George Timmins scored four tries helped Bath Rugby secure victory over Newcastle Falcons in a fantastic match at the Under-18s Finals Day.

The flanker opened with a double, one of which was converted by Under-16 half-back James Linegar, before Ben Redshaw brought Newcastle back into contention with two scores of his own.

Falcons captain Jacob Oliver and Bath vice-captain Ieuan Davies traded converted scores in the first half ahead of Charlie Ward dotting down.

But when Kane James and Tom Burton scored for Newcastle, it looked like the win was going back to the North East. Even more so when Redshaw’s penalty edged them ahead following Toby Lock’s try for Bath.

However, Timmins was on hand to ensure a brilliantly contested encounter went the way of Bath with two additional finishes late on.

The win means Bath end the U18 Academy League season in ninth.

Team news

Bath were forced into several changes from the team that was originally announced due to illness.

Charlie Brook and George Cottrell came into the backline with Henry Bartlett, Luke Graham and Linegar switching positions.

Bath Rugby U18: 15 Charlie Brook, 14 George Cottrell, 13 Henry Bartlett, 12 Rory Crum, 11 Luke Graham, 10 James Linegar, 9 Ieuan Davies; 1 Ioan Emanuel, 2 Kacey Pike, 3 Billy Sela, 4 Charlie Ward, 5 Jack Bennett, 6 Jack Haythornthwaite, 7 George Timmins, 8 Connor Treacey ©

Impact players: 16 Max Dorrington, 17 Harry Love, 18 Leo Palmer, 19 Arthur Moore, 20 James Maloney, 21 Ollie Byrne, 22 George Yarwood, 23 Toby Lock

Newcastle Falcons U18: 15 Ben Redshaw, 14 Oscar Doran, 13 Lucas Rowell, 12 Callum Brown, 11 Tom Burton, 10 Junior Newton, 9 Joe Davis; 1 Isaac Keller, 2 Jacob Oliver ©, 3 Sam Graham, 4 Connor Bowran, 5 Finn Baker, 6 Jacob Butterill, 7 Kane James, 8 Reuben Parsons

Replacements: 16 Ryan Shaw, 17 Ewan Brown, 18 Sam Kirkman, 19 Riley Thwaites, 20 Charlie Turnbull, 21 Reuben Dyer, 22 Dan Woodcock, 23 Rhys Beeckmans

First half

It was a positive start from the junior Blue, Black and White who asserted their dominance up front in the opening exchanges.

As with the majority of games in the Under-18s calendar, the driving maul proved a weapon and when try-hungry Kacey Pike was thwarted inches short, he had the presence in mind to lay the ball and Timmins quickly gathered to dive over a host of bodies.

The exit from the restart was strong from Davies and when Bath regained possession further up the field, it was the scrum-half’s creativity, and the defensive line speed, which presented the West Country outfit with space to attack.

James Linegar collected a rushed Falcons kick in the backfield and he sliced through two defenders with smart running. As he was taken to the deck, the Kingswood and Chippenham RFC back spotted an onrushing Timmins and the back row’s power saw him reach the line from 25 metres.

Newcastle replied twice in the space of five minutes to bring themselves to within two points of Bath. First, wing Burton set full-back Redshaw in the corner and then the latter finished a superb solo try which he began from his own 22.

A third followed on 26 minutes for the Falcons as they capitalised on Bath’s ill-discipline. With Junior Newton pumping the ball in the corner, the Northern Conference side’s maul was stopped in its tracks, but they reorganised efficiently, and captain Oliver barged his way to five points, converted by Redshaw.

In response, several Bath forwards displayed great dexterity which almost saw an excellent try scored in the corner. Jack Bennett, Billy Sela, Connor Treacey and Timmins produced brilliant skills, however good Falcons defending Luke Graham from crossing in the corner.

They did end the half on top and took a lead into the break. Hooker Pike rampaged up the right flank, connecting well with George Cottrell and the wing delivered an inside pass to the supporting Davies for an easy run in. Linegar was on hand with the extras to make the half-time score 19-17 in Bath’s favour.

Second half

The scoreline was extended just shy of the 40-minute mark. When Burton was sin binned for a high shot on Graham, Bath made their man advantage count almost immediately through Bennett’s hard carrying and offload setting Ward on a successful trot.

It didn’t dent the Falcons’ spirits of staying in the contest and they levelled the match up with a converted score soon after. Flanker James peeled off from a maul to pierce through Bath’s defence to set up a fairly simple conversion for Redshaw to slot.

The game was evenly poised at 24-24 and there was ambition aplenty from both sides as they searched to edge ahead.

Newcastle were the ones that did so. Charlie Turnbull’s strength in the tackle allowed him to release his hands and send Burton on a sprint and the wing, back from the bin, hared over to move his side five points in front.

That was only for a matter of seconds. Replacement Lock beautifully tiptoed up the touchline to bring Bath on par with Newcastle once again.

Such was the topsy turvy nature, there was still time remaining for each team to take control on the scoreboard.

Redshaw’s penalty shaded the proceedings initially before the winning seven points from Bath.

Rory Crum’s dancing feet saw him make 25 metres or so and when a melee of Blue, Black and White bodies crowded the posts following a Leo Palmer carry, Timmins barged over from close range to seal his hat-trick.

And if that wasn’t enough, the flanker added another from close range to confirm Bath’s hold on ninth place in the U18 Academy League.

HEAD OF ACADEMY CRAIG LILLEY

“We are very proud of the boys this season. Although we would always take team performances and individual development as our main priority, to pick up six wins out of six against quality opposition is a real bonus and should give these young men real confidence moving forward on their rugby journeys post the conclusion of the Under-18 season.

“Our coaches Mark Lilley, Nathan Catt, Lewis Messer and Ryan Davis have done a fantastic job with the players supported by Nick Vanderpump, Chris Offley, Sam Nash and Conor Macintosh. The relationships and connections that have been built between players and staff has have been outstanding.

“To have worked with most of these players since they were 13, it is emotional that for some of them this will be the last time they will wear a Bath shirt. However, we hope the experiences they had will add huge value with whatever they go on to do next.”

Bath Rugby U18 win thriller against Newcastle Falcons on Finals Day

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