Bath made a winning return after two years' absence from the Heineken Cup with
a comfortable victory over Bourgoin.
With a try count of three to nil, Bath will be happy with their performance in
driving wind and rain, conditions which did not deter more than 10,000 from
packing into the Recreation Ground.
The home team was missing inspirational skipper Jonathan Humphreys, a survivor
from the very first European final in 1996.
But it gave an opportunity for younger players like prop Matt Stevens and
flanker James Scaysbrook to make their debut in the competition.
Bourgoin coach Laurent Seigne had a score to settle, having been coach of
Brive when Bath defeated them to win the 1998 final on a memorable day in
Bordeaux.
Stevens, confronted by international loosehead Olivier Milloud, found his
Heineken Cup baptism tough going.
The South African-born powerhouse conceded penalties at two scrums in the
first 15 minutes before settling down to play a decisive role by scoring Bath's
first try.
But that did not come before Bourgoin had opened up a 6-0 lead in the first
quarter of an hour.
French fly-half Benjamin Boyet dropped a goal in the fifth minute and 10
minutes later punished Stevens for his frailties in the front row with a
successful penalty.
Bath, facing a gale blowing corner to corner, took time to get into their
stride but England hopeful Olly Barkley eventually kicked a penalty from in
front of the posts after 25 minutes.
Stevens' try came nine minutes later as he built on good work by Chris Malone
and man of the match Andy Beattie to drive over the line with two defenders on
his back.
Barkley converted despite the difficult cross wind and Bath were finally in
the lead at 10-6.
Boyet landed a 46-metre penalty on the stroke of half-time but it already
appeared that the French side had not really made enough of the elements in
their favour.
Bath stretched their lead eight minutes after the restart after a loose kick
out of defence by Jean-Francois Coux.
England centre Mick Tindall latched on to the loose ball and Bath kept
possession, eventually creating a try on the right when Barkley looped a pass to
blindside flanker Beattie.
Barkley finished off the good work by converting a testing kick from the
touchline.
Whether Bath eased up or Bourgoin redoubled their efforts, the Frenchmen
showed resilience by cutting the lead to five points with another penalty by
Boyet but they then lost flanker Nicolas Bontinck to the sinbin for a
professional foul.
Their increasingly desperate defensive effort was undone in the 64th minute
when Danny Grewcock surged through the French line to set up a ruck and quick
hands saw Brendon Daniel squeeze in at the corner.
For once, Barkley could not defy the appalling weather with his kick but the
result was not in doubt and Bath were back in Europe with a bang.
Teams:
Bath: Malone, Higgins, Fleck, Tindall, Daniel, Barkley, Walshe,
Barnes, Mears, Stevens, Borthwick, Grewcock, Beattie,
Scaysbrook, Fea'unati.
Replacements: Crockett for Fleck (80), Wood for Walshe (65),
Bell for Stevens (72), Fidler for Grewcock (70),
Hawkins for Beattie (78), Delve for Fea'unati (65).
Not Used: Davey.
Tries: Stevens, Beattie, Daniel.
Cons: Barkley 2.
Pens: Barkley.
Bourgoin: A. Forest, Esterhuizen, Venditti, Davis, Coux, Boyet,
M. Forest, Milloud, Cabello, Peyron, Mazel, Pape, Bontinck,
Bonnaire, Raschi.
Replacements: Soucaze for Coux (61), Albina for M. Forest (74),
Pucciarello for Peyron (61).
Not Used: Taumoepeau, Boyoud, Montagnat, Gengenbacher.
Sin Bin: Bontinck (57).
Pens: Boyet 3.
Drop Goals: Boyet.
Att: 10,050
Ref: Rob Dickson (SRFU).
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