Olly Barkley displayed nerves of steel to clinch a crucial Zurich Premiership
victory for Bath to preserve their long unbeaten home league record against
feared West Country rivals Bristol.
The 20-year-old, capped by England in North America last summer, booted five
penalties, two from long range during the final quarter after Bristol had wiped
out a 9-0 deficit.
Bristol, who saw lock Garath Archer sin-binned in his comeback appearance
following a three-week suspension, still have not won at Bath since English
leagues began 14 years ago.
Archer's fellow England internationals - Bath lock Danny Grewcock and Bristol
prop Julian White - were also yellow-carded after a late punch-up as the
visitors' frustration boiled over.
Bath, having already suffered seven Premiership defeats this season, clung on
for the win and had unflappable centre Barkley to thank.
Bath have now gone more than four hours of league and cup rugby without
scoring a try, but that will not concern coaches Jon Callard and Michael Foley
on a day when victory was absolutely essential.
The home side were without injured England men, full-back Matt Perry and
hooker Mark Regan, while Barkley was preferred in midfield to Ireland's Kevin
Maggs.
Despite those changes, Bath settled quickly and Barkley kicked them into a
nine-point lead through three penalty strikes during the opening 20 minutes.
Bristol, whose last win at the Recreation Ground came in October 1981, reduced
their arrears with a penalty from Argentinian fly-half Felipe Contepomi, but
then Archer was cautioned for a technical offence, temporarily reducing the
visitors to 14 men.
Bristol flanker Adam Vander saw a try disallowed just before the break, but
that did not deter Bristol who drew level during the third quarter courtesy of
two more Contepomi penalties.
Tempers simmered between both centre-forwards throughout the game and Bristol
hearts skipped a beat on 57 minutes when Archer and Bath prop David Barnes were
involved in a skirmish.
But referee Dave Pearson did not brandish any cards, issuing a general warning
to rival captains Mike Catt and Jason Little instead.
A high tackle by Contepomi on impressive Bath centre Mike Tindall enabled
Barkley to step up and rifle over a 63rd-minute penalty from 40 metres.
Just seven minutes later, he slotted a critical fifth penalty, this time from
just inside Bristol's half.
The visitors desperately tried to retrieve the game, yet Bath dug deep and
should now climb a couple of Premiership positions as the reward for a gutsy
effort.
Bristol though, still cannot string a sequence of wins together and unless
they can discover a successful formula Heineken Cup qualification, certainly
from the Premiership route, is likely to avoid them.
Teams:
Bath: Balshaw, Thirlby, Barkley, Tindall, Voyce, Catt,
Williams, D. Barnes, Long, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock,
G. Thomas, Gabey, N. Thomas.
Replacements: Emms for Mallett (75).
Not Used: Chrystie, Mears, Maggs, Danielli, Scaysbrook, Hudson.
Sin Bin: Grewcock (80).
Pens: Barkley 5.
Bristol: Carrington, Rees, Higgins, Little, Christophers,
Contepomi, Pichot, Johnstone, McCarthy, White, Archer,
A. Brown, Short, Bander, Sturnham.
Replacements: Drahm for Rees (80), Nabaro for Higgins (76),
Crompton for Short (80).
Not Used: Nelson, Brownrigg, C. Morgan, Blake.
Sin Bin: Archer (33), White (80).
Pens: Contepomi 3.
Att: 8,200
Ref: Dave Pearson (RFU).
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