Bath Rugby U18s came away with an impressive victory over London Irish U18s on Saturday in the final round of the Premiership Rugby U18s academy league – Southern conference at Trowbridge RFC.
Bath got off to a strong start early on with the first try of the game coming after just a minute. Fly-half Orlando Bailey took the ball flat to the line before sending winger Owen Dudman through on a sharp attacking line. The winger found Ewan Richards outside him, the lock taking the ball to metres out before providing a clever pop pass to Gabriel Goss, the winger crashing over from close range. Bailey added the extras from the tee. [7-0]
The home side extended their lead after 26 minutes, through a set piece move at the scrum. The ball was shifted out to Bailey, who again sent Dudman clear through the defensive line, this time drawing in the final man before sending George Worboys in to score. Bailey made it a seven-point score, with his conversion sailing through the uprights. [14-0]
Half-time – Bath Rugby U18s 14-0 London Irish U18s
London Irish responded with 54 minutes on the clock, recording their first points of the afternoon. Winger Michael Dykes going in to score. The conversion from fly-half Monty Bradbury brought his side to within just seven points of the hosts. [14-7]
However, it was bath with the final word of the afternoon. As Dudman capitalised on a mistake from the visitors. A London Irish pass went astray and the winger and pounced on the loose ball to score the third of the day as the final whistle blew. [19-7]
Full-time – Bath Rugby U18s 19-7 London Irish U18s
Bath Rugby U18s will now face Wasps U18 on Sunday in the third-place playoff of the Premiership Rugby U18s league, narrowly missing out on a place in the final, Gloucester snatching poll position with a bonus point victory over Exeter on Saturday.
