensburg, Bath simply owned the second half much as Bristol had owned the first.
Back-rows shine
In a game so intense and so loose at times, a word for the brilliance of both sets of back-row forwards.
On the Bristol openside, Harding put in a showing of linking brilliance; the flank is similar in style to an Australian openside and his ability to be that extra man might just see him tour with England this summer. The Bristol skipper carried 17 times and made 23 passes in a brilliant display of the openside arts and he demonstrated once more that he’s the cultural heartbeat of this Bears side.
Against him, Pepper gave us a display of breakdown arts that demonstrated once again his huge potential. Three key turnovers kept his team in the match in that hectic first half as the Falcon turned Bath man put in a performance to remember and he was rightly named Player of the Match, hammering 18 tackles in a wonderful personal display.
With Reid having a huge impact both sides of the ball when replacing Barbeary, the other member of the Bath back-row, Hill, was immense in the big moments. Alongside his try, the touchline tackle on Ravouvou at a crucial moment was a defensive read out of the highest drawer. He managed to match the Fijian for gas, an admirable feat, but his smother effort on the winger kept Bristol out precisely when they most needed to strike.
It was indeed a day for back-row connoisseurs, but there’s little doubt that the Bath combination took the honours and took their team to a Premiership Final next weekend at Twickenham.
Dancing Bears
Bristol’s campaign is over, but what a campaign it was. The consummate entertainers, their never-say-die approach to handling and running rugby has been a breath of fresh air in the Premiership this season.
The stats don’t really do them justice, but 97 tries, 655 points, 11,075m made and 302 clean breaks tells you everything you need to know about their ambition and joyous approach to domestic rugby.
Their heroes are legion; in the centres, there’s no better player in European rugby than the behemoth Janse van Rensburg. Their wings, Gabriel Ibitoye and Ravouvou, set the standards for every other wing in the competition, finishing first and fourth in the season’s try scorers list.
With Randall sparking from the base and AJ McGinty the catalyst for fun in the backline, the order of the day for Bristol players is gas; they have in every position from one to 15 and they hang their stall on their speed and agility with ball in hand.
But heroes come in all shape and sizes; Genge put in a performance of warrior like proportions in this game and alongside him, two young heroes, Batley and Gabe Oghre, have taken their domestic form to push for Test honours.
Bristol may be beaten in this match, but they weren’t bowed; it’s not in their nature and there’s little doubt they’ll emerge stronger and better for their wonderful, if ultimately unsuccessful campaign. They’ve been an absolute blast to watch.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/bath-v-bristol-five-takeaways-as-breakneck-bears-go-out-on-their-shields-in-premiership-semi-final-that-lived-up-to-its-billing
