Mike Catt turned a virtuoso performance in the rain as Bath refused to let
their chances of qualifying for the Heineken Cup quarter finals finally die.
The fly-half inspired a remarkable five-try victory in Pool Four, crossing
twice himself.
Cheered on by some 600 supporters who made the journey from Bath the former
champions gave Castres a lesson in three-quarter play and finishing.
A late afternoon downpour had left the pitch at the Stade Pierre Antoine
sodden and slippery - far from ideal conditions for Bath's wide game.
The English side made their intentions clear however from the first couple of
minutes when Catt nearly put Kevin Maggs clear.
Castres' defence held out but only for a couple of minutes before Catt slipped
a tackle to score under the posts. Unfortunately Matt Perry missed the simple
conversion.
The rest of the half was dominated by the French club's impressive forwards,
with Scottish play-maker Gregor Townsend first kicking a penalty and then
finding touch from a penalty close to the Bath line.
That set up the position for Irish lock Jeremy Davidson to collect an accurate
throw and be driven over the line for an unconverted try.
Townsend kicked two more penalties before the break but Bath remained
dangerous on the break and on 33 minutes Catt cut through from 45 metres out,
leaving defenders for dead as he crossed for his second try.
Castres' 14-10 half-time lead was wiped out just 27 seconds after the interval
and Bath's pace created a try on the left from teenage winger Tom Voyce.
The Bath forwards were now beginning to get the measure of their opponents,
who lost hooker Remi Vigneaux with an elbow injury on the hour.
Voyce very nearly scored again soon afterwards and Iain Balshaw on the other
wing was only inches away from collecting a cross-kick from Catt into the
in-goal area.
However, Bath's fourth try fell to veteran second row Martin Haag,
celebrating his 300th appearance in grand style with a try from a well-worked
line-out move after 65 minutes.
Perry's conversion put Bath eight points ahead and when the full-back added a
penalty 10 minutes later, the ranks of travelling supporters began their
celebrations.
A stunning try by scrum-half Gareth Cooper again converted by Perry had them
on their feet again and a try in injury-time by Guillaume Delmotte was no real
consolation for Castres.
The victory continued a remarkable record for Bath in France, following their
win in the Toulouse last season and the success in winning the 1998 competition
against Brive in Bordeaux.
Teams:
Castres: Plisson, Sarramea, Artiguste,
Delmotte, Garrigues,
Townsend, Seguier, Reggiardo, R. Vigneaux, Tsabadze, Laluque,
Davidson, Taussac, Labrousse, Lassissi.
Not Used: Batut, Bemazet, Bonorino, Chinaro, Diaz, Denechaud, Albouy
Tries: Delmotte, Davidson
Pens: Townsend 3
Bath: Perry, Balshaw, Maggs, Berne, Voyce, Catt, Cooper, Emms,
Regan, Mallett, Haag, Borthwick, G. Thomas, Lyle, Clarke.
Not Used: Preston, Long, Barnes, A. Adebayo, Thirlby,
N. Thomas, Lloyd
Tries: Voyce, Catt 2, Cooper, Haag
Cons: Perry 2
Pens: Perry.
Att: 3,500
Ref: S De Santis (Italy).
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