Students on the scoresheet as Bath Rugby fall just short of Premiership Rugby 7s semi-finals

28 July 2018

A Bath Rugby squad featuring five University of Bath students suffered a last-gasp defeat to Harlequins in the quarter-finals of the Premiership Rugby 7s tournament at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.

A late try from Business Masters student and Santander Sporting Scholar Jack Davies looked to have won it for the Blue, Black and White but, with the clock in the red, Quins captain Callum Waters scored from a quickly-taken penalty to seal a 31-29 victory.

Defeat was tough on Bath who had led 19-14 at half-time thanks to three tries, one of them run in from 70m by Levi Davis. Fellow Sports Performance student Darren Atkins, who kicked two conversions, also touched down after the break to extend the advantage to 24-14 before Quins turned the game on its head.

A quick penalty and offload by Davis set up Davies for what looked set to be the decisive try, putting Bath 29-26 up, but there was still time for one final twist.

Bath had started the tournament with an impressive 29-12 victory over Worcester Warriors, with Atkins and University of Bath BUCS Super Rugby captain Tom Doughty (pictured top) both touching down during a first half that finished level at 12-12.

Will Butt, who is set to start studying at the University of Bath in September, and Davis were also on the scoresheet after the break.

Bath’s second group match on Friday saw them trail 19-5 to Exeter Chiefs at half-time, with Davis getting their points, before Will Partington and Doughty – both Sports Performance students – dotted down to reduce the gap to four.

Chiefs responded with two more tries to wrap up a 31-15 victory but Bath progressed to the quarter-finals as Pool C runners-up.

In the Worcester Warriors squad was International Development with Economics student Jordan Ainslie, an England Sevens international and Trendell Sporting Scholar who played for Bath Rugby at last year’s Premiership 7s.

Shame we couldn’t go further – but was an enjoyable experience with a good group of lads 🔵⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/w2JmvyKLAY

— Tom Doughty (@doughty_tom) July 29, 2018

Thank you to Patrick Khachfe/Onside Images and Bath Rugby for the images.

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