In an enthralling match that saw two of the top teams in the opening BUCS fixture of the season for the Premier South Division A. Bath started the better of the two teams with lots of possession and keeping Bristol pegged into their own half for long periods, however Bristol scored a penalty to make it 0-3 but within 3 minutes Bath had levelled with a penalty from the #15 Vinniecombe to make it 3-3 from that point in everything was going right for Bath and on 18 minutes Bath had forced their way through a fairly strong and resolute Bristol defensive line to touch down for the first try of the game by the # to make it 8-3, Bath however missed the kick which seemed to be the downfall of their game throughout with several kicks going narrowly wide and one hitting the post. Bristol made it 8-6 just before the 23rd minute then a Bristol penalty turned the score 8-9 in their favour. Bath saw #1 Palmer sin binned in the 25 minute and #7 Spanswick sin binned for a challenge before the ball reached the Bristol player on the 27th minute and from then on possession rarely left Bath hands. Some great play down the left wing saw Bath’s #8 Clarke score the 2nd of 6 tries on the 6th minute additional and Bath could not convert to close the half at 13-9.
The second half saw more dominate play from Bath and on 47 minutes Bath rucked over on the Bristol try line but couldn’t force a way past and play broke down. On the 50th minute Bristol scored a penalty to make it 13-12. A great interception in the Bristol half by Bath’s #11 Drury allowed him to charge his way forward sell his opposition player with a good dummy to score Bath’s 3rd try to make it and Vinniecombe stepped up and converted to make it 20-12 to Bath. The 63rd minute saw Bath’s 4th try scored by # to make it 25-12. In the 70th minute Bristol got their first try and converted to make it 25-19 but this wasn’t enough and 7 minutes later Bath’s # scored their 5th try to make it 30-19. Bristol offered little resistance once it went to 11 points clear and Bath’s number #12 Roberts made it 32-19 with a conversion from the middle of the posts. 1 minute into additional time and Bath scored their final try by # after some very impressive play then Roberts stepped up again to convert to complete the scoring at 39-19.
Overall Bath were the better team, used the ball well and got their rewards, they now sit second in the division going into their next game against Cardiff firsts. Bristol didn’t seem to match up to the strength and ability Bath have but it was a good test with some excellent Rugby played.