Bath Rugby : Cervino double helps U19s overtake Moseley

Chas Williamson

Cervino double helps U19s overtake Moseley

13 November 2006, 2:44 pm

Match report by Hilary Weale

Bath U19s rallied from a 10-17 half-time deficit to beat Moseley 27-17 at Bath University on Saturday 11th November.

Bath U19s kicked off up the slight slope with a strong wind in their faces against a very committed and confident Mosley team. After only three minutes Moseley scored a try through their backs after a quick ball from a scrum. Bath were kept pinned in their own half because every time they worked the ball to the opposition 22-metre area they gave away needless penalties, and Moseley kicked the ball back down field with a strong wind behind them.

On 16 minutes, fly-half Scott Simmons kicked a good penalty from 30 metres out against the wind after Moseley were caught offside at a ruck. Midway through the half, following a kick ahead by the Mosley scrum half, their right wing scored out wide after full-back Charlie Perry allowed the ball to bounce and failed to gather. However, half an hour in Perry made amends for his error when he was put through a gap by Simmons to score near the posts, and this was converted by Simmons, to level it 10-all.

Just before half-time, Moseley kept the ball alive through several phases and their openside flanker scored a good try, and the conversion made it 10-17.

Both teams used all their subs during the second half and Bath, with the wind in their backs were able to maintain field position deep in the Moseley half. After a good break by lock Charlie Gardner following a lineout, flanker Dan Cervino was on hand to score wide out and Simmons converted with a good kick from near the touch-line, again bringing the scores level. With just over 50 minutes on the clock a good take at a lineout by lock Jake Dixon was well supported by the rest of the Bath forwards, who drove the opposition back 10 metres, and flanker Cervino emerged for his second try, which put Bath in the lead for the first time.

The final score of a very good match came after scrum-half Lee Audis made a break from a scrum, and quick hands by the back put replacement full back Steven Depledge over in the corner.

Frank Butler, the Academy Team Manager, said: “Both teams moved the ball at every opportunity through the hands and showed great skill in windy conditions. This was a very good win for a young Bath squad, many of whom were playing their first game at this level.”

Bath scorers:
Tries: Charlie Perry, Steven Depledge, Dan Cervino 2.
Cons: Scott Simmons 2
Pens: Scott Simmons 1