Report: Bristol United 24-47 Bath United

The hosts trailed by twenty points in the first period and, despite securing a try-scoring bonus point thanks to a Jack Wallace double and efforts from Alex Gibson and Callum Bowden, couldn’t contain a powerful attacking display from the visitors.

Bath went in front inside ten minutes when Darren Atkins latched onto Aled Brew’s fine offload to race in from 35 metres.

Josh Lewis added two penalty goals in quick succession to extend the visitors’ advantage to 0-13.

The fly half missed the target with a further attempt as Bath dominated the first period, before Tom Hargan went close for Bristol United with a half-break inside the opposition 22.

Bath continued to enjoy the ascendancy and pushed further ahead when Nathan Charles rumbled over from close-range on the half hour, while Lewis converted.

On the stroke of half-time – and following a spell of attacking pressure - Bristol United reduced the deficit courtesy of Jack Wallace’s touch down, moving the score to 7-20.

Bath notched their third score after the interval through a penalty try, before Callum Sheedy’s immediate reply – running in unchallenged from 50m following an innovative quickly taken restart - was ruled out by referee Adam Leal.

Josh Lewis kept the scoreboard ticking over with another penalty goal but Jack Wallace’s neat finish on the hour mark ensured Bristol United kept their noses in the game at 12-30.

A smart Levi Davis intercept saw Bath post their fourth try of the afternoon late in the game, while replacement prop Paddy Ryan went over before the final whistle.

Replacement prop Alex Gibson and Callum Bowden crossed for late consolation tries for Bristol to move the score to 24-44, but a last-gasp Josh Lewis penalty put the icing on the cake of a convincing Bath win in Weston-Super-Mare.

Bristol United crossed for two quickfire tries at the death - courtesy of Hartpury BUCS pair Alex Gibson and Callum Bowden - to secure a try-scoring bonus point which could prove valuable in the Southern section.

Sheedy continued his fine form for Bristol United, providing the attacking spark against a solid and well-organised Bath United defence.

The fly half - who captained the side - was a central figure in the hosts' attacking play, and almost added his name to the scoresheet with an audacious fifty metre effort, ruled out by referee Adam Leal.

Bristol United: 15. James Newey; 14. Jack Wallace, 13. Thretton Palamo, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Tom Hargan; 10. Callum Sheedy (c), 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jack Cosgrove, 2. Ben Gompels (Bristol University), 3. Nick English, 4. Giorgi Nemsadze, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. James Dun, 7. Callum Bowden (Hartpury BUCS), 8. Max Cresswell (Bristol University).

Replacements: 16. George Kloska (SGS College), 17. Tom Rowland, 18. Alex Gibson (Hartpury BUCS), 19. Alex Clementson (Hartpury BUCS), 20. Reiss Cullen, 21. Nathan Chamberlain (SGS College), 22. Maliq Holden (Hartpury BUCS).

Bath United: 15. Darren Atkins; 14. Levi Davis, 13. Robbie de Bruyn, 12. Jack Wilson, 11. Aled Brew; 10. Josh Lewis, 9. Will Flinn; 1. Will Vaughan, 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Sam Nixon, 4. Jack Davies, 5. Levi Douglas, 6. Chris Barry, 7. Josh Bayliss, 8. Zach Mercer (c).

Replacements: 16. George Frampton, 17. Arthur Cordwell, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Deryn Jones, 20. Craig Duncan, 21. Luca Petrozzi, 22. Wil Partington.