MATCH REPORT | Saracens U18 45 - 45 Bath Rugby U18
Saracens U18 kicked off their Prem Next Gen campaign with a thrilling draw against a formidable Bath side at StoneX Stadium.
The catch-and-drive proved to be an effective weapon for the hosts, as Jack Pattison’s side scored three first-half tries off the back of rolling mauls to edge ahead at the break.
The Men in Black wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet, crossing inside the opening three minutes. An early penalty allowed Henry Hodgson to kick into the corner, and from there the pack powered over with Charles Rotimi claiming his first try of the afternoon.
Bath responded with two quick scores to take the lead inside the first 10 minutes, but Saracens hit back through another maul in the wide channels, with Hodgson landing an impressive touchline conversion. Rotimi then struck again from yet another dominant drive to round off the half for the hosts. Bath, however, narrowed the deficit just before the whistle with winger Harry Jones going over to leave Sarries four points in front at the break.
The second half started just as frantically, but this time Bath took advantage of Saracens’ ill-discipline to score a driving-maul try of their own. With momentum behind them, the visitors added two more similar efforts in the corner, opening up a 17-point lead heading into the final half-hour.
Sarries, though, refused to lie down. Dan Lake crashed over under the sticks to reignite hope, before Barney Hooks finished cleverly in the corner to pull the hosts back within striking distance. Bath landed another blow with yet another maul try, but Saracens kept themselves alive.
With the clock winding down, two late scores from the Men in Black set up a dramatic finish. A well-worked set-piece try and a tap-and-go effort from close range brought the game level with the final play, ensuring the points were shared in North London.
Coach, Duncan Taylor reflected positively on the result.
“We’ve had a great couple of weeks of training building up to that game, and I think you could see the boys really buying into what we’ve been working on.
It was a proper end-to-end contest, but to come back from 17 points down in the last 15 minutes and get that result really showed what it means to be part of this team and part of Saracens.”
Sarries U18s now travel to Yorkshire next Friday for Round Two before a short break for the school autumn term.
