Zurich Premiership leaders Bath snatched a bonus point at the death but could
so easily have been left with nothing from their trip to Millmoor.
Rotherham, the whipping boys of the Zurich Premiership, capitalised on Bath's
errors to score two tries - and little suggested these teams were at opposite
ends of the table, such was the home side's commitment and tenacity.
In the end though Bath shrugged off the challenge from the Yorkshireman to
score late tries from centre Alex Crockett and full-back Wylie Human.
The bonus point stretched their lead over second-placed Wasps to 10 points
and opened up such a gulf from the chasing pack that Heineken
Cup qualification is now a foregone conclusion.
Bath, who have stormed to the top of the table without ever fielding a settled
back line, again found themselves without World Cup winners Mick Catt, Iain
Balshaw and Mike Tindall as well as Lions full-back Matt Perry.
Rotherham, having decided upon not so much an injection but a transfusion of
new blood opted to give their first start to lock Corniel Van Zyl and prop Riaan
Olckers in the pack.
Local talent is being given its head too. Hallam University student Lee
Blackett made his debut on the left wing and while former Bath hooker Andy Long
lined up against his old team Bath had just taken a sixth-minute lead through
the boot of Olly Barkley when the fly-half uncharacteristically overtook a
clearance kick from just outside the 22.
Fastest to react was Rotherham flanker Ryno van der Merwe, who fed Geraint
Lewis from the quick throw in and the former Pontypridd number eight galloped 25
metres for the try.
Jon Benson was wide with the conversion but Barkley was also out of form with
his kicking and missed two relatively easy penalties before the break.
Meanwhile right-wing Giscard Pieters pulled off a try saving tackle on
Scotland wing Simon Danielli but they could have gone further ahead themselves
when Argentinian full-back Bernardo Stortoni intercepted near his own line -
only for a try-saving tackle by Alex Crockett to save Bath further
embarrassment.
The visitors had been trailing for a full half-hour before Barkley wriggled
over for a try under the post, converting his own score.
Bath struck again in first-half injury time when number eight Zak Feaunati
stormed over on the left, again for Barkley to convert, leaving the visitors
17-8 ahead at the interval.
If they thought they were in for an easy ride they had a rude shock just 15
seconds into the second half when Rotherham flanker Brad Macleod-Henderson
charged down a Martyn Wood clearance to score, Benson adding the conversion.
Rotherham were back in front in the 55th minute through Benson's penalty -
just reward for a hugely committed performance, especially by their back row.
Barkley quickly responded with another penalty - but it was the leaders who
were under pressure defending a two-point lead until they broke out to score
those two late tries.
Teams:
Rotherham: Stortoni, Pieters, Pritchard, Umaga, Blackett,
Benson, Easterby, Lloyd, Long, Olkers, van Zyl, Gross,
Van Der Merwe, McLeod-Henderson, Lewis.
Replacements: Jorgensen for Umaga (62), Jones for Benson (79),
Johnson for Long (62), Dorsey for Olkers (49).
Not Used: Kenworthy, Greeff, Rhodes.
Tries: Lewis, McLeod-Henderson.
Cons: Benson.
Pens: Benson 2.
Bath: Human, A. Higgins, Maggs, Crockett, Dalzell, Barkley,
Wood, Flatman, Humphreys, Bell, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie,
Lipman, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Blake for Crockett (79), Mears for Humphreys (62), Fidler for Grewcock (79),
Scaysbrook for Lipman (64).
Not Used: Barnes, Knox, Gray.
Tries: Barkley, Fea'unati, Crockett, Human.
Cons: Barkley 4.
Pens: Barkley 2.
Att: 6,195
Ref: G Ashton-Jones (RFU).
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