Newcastle Falcons just about secured their Premiership status despite being well beaten by Bath at the Recreation ground.
The hosts did all they could to snatch a play-off spot from Northampton on the final day of the season, but the Saints came from behind to beat Leeds at Franklin Gardens and secure 4th spot. Northampton's victory came to the delight of Newcastle who had to rely on the Saints to beat Leeds in order for the Falcons to stay in the top-flight.
World Cup winning second row Danny Grewcock started in his final home appearance for Bath before retiring from the game. The ex England and Lions lock went into the match intending to help Bath to secure a fifth win in five to give them an outside chance of making the play-off semi-finals.
On the other hand Newcastle travelled to Bath looking to maintain their premiership status. The Falcons headed south knowing a bonus point-win would guarantee their Premiership status, but also aware that they had left the Recreation ground empty handed in the past 13 attempts.
First Half
Bath started much the brighter of the two teams and were duly rewarded when a Butch James penalty from 42 metres just crept over.
The host's dominance continued and with the clock barely reaching 10 minutes Bath found themselves 10 points to the good. A scrummage 5 metres out was barely contested by the Falcons forwards and after Biggs broke through the defensive line, the ball was moved left by Butch James leaving Sam Vesty to stride over in the corner.
With Leeds 14-0 up at Franklin Gardens, the prospect of playing Championship rugby next year looked very real for Newcastle.
More worrying signs were to come for Falcons' fans. Another Bath attack allowed scrum-half Claassens to move the ball left and after Vesty chopped inside and took the tackle, the ball was freed up and once again spread left where there were 3 Bath players waiting. Fernandez Lobbe was the one who took the pass and took the invitation to stroll over unopposed. Perhaps of greater concern to Newcastle though, was that Leeds had raced into a 3-24 lead at Northampton.
Bath continued to go in search of a bonus point and deserved their 3rd try when it came through Matt Carraro. After Biggs had once again made ground down right hand side he sucked in the Falcons defence, leaving a vast amount of space in behind. Bath were quick to recognise this and were allowed quick ball which was spread efficiently leaving Carrero to jog over from 2 metres. James added the extras to leave the scores at 22-0.
On the stroke of half-time a 4th Bath try gave them the bonus point they were looking for and ended the game as a contest. Butch james attracted the Newcastle defence after taking a flat line allowing Banahan to come surging through on a good line which left him free to stroll through. Another James conversion sent the teams in for the break at 29-0.
Second Half
In the opening 2 minutes of the second half the Falcons gave themselves a glimmer of hope. The ball was kept alive well with Gopperth looking for a runner, Alex Tait duly obliged and then had the presence of mind to kick the ball ahead into open space and collect to put the visitors first points on the board. Gopperth missed a simple conversion and after a James penalty the scores were 32-5.
The game began to peter out on the hour and although Luke Fielden scored Newcastles 2nd try of the game, Falcons fans were always relying on a Northampton comeback. Just as Manning slotted the conversion after Gopperth had gone off injured, news came through that try machine Chris Ashton had put Northampton to within 2 Franklin Gardens.
There was still time for the Rec to see Jaques Boussuge use his pace to race under the posts and after Sam Vesty converted, the scores finished at 42-12.
For Bath it was a dominant display against a poor Falcons side. No doubt the home fans will rue the absence of Moody and Banahan at an intergral part of their campaign, but if they can use their end of season form as a springboard for next year a play-off place can be expected.
Newcastle on the other hand were mighty lucky to escape after a series of penalties in Northampton ensured the Falcons will be playing premiership rugby again next year. After seriously threatening relegation for the past 3 years now, the north-east outfit know player recruitment is vital if they are to show any kind of improvement next year.
Bath: Vesty; Biggs, Carraro, Banahan, Abendanon; James, Claassens (capt); Flatman, Mears, Lilley; Fernandez Lobbe, Grewcock; Skirving, Moody, Taylor.
Replacements: Dixon, Catt, Palma-Newport, Watson, Mercer, McMillan, Williams, Boussuge.
Newcastle: Manning; Fielden, Tuiipulotu, Fitzpatrick, Tait; Gopperth, Young; Golding, Thompson, Murray; Hudson (capt), Van der Heijden; Wilson, Gray, Hogg.
Replacements: Vickers, Shiells, Brookes, Swinson, Welch, Pilgrim, Bobo, Eves.
