By John Harding

Friendly

Bristol 31 Bath 34

TWENTY-FOUR unanswered second half points, including two tries in as many minutes shortly after the break, weren't quite enough for Bristol to take the pre-season match at Clifton RFC as Premiership neighbours Bath took the spoils 34-31.

Bristol's new head coach Pat Lam used forty players in the game, played over four quarters, and now he will reduce that number as they go into Saturday's game against Guinness Pro 12 champions Scarlets at Clifton, kick off 2.30pm.

The GKIPA Championship opener at Ashton Gate against newly promoted Hartpury - who lost 55-21 away to Premiership side Worcester Warriors - has always been Lam's aim from the four pre-season games.

"With new coaches, new structures and new players, I want to give all the boys in the squad, including some from the Academy, the chance to play," said Lam. "I know as a player that it is no point doing all the training if you don't get a chance.

"I'm not about setting out goals or dreams that are unobtainable but the things we are aiming for are certainly possible - but it requires a lot of work. I tell players and backroom staff to ask themselves - what did I do well and what can I do better?

"Focusing on what you do well reinforces that you are good; it gives you confidence that you are good at what you are doing. What can I do better is where you get your improvement."

Bath produced a strong opening forty minutes with tries from Jack Walker, Zach Mercer, Darren Allinson, Jack Wilson and Matt Banahan. Josh Lewis had opened the scoring with a penalty and then slotting three conversions.

Wing Tom Varndell showed that his 31-year-old legs still had some pace as he crossed for Bristol's only opening try on the half hour with fly-half Ian Madigan adding the extras from the touchline.

Changes of personnel on both sides could have disrupted the flow but in this case, it was the tide that turned as it was Bristol that kept the scoreboard in action including three tries in a nine-minute burst.

Trialist Aaron Chapman scored in the corner, full back Jordan Williams made a forty metre dash for the line with Callum Sheedy adding the conversions, and flanker Dan Thomas crossing the whitewash.

Replacement lock Ehize Ehizode spilt a scoring pass that would have put Bristol within touching distance but wing Luke Morahan scored under the posts on his debut and Billy Searle added the extras.