Burke's work undone as Bath surge to victory
Newcastle 16 Bath 27
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Olly Barkley had missed penalty opportunities which allowed the hosts to gain the initial advantage, before Cory Harris was sent to the sin bin just before the interval. The visitors then scored four tries - through Matt Stevens, Martyn Wood, Isaac Feaunati and James Scaysbrook - to claim a bonus point.
Bath started brightly, with the hosts barely touching the ball before Barkley opened the scoring with the simplest of penalties for offside. However, the England international missed his next three kicks - all from awkward angles on the left.
The Australian veteran Matt Burke, in contrast, coolly kicked the hosts level from a simple position after eight minutes. Burke relieved Dave Walder of kicking duties, but the England hopeful executed a 25th-minute drop goal.
Burke extended the lead with another penalty, and the first try of the afternoon was also provided by Burke after he received a pass from Walder in the 38th minute. Burke tricked two opponents with his dummy to score.
Stevens reduced arrears in first-half injury time when he stole in on the blind-side, before Harris saw yellow for an infringement in a maul.
Bath were within a point in the 48th minute through Wood after an advantage from the referee Ashley Rowden. Wood's pass hit Andy Perry in an offside position, and while players appealed the Bath man scored. Barkley converted.
The visitors were ahead in the 58th minute when Feaunati was bundled over after a drive, with Barkley converting. The bonus point was sealed when Scaysbrook crossed.
Newcastle: Try Burke; Conversion Burke; Penalties Burke 2; Drop goal Walder. Bath: Tries Stevens, Wood, Feaunati, Scaysbrook; Conversions Barkley 2; Penalty Barkley.
Newcastle: M Burke; A Elliott, J Noon, M Mayerhofler, M Tait; D Walder, H Charlton; M Ward, A Long, R Morris, A Perry, G Parling, O Finegan, C Harris, C Charvis (capt). Replacements: D Wilson, M Thompson, T Paoletti, M McCarthy, B Woods, J Grindal, T Flood.
Bath: M Perry; D Bory, T Cheeseman, O Barkley, A Higgins; A Dunne, M Wood; D Barnes, D Mears, M Stevens, S Borthwick, D Grewcock, A Beattie, J Scaysbrook, I Feaunati. Replacements: P Dixon, D Bell, G Delve, J Hudson, N Walshe, S Finau, S Davis.
Referee: A Rowden (Berkshire).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments