Bath Rugby : Development XV win in Aldershot

Chas Williamson

Development XV win in Aldershot

27 March 2008, 4:37 pm

By Simon Clark

A youthful Bath Development XV took on a full strength British Army team at Aldershot last night in a very competitive game, running out winners by 20 points to 8.

The Army team who counted among their numbers players from premiership and national division clubs got off to a flying start and scored inside the first five minutes after a drive by their forwards released their powerful backs 5-0.

The Army continued to have the majority of both possession and territory for the next fifteen minutes but sound defence from the whole Bath squad prevented any further home scores.

After twenty-five minutes quick ball off the top of a lineout was moved wide by Bath and a quick recycle allowed full back David Choules to score wide out to level the scores at 5 all.

The Bath forwards started to dominate possession and fly half Mitch Burton kicked a penalty to increase the lead after the Army were penalised for not rolling away after a tackle 5 – 8.

With another piece of quality ball provide by the forwards from a lineout, scrum half Ollie Goss put his half back partner away from twenty meters out to score under the post after sidestepping most of the home team. Burton converted his own try from in front of the posts to make the score 5 – 15.

On the stroke of half time the Army scrumhalf put over a penalty goal to make the score 8 – 15 in favor of the Bath side going into the break.

Both teams made a number of changes in the second half but this did not affect the quality of the match with both teams moving the ball at every opportunity.

The Bath forwards with locks Matt Bye and Adrian Griffiths were outstanding both in the lineouts and loose play and gained control of the match for long periods.

The home team prevented any further scores until blind side flanker Josh Ovens collected a ball in the centre position and made a superb break from fifty meters out. He then out ran the entire home defence to score a great individual try in corner to extend Bath’s lead.

The home team then game back into the match but the young development team showed great character and commitment to prevent any further scores. Eighteen year old flanker Josh Ovens was awarded the man of the match by his team mates for his superb individual try, high tackle count and a high number of successful ball carries.