Bath are pointed to Euro cup final

Apr 23 2007 Western Mail

Saracens 30-31 Bath

BATH survived a second-half fightback from Saracens to set-up a European Challenge Cup final with Clermont Auvergne.

The West Country club led 28-18 at the interval through tries from Andy Beattie, Danny Grewcock, David Bory and Shaun Berne, but surrendered the initiative in the second half.

Saracens winger Dan Scarbrough ran in a brace at Vicarage Road to help peg back the beaten 2003 finalists, but they could not finish the job.

The home side had tries from Neil de Kock and Kris Chesney disallowed in a tense last quarter with a well-taken brace from winger Rodd Penney keeping them in touch in the first half.

A missed pass from Andy Farrell started the scoring, feeding Thomas Castaignede to draw Joe Maddock before supplying a scoring pass to Penney.

Bath's reply was emphatic, flanker Beattie barging over before Michael Lipman drove to the line and Grewcock was on hand to pick up and score a second.

Glen Jackson hit back with a penalty, but then gifted Bath a third try when his pass was intercepted by Bory, who crossed under the posts.

Saracens further slashed the deficit with Jackson atoning for his earlier error with a penalty and then off loading to Penney, who finished from 25 yards.

But Berne ran through Shane Byrne and de Kock for Bath to lead 28-18 at the break.

Jackson hit back for Saracens after the restart, popping the ball up for Scarbrough, who stepped inside Maddock to touch down, and he went over again in the 71st minute in the corner.

There was only one point in it now, but Bath kept their nerve to see out time.