Rugby Union: Hot Bath steam on and must thank Jon

English giants Bath have taken a huge step towards qualification for the Heineken European Cup quarter finals thanks to a pulsating victory over champions Brive.

But it was only by the skin of their teeth that they managed to contain the Frenchmen, who put behind them the horrors of last Sunday's battle with Welsh side Pontypridd to put together a fantastic display.

The Frenchmen conceded a massive 20 penalties - but only a couple of them were for mild foul play.

There were no reminders that this Brive team was the same engaged in the 'Battle of Brive' against Pontypridd last week.

But they disappeared under a Callard barrage because of a string of technical offences that offended the law book of experienced Scottish test referee Jim Fleming.

The lead changed hands six times at the Recreation Ground as Bath fought back from behind to cling onto a two-point victory.

Welsh flanker Richard Webster complained when a punch from lock Patrick Lubungu caused a split under his eye, but there were few other nasty incidents.

Full back Jon Callard led by example as acting captain, scoring 17 of his side's points via five penalties and a conversion.

Lizandro Arbizu ran the show for Brive with a try, two penalties and two conversions.

It was a game of total commitment from two sides eager to continue unbeaten Cup runs.

Callard landed a penalty early on but the English side were stunned when a scrum inside the Bath 22 saw scrum-half Sebastien Bonnet pass out to fly-half Alain Penaud, who put winger Pascal Bomati over.

Callard landed another penalty only for Brive to hit back yet again with a try from wing Jerome Carrat.

Callard's third penalty cut the gap, then Mike Catt gave Matt Perry a scoring pass, which Callard converted to bring the home side just a point behind.

Catt scored a vintage try from 40 yards within three minutes of the restart, but then David Venditti hacked the ball over the Bath try line and saw the home defence make a complete shambles of recovering it.

It hit a post and fell to Arbizu, who put his side one up.

Callard's penalty on the hour put Bath back ahead before Arbizu stole the lead again at 25-24 with a penalty for Brive.

Callard settled the match with a nerve-less straight forward- looking penalty which was far less simple because of its importance.

Bath successfully sat on their two-point advantage throughout an anxious final 15 minutes and were so relieved when Arbizu sliced a penalty chance to win the match.

Now Bath must still win at Brive next month to be certain of one of the automatic qualifying places for the quarter final that awaits the winners of each group.

Copyright 1997 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.