Team:- J Webb (1c & 2pg), A Swift, J Guscott, P de Glanville (T), J Fallon, S Barnes (1dg), R Hill, G Chilcott, G Dawe, V Ubogu, M Haag, N Redman, A Robinson, S Ojomoh, B Clarke.          Referee – F Howard.      
Bath Replacements – S Knight, C Atkins, J Mallett, I Lewis, J Bamsey & D Egerton

Harlequins:- Pears, Wedderburn, Halliday, Carling, Davis, Challinor, Luxton, Hobley, Moore, Mullins, Edwards, Ackford, Russell, Sheasby and Winterbottom. (Capt.)

WHAT A GAME!
Harlequins certainly started with a bang and it was only Guscott’s tackle that stopped an early Carling try. However, a penalty was awarded and Bath were three points down in as many minutes. Quins kept up the pressure for the whole of the first half and were rewarded with a try by Winterbottom, which Pears converted.  (0-9) Webb and Pears then exchanged penalties and the first half ended with Bath trailing 3-12. Harlequin’s Ackford and Edwards had dominated in the line-out and the normally free flowing Bath backs had been preoccupied with defence.
However, the Bath fight back commenced and Webb added a second penalty. Fallon had come near to scoring, but Davis, Carling, Wedderburn and Bath’s ex, Simon Halliday figured strongly in defence. Amid unbearable tension, Ojomoh at last made inroads, and the way was open for de Glanville to outstrip the cover. With just two minutes of normal time remaining and looking commendably calm, Webb kicked to level. (12-12)

WHAT AN ENDING!
62,000 spectators braced up for another 20 minutes of almost unbearable tension.
There were at least three attempts at drop goals – first Guscott and two from Challinor, each time accompanied by a nervous expellation of air from fired up, extremely partisan supporters. It was no place for the faint hearted!
Then Redman grabbed line-out possession, lobbed down to Hill and he swiftly on to Barnes.
Time stood still as Barne’s drop kick approached the Twickenham uprights………………….
Harlequins sank to the ground in despair!

WHAT A SEASON!

Pilkington Cup Winners and Courage League Champions.
It had been an outstanding season in which Bath triumphed, despite World Cup calls on the talents of Webb, Guscott, Hill, Cronin and Redman.

Top scoring spot with Stuart Barnes who amassed 4 Tries, 17 Conversions, 37 penalties and 3 Drop Goals for 170 points in 22 games. He was followed by Jonathan Webb with 2 Tries, 18 Conversions, 17 Penalties for 95 points in 15 games and Jim Fallon 20 tries – 80 points in 25 games.
At this stage Stuart Barnes career record stood at 43 Tries, 309 Conversions, 215 Penalty Goals and 19 Drop Goals for 1492 points in 162 games.

Peter Hall © October 2007