Bath dominate Newcastle Red Bulls with 69-12 victory

Bath 69-12 Newcastle Red Bulls

Bath Rugby confirmed their place in the Gallagher PREM play-off semi-finals with a commanding 69-12 victory over Newcastle Red Bulls at a rainy Recreation Ground.

The champions scored 11 tries in a dominant performance, with Henry Arundell starring with four tries in a ruthless attacking display.

Bath led 31-0 at halftime and never allowed Newcastle to seriously threaten a comeback, despite the visitors showing more fight after the break through two tries from Alex Hearle.

Bath Race Into First-Half Control

Bath opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Ted Hill finished in the left corner after a midfield break and quick handling created space out wide.

Henry Arundell then took over. He scored his first try four minutes later after collecting an offload and staying on his feet despite an ankle tap from Simón Benítez Cruz.

Arundell added his second before the quarter mark when the ball came loose from a Newcastle ruck. The England winger reacted quickest, gathered possession and raced into the left corner.

Bath secured the bonus point soon after when Finn Russell countered from deep and linked with Cameron Redpath to create another attacking opening.

Josh Bayliss then added Bath’s fifth try before the half-hour mark, galloping down the right to stretch the lead further.

Newcastle Improve After The Break

Bath were reduced to 14 men when Tom Dunn was shown a 20-minute red card for head contact on George McGuigan, but the hosts still reached halftime 31-0 ahead.

Newcastle began the second half with more purpose. Their pressure was rewarded when Amanaki Mafi’s strong carry drew in defenders before a looping pass found Alex Hearle, who scored in the right corner.

Bath responded through Arundell, who completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark. Newcastle then hit back again as Hearle collected a hack ahead and slid over for his second try.

Bath Finish With Late Scoring Burst

Santi Carreras restored Bath’s control with a converted try down the right, before Newcastle’s Fergus Lee-Warner was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

Bath immediately used the extra man. Carreras crossed again after a long-range move, before Arundell scored his fourth from first-phase attack.

Replacement hooker Dan Frost then sprinted clear for another Bath try, and Chris Harris completed the scoring after Max Ojomoh gathered Joe Cokanasiga’s kick forward and fed the centre to score.