Bath Rugby 68-10 Saracens, The Rec
Bath Rugby delivered a stunning performance at the Recreation Ground, dismantling league leaders Saracens 68-10 in the Gallagher Premiership.
The home side dominated from the outset, taking full advantage of Saracens playing over an hour with 14 men.
The hosts set the tone early, with a box kick from Ben Spencer creating pressure deep in Saracens' 22. A penalty try was awarded just five minutes in, accompanied by a yellow card for Liam Williams after a knock-on under pressure.
Injuries to Theo McFarland and Tobias Elliott compounded Saracens' troubles, forcing early replacements. Although Ben Earl thought he had leveled the score with a lineout try, it was disallowed for a forward pass.
Saracens’ hopes took a major hit when Toby Knight was shown a red card for a high tackle on Ollie Lawrence. Bath immediately capitalized, with Thomas du Toit crossing the line to extend the lead.
Fergus Burke’s penalty briefly put Saracens on the board, but Bath’s relentless attack saw Cameron Redpath score their third try, converted by Finn Russell.
Will Muir added the bonus-point try just before halftime, with Russell’s precision kicking giving Bath a commanding 28-3 lead at the break.
Bath continued their onslaught after halftime. Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir (completing a hat trick), Sam Underhill, and Ollie Lawrence all added tries, with Russell contributing conversions to push Bath past the 60-point mark.
Saracens managed a solitary try from Kapeli Pifeleti in response, but it was little consolation as Bath’s relentless attack left the visitors overwhelmed.
Team line up:
Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Pepper, Barbeary.
Reserves: Annett, Van Wyk, Stuart, Molony, Underhill, Schreuder, Ojomoh, Reid.
Saracens: Williams; Elliott, Lozowski, Hartley, Segun; Burke, Simpson; Brantingham, George, Balmain, Itoje (c), Isiekwe, McFarland, Knight, Earl.
Reserves: Pifeleti, Mawi, Clarey, Wilson, Michelow, Van Zyl, Spink, Hall
Widely regarded as the most competitive rugby union league in the world...it can only be the Gallagher Premiership.
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