Bath take try bonus despite 45-34 Toulon defeat
Bath score four tries but lose 45-34 to Toulon, taking key bonus point.
©PA
Toulon 45-34 Bath Rugby, Stade Felix Mayol
Bath Rugby claimed a valuable try-bonus point despite a 45-34 defeat to Toulon in a high-scoring Investec Champions Cup clash at Stade Mayol, a result that keeps the English side top of Pool B after two rounds.
Bath opened the scoring through the boot of Finn Russell, but Toulon struck first with a try from close range from Brian Alainu'uese
to set the tone for an open contest. As Russell and Matéo Garcia traded penalties, the scoreline remained 10-6.
The hosts continued to press, but Bath responded in the 20th minute when Ted Hill crossed for the visitors’ first try of the night.
The first half proved breathless, with Toulon scoring twice more while Bath managed one additional response. Russell’s accuracy from the tee kept the visitors within touching distance, and Bath went into the break trailing by just five points at 18-13.
Toulon extended their lead early in the second half with a penalty, but Bath hit back immediately. Santi Carreras went over in the 50th minute after a perfectly weighted chip over the top from Russell, narrowing the gap to a single point at 21-20.
Toulon regained control with a try from Gaël Dréan, but Bath stayed in the fight. After emptying the bench, Arthur Green marked his European debut by finishing off a break from Ewan Richards to bring the score to 28-27. Neil le Roux also made his Champions Cup debut from the bench.
Toulon stretched their lead with Lewis Ludlam going over in the 65th minute with Garcia kicking a conversion and a penalty to make it 38-27 before the final six minutes saw Louie Hennessey and Teddy Baubigny trading tries as the French side completed a 45-34 win.
Team line up:
Toulon: Ferte; Drean, Brex, Sinzelle, Tuicuvu; Garcia, Serin; Gros, Lucchesi, Sinckler, Rebbadj, Alainu'uese, Ludlam, Ollivon, Mercer.
Reserves: Baubigny, Ametlla, Priso, Mezou, Abadie, White, Smaili, Karaba.
Bath: Carreras; Cokanasiga, Ojomoh, Redpath, Arundell; Russell Carr-Smith; Obano, Dunn, Sela, Roux, Molony, Hill, Underhill, Barbeary.
Reserves: Tuipulotu, Van Wyk, Du Toit, Richards, Reid, Le Roux, Hennessey, Green.
