To be fair to the Devon squad most of their players had played the previous day for various league teams and the Bath squad has been developing well, with regular fixtures this season.
Highlights were a hat-trick of tries each for hooker Dave Ward and wing Jack Cuthbert. Also, lock Adrian Griffiths outpaced all the opposition to score from 60 metres out.
The forwards supplied quick good-quality ball for the backs, from both first and second phase. They also joined in the handling movements and always looked to pass before taking the contact, allowing attacks to continue over many phases. The opposition simply ran out of defenders on numerous occasions, such was the pace set by the young Bath squad.
However, the Devon squad put up good resistance throughout the match and Bath had to work hard for the majority of their scores. The match was very well refereed by Mr Dave Brooks, who communicated well with the players at all times, and this helped to keep the game flowing. Devon now have a few squad sessions before the re-match on Sunday 17th December in Plymouth, which kicks off at 2:00pm.
Scorers:
Tries: Dave Ward 3, Jack Cuthbert 3, Sam Alford, James Doubleday, Dan Cervino, Adrian Griffiths, Jamie Miller, Mike Mangeolles.
Conversions: Scott Simmons 7, Luke Cozens 2.
Drop goal: Scott Simmons
BATH: 15. Charlie Perry (Lee Audis, 60) 14. Jamie Doubleday (Tom Jones, 40) 13. Mike Mangeolles 12. Louis Messer 11. Jack Cuthbert (Alex Carlton-Porter, 70) 10. Scott Simmons (Luke Cozens, 75) 9. Sam Alford (Steven Depledge, 40) 1. Mark Lilley (Elliott Booley, 55) 2. Dave Ward 3. Nathan Catt (captain; Alex Penny, 55) 4. Ian Thomas 5. Adrian Griffiths 6. Dan Cervino (Alex Concannon, 40) 7. Adam Clayton 8. Jamie Miller.
The next match for the Development XV is against the Royal Navy U23s on Sunday 5th November at US Portsmouth, kick-off 2.00pm.
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