By Benjamin Jones and Owen Nelson
USW withstood a late surge by Bath to record a hard-fought win in what was a very competitive encounter.
USW started on the front foot, dominating possession and creating a number of chances.
The hosts went ahead in the seventh minute with a penalty first points of the game came at the seven minute mark. USW won a penalty and Ben Simmonds converted it from 26 yards out.
USW almost added more points straight from kick-off. Ryan Eaton broke the line of play, only to be stopped at his 25-yard line.
After another spell of dominance, USW got their first try in 18 minutes. A nice string of play led to USW’s Harry Phillips scoring his first of the game.
A few minutes after, USW’s Phillips was sin sin-binned collapsing the ruck. This didn’t affect USW, however. They got their second try of the game immediately after the yellow card. Liam Scourfield broke through the defensive line to score the try.
Bath’s No. 3 got a yellow card just before the break due to illegal play at the breakdown. USW responded by scoring their third try of the half, by way of Jamal Abdilahi. USW had a lead of 22-0 at half-time.
Quick thinking from USW’s right-winger who took a free-kick, drove to the line and Ryan Eaton powered over. The conversion was missed.
The visitors got on the board through a good carry by the hooker, who offloaded to the winger who scored the try.
The second came moments later. A succession of passes lead to No.11 being found in the corner, who powered to the line and scored to closed the gap again.
Bath were not done there though. No.18 broke through the line and was tackled, but a clever offload to the full-back who touched down under the post.
Their fourth successive try was a USW mistake. The away side marched down the field and 15 got his second of the game. The try was converted and Bath were up 28-27.
USW replied swiftly with two of their own tries to silence the Bath onslaught. A penalty to USW was kicked into touch, and the following lineout was driven to the line, with number five going over.
Bath were then reduced to 14 men. An almost mirror pattern of play to the previous try resulted in 11 going over in the corner. Bath would score one more try but not enough as USW moved into the next round of the cup.
