Heartbreak for Bath as underdogs take Saracens to wire

Saracens overcame a spirited Bath 37-31 in an enthralling back-and-forth Gallagher Premiership encounter at the StoneX Stadium.

Tries from Alex Goode, Max Malins, Elliot Daly and Alex Lewington and stellar goalkicking from Owen Farrell secured the result for the table-topping hosts.

Bath took the game to the wire, thanks to scores from Matt Gallagher, Joe Cokanasiga, Max Ojomoh and Wesley White along with the boot of Orlando Bailey.

The hosts were faster out of the blocks, as Goode created a gap between Cameron Redpath and Ruaridh McConnochie with a nifty dummy to get a clear run in for the score.

Bath responded perfectly, as Cokanasiga forced the aforementioned Goode to spill the ball with a well-timed hit, Gallagher then opportunistically hacked the ball forward and chased before juggling it into his arms to go over the white-wash uncontested.

Bailey next kicked a penalty to hand a shock lead to the visitors, who were really appearing to settle into both head coach Johann Van Graan and defensive coach JP Ferreira’s respective offensive and defensive philosophies.

Saracens got a penalty of their own after Bath were caught offside following a Daly break down the centre, allowing Farrell to slot his side level.

Farrell added another three points to Sarries’ total after the Blue, Black and White were caught not rolling away following a tackle, and then three more with the final play of the half after Josh Bayliss’ attempted rip on Billy Vunipola in his own 22 was deemed illegal.

Once again Saracens were more lively following the kick-off, as a baffling looping pass from Quinn Roux was predatorily snatched up by Malins for an uncontested run-in.

Bath’s response mirrored the first half, as Ollie Lawrence fended off both Lewington and Alex Lozowski along the right before passing the ball inside to Cokanasiga to score the try.

Following D’Arcy Rae’s dismissal to the sin bin after a high tackle on Ben Earl, Saracens capitalised as Daly cut a smart line to overcome Gallagher on the line.

Mark McCall’s men had their tails up, adding another as Theo McFarland caught the Bath defensive line out of position, running into the gap before passing outside to Lewington to score.

But Van Graan’s men were not giving in, as Lawrence once again proved provider for a team-mate, utilising nifty footwork to overcome two defenders before passing the ball outside to Ojomoh for an easy finish in the corner.

Bath set some tense final minutes as White fended off two defenders from short range to drive over the line with a burrowing carry, but the deficit was too great to overcome despite a brave final attack.