A TURNING POINT?

The euphoria following Bath’s comprehensive, if unexpected defeat of Exeter 2 weekends ago sparked contrasting reactions. For optimists, perhaps influenced as much by the return of matchday sunshine as the performance, this was the day it all came together. The future is bright. Those whose glasses are perpetually half empty to dry will counter that Chiefs shot themselves in the foot, Bath butchered a simple overlap when in command and there are no easy fixtures at the season’s tail end. Could all these be true at the same time? Or was 26 March really a turning point?

Against Chiefs several of the foundations were much improved from recent matches. The lineout, albeit limited in ambition, functioned much more securely than previously. The breakdown was contested with more urgency and vigour, Cloete, Reid and Redpath especially winning vital turnovers. Perhaps most satisfying of all was the solidity and increasing dominance of the scrum. As Johann van Graan noted, this was only the second time that Obano, Dunn and Stuart had appeared together this season. Keeping those three fit and firing seems vital not only to the rest of this campaign but the future also.

The press defence and kicking game that we have come to expect as a van Graan hallmark certainly pressured Exeter and by shackling their running game, reduced their attack to the more predictable maul or pick and drive. There was also greater breadth and depth to Bath’s own attack as the tries by Redpath, Cokanasiga and Lawrence and even the wasted overlap testified. Pleasingly this was Orlando Bailey’s most assured performance of the season, both ball in hand and in tactical kicking.

In the Rec you could feel a distinct sense of self belief among the players from the moment Cameron Redpath sliced through to score. Even when Bath fell behind to two rumbling Devonian responses, the players looked confident they could turn the game in their favour- which they did, just in time for the break. One club source stated before the match that the two most influential signings this season have been Rory Murray, Head of Medical Services and Alex Martin, Head of Athletic Performance. Their input has driven the fitness that allowed Bath’s dominance of the second half and the skills to support more ambitious handling and accuracy in kicking for ground gain.

Of course there is no guarantee of a fairy tale end to the season. Away fixtures at Kingsholm and the Stoop followed by a final weekend visit by rampant Saracens are all tough challenges, but after their Chiefs win, the players will be hungry for more.

Let’s leave the last word with Johann van Graan, who made it clear on arrival that turnaround would be a mid to long- term project.

"I am very glad for everyone at Bath Rugby, especially for the players: they know we have been making small improvements week on week it’s not always evident but today it was.

"That was good reward for all the management's hard work and the fans because they have been fantastic in their support. The fact It was a convincing win is a good sign for the future.”

That one game may not have been a turning point, but the victory and style in which it was achieved may prove in hindsight to have been a tipping point. We shall see in weeks to come.

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