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Bath can move a step closer to the knock-out stages with a 12th straight Amlin Challenge Cup triumph when they face Calvisano on Saturday. - 07/12/2012 10:15
Bath can move a step closer to the knock-out stages with a 12th straight Amlin Challenge Cup triumph when they face Calvisano on Saturday.
The West Country giants boast a 100 per cent record in Pool Four, having collected maximum points in their victories over Agen and Bucharest Wolves, and have included Sam Vesty in the midfield.
Another victory at the Rec, over Calvisano who are still searching for their first victory in the competition, would see Bath put one foot in the quarter-final stages.
But they will go into the clash without star duo Matt Banahan and Lee Mears. Banahan was red-carded for a dangerous tackle in the club’s slender defeat to Leicester on the weekend and has subsequently been slapped with a three-week ban.
Mears was also cited following the ill-tempered encounter and he has been banned for two weeks after being found guilty of striking an opponent.
Francois Louw was also red carded against Leicester but has been cleared to play.
Calvisano go into the clash on the back of a 69-3 victory over L'Aquila.
Match Facts
• Bath Rugby have won their last 11 games in the Amlin Challenge Cup.
• Cammi Rugby Calvisano have only won two of their 14 games played in this competition.
• Samuela Vunisa has registered the most carries (32) in the Amlin Challenge Cup 2012/13.
Bath Rugby had a field day in their Round 3 contest against Cammi Rugby Calvisano as they ran in 10 tries at the Recreation Ground. - 08/12/2012 16:34
Bath Rugby had a field day in their Round 3 contest against Cammi Rugby Calvisano as they ran in 10 tries at the Recreation Ground.
New signing Nick Koster took just 25 minutes to open his scoring account with the first of their flood of tries.
The South African No8 was eased into action with his new club as they banked a third maximum five-point haul from the 67-11 stroll to take charge of the group in real style.
The 2008 tournament champions and 1998 Heineken Cup winners ended up running riot, with centre Horacio Agulla cashing in with a brace of tries as the Rec crowd enjoyed a try fest.
The bonus point was safely tucked away when skipper Guy Mercer crossed early in the second half and by the final quarter Bath players were running them in almost at will.
Mark McMillan, Josh Ovens, Dominic Day, Kane Palmer Newport and David Attwood all got in on the act, with the Italians also conceding a penalty try as they were put to the sword.
Tom Heathcote was given plenty of goal kicking practice and Bath will now travel to Italy for the return tie next weekend in confident mood, before playing Bucharest Wolves and Agen next month in the final stages of a Pool they are dominating.
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