Ten Bath Rugby Academy players were involved for Team Bath in their first win of the 2022/23 BUCS Super Rugby season as they beat Leeds Beckett 24-5 in Yorkshire on Wednesday afternoon.
Archie Stanley, Jasper Spandler and Archie Griffin made up the front row from the start with Eddie Erskine and Ethan Staddon named in the second row and back row respectively.
Sam Harris was included at fly-half and Byron Lloyd-Gilmour took up a slot on the left wing while Scott Kirk, Mackenzie Graham and Murdoch Lock appeared as replacements.
Abdul-Khalik Akenzua Al Kareem started at openside flanker for Leeds Beckett.
Team Bath got off to a strong start as co-captain Tom Williams and England U20 international Spandler both scored tries from driven lineouts in the opening stages.
Lloyd-Gilmour then finished off some good wide attacking play and Alfie Garside added the conversion to put the visitors 17-0 up at half-time.
They quickly stretched that to 24-0 when Sam Mercer finished off another good move in the corner and Garside again added the extras.
Team Bath had more chances to add to their total but couldn’t take them and it was Leeds Beckett who notched the only other points when they grabbed a late consolation try.
Aaron James, Head of Rugby at the University of Bath, said: “It’s always a tough game when we come to Leeds so it’s great to get five points on the road. The defence was outstanding and I was really pleased with the level of work rate right throughout the team. We will definitely take confidence from this performance and result, and build on it.”
Next up for Team Bath is a short trip to Hartpury on Wednesday 12 October before they return to the Sports Training Village on Wednesday 19 October to face Cardiff Met (kick-off 18:30, free entry).
They then head to The Rec on Wednesday 26 October for the return of the Rengen-sponsored Anniversary Game.
League champions Durham will provide the opposition for the University of Bath student-sport showcase and free tickets are available now.
