Bath Close Gap To Set Up Great Tie At The Rec

Bath lost the first leg of the quarter final of the Parker Pen Cup 24-19 to Beziers in France to set themselves up with a really good chance of progressing through to the next round. Let's have a look at how the various sports news agencies reported this match...

Scrum.com
Zurich Premiership leaders Bath lost in France tonight but a brave second-half fightback earned them an excellent chance of advancing to the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-finals. 
 
John Connolly's men lost to Beziers 24-19 after trailing 24-3 at half-time under miserable conditions in front of 2,500 fans at Stade Mediterranee. 
 
But the Australian coach will be confident of overturning the deficit when he invites Beziers to the Recreation Ground for the return match next season. 
 
The home side scored almost at will in the opening half, extending their lead to 21 points at the break on the back of tries from fullback Alain Bousquet and centre Guilluame Delmotte and a penalty try. Bath's only response was an Olly Barkley penalty. 
 
Barkley added two more goals early in the second half as Bath began to string some passes together, but it was the 75th minute before they breached the Beziers try-line. 
 
Scotland winger Simon Danielli scored in the corner, and Barkley's sideline conversion gave visiting fans hope of an unlikely victory. 
 
But Bath could add only another Barkley penalty as the French defence held firm. 
 
The winner of the tie play either Saracens or Montferrand in the semi-finals. 

Ananova .com

Bath lost 24-19 in Beziers but a brave second-half fightback earned them an excellent chance of advancing to the Parker Pen Challenge Cup semi-finals.

John Connolly's men trailed 24-3 at half-time under miserable conditions at Stade Mediterranee.

But the Australian coach will be confident of overturning the deficit for the second leg next week.

The home side scored almost at will in the opening half, with tries from full-back Alain Bousquet and centre Guilluame Delmotte and a penalty try.

Bath's only response was an Olly Barkley penalty.

Barkley added two more goals early in the second half as Bath began to string some passes together, but it wasn't until the 75th minute that they breached the Beziers try-line.

Scotland winger Simon Danielli scored in the corner, and Barkley's sideline conversion gave visiting fans hope of an unlikely victory.

But Bath could add only another Barkley penalty as the French defence held firm.

The winner of the tie play either Saracens or Montferrand in the semi-finals.

BBC Sport.co.uk

Zurich Premiership leaders Bath lost 24-19 away to Beziers but coach John Connolly is confident his side can overcome the defecit in the second leg.

The home side led 24-3 at half-time after tries from fullback Alain Bousquet and centre Guilluame Delmotte and a penalty try while Bath's only response was an Olly Barkley penalty.

Barkley added two more goals early in the second half but it was the 75th minute before they breached the Beziers try-line through Simon Danielli while Barkley converted and added another penalty.

CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINALS First legs Saturday 24 January Harlequins 41-8 Brive Beziers 24-19 Bath Narbonne 18-27 Connacht Sunday 25 January Montferrand v Saracens (1400) Second legs Saturday 31 January Connacht v Narbonne (1400) Bath v Beziers (1415) Sunday 1 February Brive v Harlequins (1400) Saracens v Montferrand (1500)