It took a trip across the border and an opponent with other things on their mind but Bristol stopped the rot with a bonus-point victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive. Their performance did not quite live up to all the pyrotechnics that adorned their Big Day Out at the Principality Stadium and as they tend to, they made things difficult for themselves but six tries and a win over a second-string Bath side was enough to satisfy their supporters.
Indeed, 51,095 fans – plenty from Bath too – showed up to watch a West Country derby that was keenly fought if lacking in quality. Bristol survived an early bout of stage fright, a Premiership record-equalling four yellow cards and withstood a second-half comeback to seal the win with late tries from Will Capon and Bill Mata.
