Amlin Challenge Cup Final 2014: Bath Rugby vs. Northampton Saints Score, Report

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: May 23, 2014

commentComment        

Two teams that had endured long waits for a trophy played out a predictably spiky and scrappy affair in the 2014 Amlin Challenge Cup final. Ultimately, it was Northampton Saints who bested Bath Rugby 30-16, per BBC Sport, but it was only after a furious second-half fightback.



The victory was largely created by Bath's penchant for self-destruction. Head coach Mike Ford's team had been firmly in control prior the break.

Bath's ability to frustrate Northampton in the scrum was a particular key. They routinely won the right to own the second-phase ball from loose scrums.

That ensured Northampton's game rarely had any flow or verve. Without those qualities, the team led by on-pitch talisman Stephen Myler never built any momentum.

Of course, Bath were able to count on their own star performer, flanker Francois Louw. The powerful-running Springbok, who returned from injury for the final, per Telegraph writer Gavin Mairs, led by example.

He routinely flattened Northampton runners, destroying Northampton advances high up the pitch. That meant Bath were often well-placed to counter. Louw and company did so with ruthless efficiency.

One obvious danger man was Bath speedster Anthony Watson. The 20-year-old full-back never missed a chance to dart through an opening with pace Northampton just couldn't nullify.

Daily Mirror writer Alex Spink marvelled at Watson's speed for Bath's first-half try:



For a long time it looked as if the game would prove to be a fond farewell for long-standing Bath full-back Nick Abendanon. He prepared to walk off into retirement having helped Bath secure their first major prize since 2008. Abendanon must have been confident that would happen after his team built a 13-6 advantage.

But after the interval, everything that could go wrong, promptly did. Truthfully, there was an increase in commitment and ferocity fro...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!