Bath Rugby denied in pre-season opener as Newcastle snatch late draw in France

BATH RUGBY 21 NEWCASTLE FALCONS 21

Ryan Shortland’s late try denied Bath Rugby victory in their opening pre-season friendly of the summer as Newcastle Falcons came from behind to snatch a draw in Beziers, France last night.

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   Matt Banahan’s second-half try was not enough to hand Bath Rugby a pre-season victory over Newcastle Falcons in Beziers, France last night

   
   

Matt Banahan looked to have won an even game for Bath when he crossed the whitewash eight minutes from time but Shortland struck back to ensure newly-promoted Falcons left Stade de la Mediterranne with something to show for their efforts.

The game was part of the Beziers Feria – the region’s answer to the Rio de Janeiro Carnival – and acted as an exciting preview ahead of the two sides’ Aviva Premiership opener at Kingston Park on Friday, September 6.

Bath dominated the first half and Anthony Perenise gave them the lead when he drove over for a try in the corner following a lineout, with Tom Heathcote converting.

Anthony Watson continued his impressive start to life in a Bath jersey following a summer switch from London Irish when he touched down before the break, and another successful Heathcote kick pushed the lead to 14-0 at the break.

Newcastle stormed back in the second half, however, and Shortland grabbed his first try of the night within two minutes of the restart. Phil Godman added the extras.

Godman then split the posts again when Noah Cato crossed the whitewash to bring Falcons level and set up an exciting finish.

Banahan thought he had won the game for Bath with a try converted by Ollie Devoto as the game entered its final stages, only for Shortland and the boot of Godman to tie the scores at the death.

Bath get their home pre-season campaign under way on Saturday when local rivals Bristol visit The Rec (3pm).

BATH RUGBY: Watson, Rokoduguni, Banahan, Devoto, Biggs, Heathcote, Stringer, Catt, Batty, Perenise, Hooper, Garvey, Skuse, Mercer, Houston. Replacements: Dunn, James, Palma-Newport, Day, Spencer, Sisi, Gilbert, Koster, Roberts, Young, Cook, Fa’osiliva.

Tries: Perenise, Watson, Banahan. Conversions: Heathcote 2, Devoto.

NEWCASTLE FALCONS: Catterick, Higgins, Tait, Crockett, Brown, Hodgson, Pilgrim, Strain, Thompson, Wilson, Tomes, McKenzie, Mayhew, Welch, York. Replacements: Blair, del Fava, Tait, MacLeod, Godman, Shortland, Cato, Tomaszczyk, Vickers, Lawson, Barnes, Helleur, Tait, Hogg, Barrow.

Tries: Shortland 2, Cato. Conversions: P Godman 3.

Referee: R Poite (France)

Bath Rugby denied in pre-season opener as Newcastle snatch late draw in France