Bath Rugby overcome Bristol Bears with 26-19 win to move sixth

Bath Rugby 26-19 Bristol Rugby, AJ Bell Stadium
Scorecard

Bath Rugby came up with a clinical performance as they reclaimed the sixth spot in the ongoing Gallagher Premiership with a 26-19 win over Bristol Bears at AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday.

Bristol are at ninth place with 37 points - which is eight more than bottom-placed Newcastle Falcons as they look to avoid relegation with the 19th round approaching.

Jonathan Joseph kick-started the proceedings with a second-minute try and Rhys Priestland converted it to make the scoreline 7-0. Bristol responded back with an eighth-minute penalty kick from Callum Sheedy but further tries from Jamie Roberts (10') and Joe Cokanasiga (22') meant the home side had control of the game early with a 19-3 lead.

Sheedy narrowed down the gap between the two teams to seven points with three penalty kicks as the teams finished the first half with a 19-12 scoreline.

Todd Blackadder's men went on to claim the bonus point in the 56th minute with a converted try from Priestland before Bears finally found a breakthrough with nine minutes to go as Dan Thomas dived over the line but that could not prevent Bristol from succumbing to their 12th defeat this season.