Bathtub began their Champions Cup marketing campaign with an emphatic win over Munster final weekend, whereas three-time champions Toulon had been seeking to bounce again after a poor defeat in Edinburgh.
Johann van Graan introduced in 20-year-old Vilikesa Sela to switch injured England prop Will Stuart as Bathtub went toe to toe with Toulon’s imposing pack.
Finn Russell’s penalty kick gave Bathtub the lead however second row ahead Brian Alainu’uese muscled over from a line-out transfer to place the hosts forward.
Either side traded penalties earlier than Ted Hill burrowed between two defenders from a faucet penalty to briefly give Bathtub the lead.
After Mateo Garcia’s penalty levelled the scores at 13-13, Toulon regained the lead. Former Harlequins prop Kyle Sinckler powered in direction of the posts earlier than being hauled down, Toulon moved the ball broad and Juan Ignacio Brex strolled over.
Toulon thought they’d scored once more within the remaining motion of the primary half, however Bathtub held the ball as much as preserve the deficit to 5 factors.
Garcia kicked one other penalty because the hosts began to dominate up entrance within the second half however Bathtub confirmed their resilience to keep up a correspondence.
Scrum-half Tom Carr-Smith, making his first European begin instead of captain Ben Spencer, was concerned as Santiago Carreras dived over for the guests’ second attempt.
Russell’s conversion closed the hole to at least one level however again got here Toulon. Sinckler once more performed a outstanding position with a surging run and Toulon labored the ball to the speedy Drean, who eluded some determined tackles to revive the house aspect’s eight-point cushion.
Bathtub turned to their bench and substitute Arthur Inexperienced grounded the ball from shut vary.
However Ludlam buried over for Toulon’s bonus-point attempt from a five-metre scrum, and Garcia’s steely conversion from the touchline prolonged their result in eight factors as soon as once more.
Hennessey’s attempt confirmed Bathtub’s resilience however a driving Toulon maul proved to be unstoppable because the hosts scored their fifth attempt in stoppage time.
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