Bristol Shoguns ended one of the longest losing sequences in top-class rugby
with their first victory at Bath since 1981.
More importantly, however, it was a precious four points to aid their climb
away from the relegation spot in the Zurich Premiership.
Bristol have suffered so much humiliation at Bath ever since rugby became
professional that they were planning celebrations long into the night and their
supporters were drowning out the home fans well before the final whistle.
Bath will point to the fact that they were without almost a full international
back line, missing not only centres Mike Tindall and Kevin Maggs but also Mike
Catt and Matt Perry, but they could have few complaints otherwise.
They leaked a try within seven minutes as Andrew Higgins brushed aside an
ineffectual tackle from Rob Thirlby on a 45-metre dash to the line.
Shane Drahm converted and hardly put a foot wrong for the rest of the game.
Much of the contest became a duel of the Australian fly-halves as Chris Malone
landed a penalty from 45 metres for Bath on 22 minutes and Drahm replied from
short range on the half-hour.
Bristol held a decided edge up front although Bath were able to bolster their
ranks on 21 minutes when captain Danny Grewcock came on as replacement for Dan
Lyle despite having played a quarter for England against South Africa 24 hours
before.
Bristol stared in disbelief at referee John Pearson on 37 minutes when he blew
up at a scrum, awarding the visitors a penalty when number eight Rhys Oakley was
already sprinting for the line.
To add insult to injury, Drahm's kick was wide and Malone pulled back three
points in injury time to reward Bath for a rare spell of pressure.
Bristol hit back immediately, however, with the last move of the half, Brendon
Daniel coming off his wing to provide the scoring pass for full-back Lee Best.
Drahm converted from touch to give Bath a healthy 17-6 interval lead.
Bath enjoyed their best spell early in the second half when Malone kicked a
penalty and also converted a penalty try on 53 minutes. There was some confusion
because Alex Crockett had already grounded the ball but referee Pearson sent
Bristol skipper Garath Archer to the bin, seemingly for foul play, before
awarding the penalty try under the posts.
Drahm exchanged penalties with Malone and it seemed Bath might survive yet
again as Malone lined up a kick from 50 metres. The kick went wide, however, and
Bristol went up the other end to fashion a try for hooker Paul Johnstone, who
burst out of a rolling maul to spring 20 metres to the line on 74 minutes.
Drahm still had time to add another penalty to his conversion and Bristol were
able to finally put an end to the hoodoo.
Teams:
Bath: Thirlby, Danielli, Crockett, Davy,
Voyce, Malone,
A. Williams, Barnes, Humphries, Mallett, Borthwick, Lyle,
Scaysbrook, Beattie, N. Thomas.
Not Used: Blake, Mears, Galasso, Mbu, Barkley, Grewcock, Lloyd.
Tries: Penalty.
Cons: Malone.
Pens: Malone 4.
Bristol: Best, Rees, Higgins, Daniel, Drahm, Richards,
E. Bergamaschi, Johnstone, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Salter,
Short, Oakley, Gibson.
Not Used: Skuse, S. Morgan, Sturnham, Contepomi, Carrington,
Pichot, Nelson.
Tries: Higgins, Best, Johnstone.
Cons: Drahm 3.
Pens: Drahm 3.
Sin Bin: Archer (55).
Att: 8,200
Ref: D Pearson (RFU).
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