The Blue and Gold's put in a dominant performance and were able to claim their first win of the season in the BUCS Super League as Bath prepare for the visit of Hartpury College next week.

Cardiff were the first to cross the whitewash after just two minutes with a quick tap and go penalty catching Bath off guard as George Thomas went over. Ed Dunford slotted his effort through the posts to extend the score. [0-7]

Bath reacted well to the early set-back, the forwards turning over possession well and producing a strong driving maul towards the line, with Tom Rowland being the beneficiary and crashing over with a pick and go from short range. Benn Morris added the extras to level the scores. [7-7]

In a frantic attacking display in the opening exchanges it was Cardiff who regained the lead just minutes later with a drop-goal from Dunford, but Jordi Den Hartog capitalised from yet another solid driving maul execution to give Bath the lead. [12-10]

Bath added their third score of the evening from a powerful driving maul, Hartog again finding himself dotting down the ball after a strong move from the Blue and Gold's. Morris slotted his effort through the sticks from the touchline to extend the score to nine points. [19-10]

Cardiff had a rare opportunity to pick up points with just under ten minutes to go in the first half after Bath were penalised in their own 22 and Dunford added three points to close in on the hosts. [19-13]

But it was Bath who continued to compile pressure down the other end of the pitch with Cardiff giving up penalties on their own five metre line. The Blue and Gold's capitalised on the poor discipline of the visitors and Hartog added another score to confirm his hat-trick, after four consecutive scrum penalties. [24-13]

University of Bath went into the half-time interval with a commanding lead over Cardiff University, securing the bonus-point after just 40 minutes of play at the Rec.

Half-time - University of Bath 24-13 Cardiff University

With the second-half underway, it was Cardiff that continued to display poor discipline, Jack Holford was shown a yellow for being offside. It didn't take long for Bath to compile the pressure with excellent forward phases which led to a penalty try being awarded after another scrum infringement. [33-13]

Cardiff replied with fourteen men, Thomas added a brace after beating Bath around the outside and running the length of the pitch to cross in the corner. [33-18]

Shortly after the introduction of Bath Academy players Arthur Cordwell and Simone Elrick, the hosts added another score. Elrick making an instant impact and crashed over after a well produced driving maul. Morris added to his tally from the tee.[38-18]

In the later stages of the match, Alex Nisbet was given a gift after pouncing on loose ball from an overthrown lineout and Luca Mignot rounded off the tie for the hosts as he went under the posts after some good interplay from Rimmer and Nisbet. Morris again added the extras. [45-18]

Cardiff had the last hurrah with a consolation score but the Blue and Gold's came away with a very convincing 52-25 victory to pick up their first win of the season. [52-25]

Full-time - University of Bath 52-25 Cardiff University

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