Rugby Union Dec 07, 2025

Gallagher Prem: Bath move top of table as Henry Arundell scores late to earn 36-29 win over Saracens

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Gallagher Prem: Bath move top of table as Henry Arundell scores late to earn 36-29 win over Saracens

Bath emerged from the international break with a 36-29 victory over Saracens that propelled them two points clear at the top of the Gallagher Prem.

With the title rivals on course for a 29-29 draw, Henry Arundell pounced by running in his second try in the 76th minute having also opened the scoring for the champions with an early intercept.

The decisive moment was made possible by the wing's England team-mate Max Ojomoh, a final-quarter replacement who skilfully caught Finn Russell's low pass and charged forward before timing the final pass to perfection.

Ojomoh was the matchwinner in England's victory over Argentina a week ago and this was another influential performance from the playmaker who is hoping to retain his Test place in the Six Nations.

It completed an impressive comeback from Bath given they only took the lead for the first time in the 54th minute and had to respond after falling 14-0 behind following a lacklustre start.

Saracens seemed unstoppable as they plundered tries on each of their first two visits to the 22, Max Malins and Juan Martin Gonzalez rounding off precise and ambitious attacks.

Malins went over following an interchange down the left with Lucio Cinti after Noah Caluori had won an aerial duel on the opposite wing, pre-empting an attack from deep.

Tom Willis' carry and off-load were instrumental in Gonzalez's try, but it was Owen Farrell's flat pass to the onrushing Ben Earl that made the score possible. Willis then limped off injured.

Any sense Saracens were coasting vanished when Bath hit back with a Russell penalty and Arundell intercept try from 80 metres out.

Arundell struck after England squad mate Caluori had completed a towering catch only for the ball to be lost several phases later, but the home wing took partial revenge after he beat Arundell to a high ball soon after.

Saracens continued to be deadly in the opposition 22, however, with their next raid given momentum by centre Nick Tompkins making an effective, if unusual carry, and ending with Malins strolling over.

A long-range Farrell drop goal followed but Bath stayed in the hunt with a line-out maul finished by Thomas Du Toit and their power game continued to serve them well early in the second half.

For all the forward pick-and-goes, it was a moment of deception that undid Saracens with Ben Spencer passing a tap penalty to Will Butt to score just as it looked like his pack would carry again.

Bath were in full flight as they registered the bonus point when Arthur Green finished a sweeping move that included strong supporting roles for Josh Bayliss, Arundell and Spencer.

The rivals were proving hard to separate after the scored was tied 29-29 once Gonzalez had finished a series of forward drives.

Elliot Daly, making his first appearance for Saracens since the British and Irish Lions tour, nudged a long-range penalty attempt wide as a grandstand finish beckoned in north London.

The tension grew until Arundell scored the winning try with five minutes left.

Tags:

rugby-union news id:13477562

Share this article

Related Posts

Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake: Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) determined to keep best players after key duo join Gloucester

Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake: Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) determined to keep best players after key duo join Gloucester

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is determined to keep hold of the country's best players after deals for forwards Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to join English...

Scott Robertson: New Zealand rugby coach sacked after internal review amid reports of player quit threats

Scott Robertson: New Zealand rugby coach sacked after internal review amid reports of player quit threats

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has been sacked after a damning internal report into the team's 2025 season and reported threats from senior pl...

Gallagher Prem: Bristol Bears fight back to beat Sale Sharks 19-17 as Newcastle claim first win of season

Gallagher Prem: Bristol Bears fight back to beat Sale Sharks 19-17 as Newcastle claim first win of season

A late converted try from Kalaveti Ravouvou proved just enough for Bristol to maintain their winning run with a 19-17 victory as Sale lost on the road...

Women’s British and Irish Lions Tour 2027: Fixtures, schedule, venues for historic tour of New Zealand

Women’s British and Irish Lions Tour 2027: Fixtures, schedule, venues for historic tour of New Zealand

The dates, fixtures and host cities have been revealed for Howden British & Irish Lions’ historic Women’s Series in New Zealand in 2027. and will...

Champions Cup: Bath rout Edinburgh 63-10 to seal top spot in Pool 2 as Dragons beat Newcastle to advance in Challenge Cup

Champions Cup: Bath rout Edinburgh 63-10 to seal top spot in Pool 2 as Dragons beat Newcastle to advance in Challenge Cup

Bath finished top of Pool 2 in the Champions Cup with a ruthless 63-10 victory over Edinburgh.Edinburgh went in front with an early penalty from Ross...

Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales international commits to Bristol Bears by signing long-term deal

Louis Rees-Zammit: Wales international commits to Bristol Bears by signing long-term deal

Wales back Louis Rees-Zammit has signed a long-term deal with Bristol, having joined the Bears for the 2025-26 season after ending his 18-month spell...