Tries from Tom Dunn, Max Ojomoh, Beno Obano, Ben Spencer, along with the boot of Finn Russell noticed Bathtub to Problem Cup last victory over Lyon; resolution to point out Bathtub’s Sam Underhill yellow card as an alternative of purple for prime sort out in twenty eighth minute proved controversial
By Michael Cantillon
Final Up to date: 23/05/25 10:01pm
Max Ojomoh scored one among 4 tries as Bathtub secured the Problem Cup trophy towards Lyon in Cardiff on Friday
Bathtub secured a 37-12 Problem Cup last victory over Lyon in Cardiff on Friday, however solely after flanker Sam Underhill averted a first-half purple card.
Hooker Tom Dunn, centre Max Ojomoh, prop Beno Obano and scrum-half Ben Spencer scored tries for the Premiership outfit on the Principality Stadium, whereas fly-half Finn Russell added 17 factors through his boot (three penalties, 4 conversions).
The main speaking level of the match proved the choice of referee Hollie Davidson – the primary lady to take cost of a European last – to point out Underhill solely yellow for a harmful head-on-head sort out on Lyon full-back Davit Niniashvili at tempo within the twenty eighth minute.
Bathtub wing Will Muir was additionally proven yellow within the opening interval for taking reverse quantity Ethan Dumortier out within the air – however the French aspect’s failure to take their probabilities towards 13 and 14 gamers proved deadly as Bathtub kicked on to complete strongly.
Sam Underhill clattered into the pinnacle of Davit Niniashvili along with his personal head at tempo however averted what appeared a transparent purple card
Lyon kicked off for the ultimate however have been instantly onto the entrance foot when Dumortier leapt excessive to faucet the ball again into the French aspect’s possession – the early assault solely ending when Underhill produced an excellent breakdown turnover.
Nonetheless, Lyon saved up their early strain, dumping Muir into contact simply outdoors the Bathtub 22, and inside moments, the primary strive arrived.
A lineout throw to the tail preceded an excellent maul drive, after which fast fingers from scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud and Niniashvili opened the house for Dumortier to dive over within the nook on three minutes.
Lyon wing Ethan Dumortier slid over for the opening strive in simply the third minute
Simply earlier than the conversion could possibly be taken, a TMO evaluation occurred however replays confirmed the end was inch good and Dumortier grounded the ball earlier than his foot slid into contact.
Leo Berdeu sliced the conversion vast, and a beautiful Russell 50:22 quickly had Bathtub attacking within the 22 as wing Vincent Rattez did not hold it in play.
When Lyon lock Mickael Guillard was penalised for failing to roll away beneath his personal posts, Bathtub and Russell took the simple factors on supply to get onto the scoreboard.
Finn Russell kicked Bathtub’s first factors of the ultimate with a penalty and was good off the tee on the night time
A poor Muir kick out on the total noticed Lyon again onto the assault, but it surely was Bathtub who subsequent got here closest to a strive after Dumortier knocked on in midfield: centre Will Butt slicing by for a line break and simply being stopped brief earlier than his offload was carried again by Lyon.
That defensive intervention handed Bathtub a scrum-five, however they appeared to have tousled the prospect when crossed wires between Russell and Muir noticed the ball land unfastened, just for Couilloud to make the weird resolution to kick the bouncing ball straight out earlier than it had left the airplane of contact.
That allowed Bathtub to maintain attacking and Dunn to ultimately wrestle his approach over from shut vary for his or her opening strive, with Russell changing for a 10-5 lead.
Tom Dunn wrestled his approach over for Bathtub’s opening strive on 20 minutes
One other Bathtub 50:22 – by Spencer this time – had the Premiership outfit again within the 22 shortly after, they usually took ruthless benefit when Ojomoh twisted and flew over on penalty benefit off an extended Spencer cross.
Russell transformed beautifully for a 17-5 lead on 25 minutes, however Underhill was then extraordinarily lucky to keep away from a purple card after driving his head into Niniashvili’s at tempo whereas stood upright – Davidson brandishing solely yellow.
To compound Lyon’s frustration, the official then penalised them on the maul straight after for obstruction, permitting Bathtub to clear.
Hollie Davidson grew to become the primary lady to referee a European last
Bathtub have been decreased to 13 when Muir upended Dumortier beneath a excessive ball in a transparent sin-binning, and Lyon seemingly took full benefit when Dumortier dived over beneath the posts after a neat lineout transfer. The rating was dominated out, nevertheless, when flanker Dylan Cretin was penalised for obstruction after evaluation.
Underhill returned from his yellow card with the rating unchanged, earlier than Lyon failed to attain regardless of large tryline strain earlier than the tip of the half.
Will Muir was sin-binned for taking Dumortier out within the air, decreasing Bathtub to 13 for a interval
Into the second half, an early offside name towards Lyon noticed Russell stretch the result in 20-5 and three scores, however Lyon hit again rapidly by highly effective No 8 Arno Botha simply earlier than Muir returned to revive Bathtub to the total complement.
Berdeu transformed to deliver Lyon inside eight factors, however a spell of Bathtub strain within the 22 ultimately introduced their third strive by Obano with fellow prop Thomas du Toit latched on, restoring daylight on the scoreboard at 27-12.
Lyon appeared a crushed aspect and out of solutions on the hour mark, responding to a giant Bathtub error in full-back Tom de Glanville kicking the ball useless from his personal half by kicking out on the total taking part in off the resultant scrum.
On 63 minutes, the excellent Spencer slid over to substantiate victory after a pacy De Glanville break break up the Lyon defensive position aside.
Scrum-half Ben Spencer made positive of victory when he obtained over for Bathtub’s fourth strive
Russell drove over three extra factors with eight minutes to play, and Lyon had nothing left to reply with.
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