Rhys Priestland kicks Bath to thrilling 22-25 win over Pau

Pau 22 - 25 Bath Rugby, Stade du Hameau
Scorecard

Wales international Rhys Priestland contributed with 20 points as Bath held their nerve in a tight 22-25 victory over Pau in their European Championship game at Stade du Hameau on Saturday.

After a first minute penalty from fly-half Priestland, fullback Romain Buros scored the opening try in the eighth minute and fly-half Brandon Fajardo added the conversion for Pau.

However, Semesa Rokoduguni replied back with a 21st minute try and Priestland added a penalty at either side to a 7-16 lead for Bath. Just at the stoke of half time flanker Sean Dougall strolled across the post and the gap was reduced to two points.

Priestland's 56th minute try stretched Bath lead to five points but it was soon negated by his counterpart Fajardo two minutes later. It was relentless from Bath fly-half as he scored another three-pointer and later capitalised on the infringement from Ben Mowen, who was sin binned to take the visitors to 25 points.

Bath were also down to 14-men when they lost wing Aled Brew, who was yellow carded in the 71st minute following which centre Watisoni Votu crossed over to reduce the gap down to three points.