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Bath Rugby player ratings from Bedford Blues win - 'Turned the game around'

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Bath Rugby came from behind to avoid an almighty shock at the hands of Bedford Blues on Saturday, winning 21-7 at Goldington Park in the third pool stage game of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

In biblical conditions, Bath could not find their attacking game at all, while Bedford showed some brilliant patience and defence to keep the visitors at bay. After a nil all first half, it was the hosts who scored first, with Will Maisey collecting his own chip and chase to give the hosts a deserved lead. However, Bath would not be denied the win as they finally put some power together, with Alfie Barbeary collecting a brace while Kepu Tuipulotu dotted down to give Bath a 21-7 win.

Rugby reporter Sam Jess takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bath players....

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15 Austin Emens - 4

Having featured on the wing this season for Bath, Emens had a solid enough game at fullback in testing conditions, but that was about it. A poor mistake after a Bedford chip did allow the hosts to continue their momentum, but that was a blip. He made a poor choice to throw an offload close to the line which resulted in a knock on.

14 Regan Grace (debut) - 5

Making his professional club rugby debut, Grace had a few glimpses of promise with some quick feet but other than it was a his debut it wasn't a memorable one.

13 Louie Hennessey - 4

Fresh after signing a new contract with the club, Hennessey was slow to get going with a few attacking moves not in synch with the backline. His defence was strong but not his best work.

12 Max Ojomoh - 4

In his first start of the season, having injured his knee in pre-season, the centre was not at his best, with some poor handling mistakes costing Bath some openings. His handling improved, but the connection with Hennessey was not there, as Ojomoh showed some rustiness.

11 Ruaridh McConnochie - 5

The winger had a quiet game but did come close to scoring the first points with a neat dive into the corner.

10 Orlando Bailey - 6

While it not his best start in an attacking sense, Bailey's boot was useful in giving Bath some field position. The start of the second half saw more control in attack from the fly-half, but a poor pass to Austin Emens meant Bath again missed another chance

9 Tom Carr-Smith - 5

The nine did not have his best game as he was unable to find the zip and skill shown in the previous cup games.

1 Arthur Cordwell - 7

Some strong scrums from Cordwell helped Bath eventually find the power and earned a few penalties.

2 Jasper Spandler - 5

The lineout mainly was a success, but with minutes until halftime, it failed as Bath again failed to work when close to Bath's line.

3 Kieran Verden - 7

The scrum was Bath's best weapon in the game, and it got them out of jail a few times.

4 Mackenzie Graham - 5

In his first start in the Cup this season, the lock made a strong start in defence but did make a handling error with Bath attacking just outside the 22. This was a blip, though, as the flanker made a strong surge with ball in hand a few minutes later and had a decent game.

5 Ewan Richards © - 6

The captain made a bright start to proceedings with some powerful carries, but the lineout went poorly when it needed it most; however, he was once again a constant in all that Bath did well.

6 Ethan Staddon - 5

While Bath never got going, Staddon was a constant figure as Bath's power eventually telling.

7 Thompson Cowan - 6

It was not his best game, with the flanker unable to get his attacking game going.

8 Alfie Barbeary - 7

Starting once again, the Bath eight gave Bedford some easy access into the 22 with a side entry into a ruck. The eight made amends, though, with a strong tackle holding the Blues. A little chip in behind moments later got his game back on track. However, a drop from a rolling maul saw him blow an easy try. After a slow first half, Barbeary had some key interventions in the second half, first stopping a try from the host with a super bit of defence before scoring a try of his own. A neat finish in the corner earned a late Bath win.

Replacements

16 Kepu Tuipulotu - 7

Adding power to the game, the hooker showed his skill before powering over for a crucial try. A neat chip and chase gave Bath fans something to cheer about in a damp squib of a game.

17 Archie Stanley - N/A

18 Mikey Summerfield - N/A

19 Arthur Green - N/A

20 Jaco Coetzee - A knee injury moments after coming on meant his afternoon lasted only a mere matter of minutes.

21 Neil Le Roux - 6

The nine added some impetus to proceedings, and a kick and chase applied pressure in Bedford's 22

22 Ciaran Donoghue - N/A

23 Will Parry - N/a