Fallen English giants Bath are facing relegation from the Zurich
Premiership.
Only victory in their final game at home to Newcastle next Saturday - or a
possible west country merger with today's Ashton Gate conquerors - can rescue
them from oblivion.
The six-time English champions and 1998 Heineken Cup winners were undone by
two second-half tries from Shoguns' Argentinian fly-half Felipe Contepomi.
Contepomi's second touchdown - an 85-metre interception score - was like a
stake through the heart of a once-proud club.
But the harsh reality is that they are three points adrift at the Premiership
basement, having won fewer league games than any other team this season.
Bristol could still go down themselves, but today's victory has made that an
unlikely prospect.
Bath led 10-6 after 30 minutes; yet the Shoguns dominated most of the game
after that, charging to victory courtesy of Contepomi's double and centre Daryl
Gibson's first-half try.
Full-back Shane Drahm kicked a long-range drop-goal, two penalties and three
conversions - while Bath produced a 19th-minute Gavin Thomas try, plus 10 points
from fly-half Olly Barkley's boot and an injury-time Kevin Maggs touchdown.
There was as much interest in events off the field as those on it, with a
contingent of Bath supporters parading black flags and Bristol fans distributing
"no to merger" leaflets at various points outside Ashton Gate.
But an air of anticipation still surrounded the game, with two revered English
rugby giants battling for Premiership survival.
Bristol suffered a late injury blow when their captain Garath Archer withdrew
from the starting line-up because of back problems. Scott Morgan was drafted in
as his second-row replacement, and New Zealander Gibson took over captaincy
duties.
Hamstring injuries sidelined Bath's England internationals Mike Catt and Matt
Perry, meaning that Iain Balshaw switched from wing to full-back and Barkley
continued in the fly-half role.
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes because of crowd congestion - hardly the
advert Bristol owner Malcolm Pearce wanted, given that this ground has been
flagged up as a possible big-match venue for any new merged west country team
next term.
But a Premiership record attendance of 20,793 - around 1,000 more than the
previous best for Saracens against Newcastle in 1997/98 - justified Pearce's
decision to switch the match from Shoguns' usual Memorial Stadium home.
Bath made all the early running, putting together several threatening phases
and utilising the wide attacking threat of Balshaw and Tom Voyce. But Bristol
defended aggressively before taking an 11th-minute lead through Drahm's opening
penalty.
Bath continued battering away, despite falling behind, and their committed
response produced a superb move which finally breached Shoguns' defence.
The visitors had players out wide in numbers when it really mattered - prop
David Barnes and hooker Jonathan Humphreys linking impressively - before
Humphreys expertly drew Bristol's last defender and fed Thomas with a scoring
pass.
Barkley converted, before Drahm booted another penalty. But Bath were more
confident with ball in hand - and they almost broke through again when wing
Elvis Seveali'i danced through Bristol's defence, only for Contepomi to
blatantly obstruct him.
A 50-metre Barkley penalty put Bath four points clear, yet Bristol dug deep
and went ahead for the first time on 35 minutes.
Their forwards, well-marshalled by prop Andrew Sheridan and lock Alex Brown,
powered to within sight of Bath's line- giving the Shoguns irresistable
momentum.
Scrum-half Agustin Pichot then rifled the ball away superbly - and although
Bath just managed to haul down Drahm, Gibson picked up and crashed over for a
try converted by Drahm.
A reckless late tackle by Balshaw on Drahm allowed Bristol another scoring
chance before the break. But Drahm missed a relatively straightforward penalty,
and Barkley made it 13-13 at half-time when Shoguns flanker Michael Lipman
infringed.
Bristol began the second period on top territorially. But poor line-out
discipline cost them a promising attacking position, and Bath cleared any
danger.
The visitors concentrated much of their attacking endeavour on Bristol's left
wing, where Shoguns' England international Phil Christophers appeared
uncomfortable under pressure.
Bristol held out, though, and countered through their principal attacking
threat - Pichot - who was the one Shoguns player Bath struggled to contain.
Bristol almost scored as the game entered its final quarter, Christophers'
kick into Bath's 22 just eluding Gibson. But the Shoguns did not have to wait
long to claim their second try.
Pichot's presence gave them the confidence to run at Bath, and slick handling
created a three-man overlap from which the visitors had no escape.
Contepomi did not need his unmarked colleagues, cutting back inside and
touching down between the posts for a score converted by Drahm.
Then Contepomi administered the final blow for Bath, who could gain little
consolation from Maggs' injury-time try and Barkley's conversion, especially
because Drahm had the final say through a 50-metre drop-goal.
Bath are tonight hovering on the abyss - but no one in Bristol has any
sympathy for their perilous plight.
Teams
Bristol: Drahm, Rees, Gibson, Higgins, Christophers, Contepomi,
Pichot, Sheridan, Johnstone, E. Bergamaschi, S. Morgan,
A. Brown, Short, Lipman, Oakley.
Replacements: Skuse, Nelson, C. Morgan, Styles, Carrington, Hodgson.
Tries: G. Thomas, Maggs.
Cons: Barkley 2.
Pens: Barkley 2.
Bath: Balshaw, Voyce, Maggs, Tindall, Seveali'i, Barkley,
Cooper, Barnes, Humphreys, Mallett, Borthwick, Grewcock,
G. Thomas, Beattie, N. Thomas.
Replacements: Blake, Long, Stevens, Malone, Danielli, Scaysbrook,
Lyle.
Att: 20,793
Ref: Ashley Rowden (RFU).
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