European Challenge Cup Pool Four

Bristol 22 Bath 57

BRISTOL crashed to a record European defeat to rivals Bath as they were hit with an eight-try avalanche at Ashton Gate in their Challenge Cup pool four clash.

It was a shame as Bristol's confidence has been boosted in recent months with a few wins and a near miss in the last Premiership game at Northampton.

But Bath were ruthless in their execution and thoroughly deserved the victory that takes them top of their group.

Bath's intent to win was apparent as early as 22 seconds after kick-off when England wing Anthony Watson drove to the corner in pursuit of a grubber kick on the left but, despite seeming to touch down legally, the video ref called no try.

Over the next 39 minutes 38 seconds of the half, apart from one or two moments, Bristol were ripped to pieces.

Bath had everything to play for in the competition while Bristol had nothing - and it showed. So it was thankful that Bristol saved their worst display since Mark Tainton took over as acting head coach from ex-boss Andy Robinson for this game.

Bristol have bigger fish to fry in their fight for safety in the Aviva Premiership, and, at times, they were simply waving Bath through to score.

Home fly-half Billy Searle put Bristol in front briefly with a thumping fourth minute penalty from 45 metres, but that lead lasted two minutes when they gave away a sloppy try from an attacking line-out as Bath hooker Tom Dunn collected a long ball and drove through two defenders from five metres.

England fly-half George Ford landed the conversion and, when he came off to be r3eplaced by Welsh international Rhys Priestland on 49 minutes, he would add 18 more points.

Full-back Tom Homer lengthened Bath's lead when he retrieved a long Ford pass over the head of wing Tom Varndell to saunter in.

And, by the time Varndell went over for Bristol's solitary try of the first-half, after a break from flanker and captain Olly Robinson, Bath were miles in front.

Ford kicked a penalty before centre Robbie Freuan and scrum-half Kahn Fotuali'i scored converted tries to give Bath a 31-10 cushion.

But Bristol's lack of defence was their undoing, which was unusual as their defence has been one of the best features under Tainton's guidance.

Bath split the home backs wide open again on the half-time whistle when Ford raced over from ten metres which, with his own conversion, put Bath 38-10 up at the interval.

Bath nearly began the second half in the same way they did in the first when wing Semesa Rokoduguni went diving into the corner only to put a foot in touch and miss out on the touchdown.

However, the next visiting try was not far away when Fotuali'i nipped over on the blindside for a second one for the scrum-half.

Bristol managed another try from scrum-half Rhodri Williams but two more tries, with Rokodugini finally getting his reward and a fifty-metre run down the right touchline by replacement Chris Cook took Bath beyond the 51-12 previous European best his side had against Bristol.

There was a consolation for replacement Jack Tovey right at the end of the match for Bristol but Bath were comprehensive winners as they made it three wins over their old rivals this season.