Tries from Colin Charvis and Matthew Robinson spurred battling Swansea to their first Heineken Cup victory of the campaign.

In-form Bristol were in the driving seat at 16-9 with 15 minutes left to play but they were overhauled by a strong home finish.

Charvis powered over from 40 metres to finish off a move triggered by Richard Rees and impressive youngster James Bater.

Then, Rees set up the second try as he brushed aside Agustin Pichot for Arwel Thomas and Mark Taylor to put Robinson over.

Bristol had only themselves to blame after having two players sin-binned during the keenly fought encounter.

Darren Crompton and Ross Beattie fell foul of Italian official Guilio De Santis to leave the west country-men disadvantaged against the fired-up Welshmen.

For the visitors Felipe Contepomi contributed 19 points, made up of a converted try and four penalties.

Honours were even at the half-way point after a unspectacular opening 40 minutes Swansea took an early lead through a drop goal and a penalty from fly-half Gavin Henson, but Contepomi was not long in replying.

He knocked over two penalties before Bristol had prop Crompton yellow carded for illegally bringing down Rees at a tap penalty.

Henson slotted another penalty but Bristol replied before the break through man of the match Contepomi.

The Argentinian claimed his side's only try when he dived over from close range after a rolling maul, but Swansea finished strongly.

Teams

Swansea: Payne, Rees, Taylor, Gibbs, Robinson, Henson, Cordingley, Morris, Balshen, Evans, Farley, Slade, D. Thomas, Charvis, Bater.

Replacements: R. Jones, A. Thomas, Winn, Colclough, Dorsey, J. Thomas, Francis.

Tries: Robinson, Charvis.

Cons: A. Thomas 2.

Pens: Henson 2, A. Thomas.

Drop Goals: Henson.

Bristol: Drahm, Rees, Higgins, Gibson, Daniel, Contepomi, Pichot, E. Bergamaschi, Johnstone, Crompton, S. Morgan, A. Brown, Salter, Short, Oakley.

Replacements: Sheridan, Beattie, Best, Sturnham, Nelson, Christophers, Carrington.

Tries: Contepomi.

Cons: Contepomi.

Pens: Contepomi 4.

Att: 3,500

Ref: G de Santis (Italy).