Playing Bristol away hasn't been an easy task in recent years, especially at Ashton Gate, and despite all the pre-match banter between rival fans there can't have been many supporters from either side who felt sure of victory. This is one of those games where I actually feel quite sick before and during the event (and afterwards if we lose) which tells me how much winning the game matters. I'm sure I'm not alone.

Bath started the game with a clever kick-off, trying to catch Bristol unawares, as Barkley aimed for Banahan on the wing but unfortunately the big man was pushed in to touch before the ploy could pay dividends. In such big matches it is crucial to try something different at every opportunity and clearly the coaches had been considering how best to put Bristol on the back foot. 

Bath spent the first five minutes attacking the Bristol twenty-two with total control until a loose ball close to the goal line saw Blowers grab possession and the home side cleared to give themselves a breather. However from the next Bristol lineout Bath took possession as Linklater overthrew and Bristol conceded a penalty with a head high tackle on Matt Stevens. Unfortunately Barkley missed.

Frustratingly these early errors by both sides would continue throughout the rest of the game at crucial times.

Bath immediately attacked from the restart when Maddock raced some 40 metres in to the Bristol twenty-two and gained another penalty as the home side was caught offside. This time Barkley was on target to give the visitors a 0-3 lead. Bristol immediately struck back with an Ed Barnes penalty of their own. Bristol then collapsed a scrum in front of their own posts to enable Barkley to regain the lead.

After 20 minutes the game was all Bath possession and territory but another Bristol penalty meant the score was 6-6 despite the visitors dominating all aspects of play. Bath continued to play in a style which attracts some criticism by trying to run too much out of their own territory when a kick would be more appropriate. Had they got this game management issue sorted early on it is likely we wouldn't have been forced to bite our nails for so long throughout this match.

The Bath scrum was disrupted almost from the beginning when David Barnes took a knock at the first lineout. Being the battler he is Barnes continued for another 20 minutes before being replaced by Duncan Bell. This substitution saw the movement of Matt Stevens to the other side of the scrum where he was given a tough time by wily old warhorse, Darren Crompton. Stevens will have been pleased to get back to familiar territory towards the end of the game when Barnes was able to return to the fray in place of a completely knackered Duncan Bell who had given everything to the Bath casue.

After 32 minutes Daniel Browne thought he had scored Bath's first try. Olly Barkley chipped forward and the ball was picked up by Banahan who beat several defenders before feeding Browne who was stopped inches from the Bristol posts. From the ensuing scrum Browne fed Beattie but Banahan couldn't collect the pass when a score looked likely because a defender tapped the ball forward to set up a further Bath scrum. This time Michael Stephenson thought he had scored but referee Rose gave a controversial forward pass decision against Alex Crockett to frustrate visiting players and fans alike.

Despite controlling much of the first half and coming close to scoring two tries Bath were disappointed to find themselves 9-6 down at half-time following an excellent final minute touchline penalty kick by Ed Barnes.

Bristol started the second half on the offensive, with the late first half score clearly having buoyed them, and David Lemi skinned Michael Stephenson after scooping up a Barkley chip in to midfield. However a few minutes later Bristol conceded a penalty under their own posts to allow Barkley to draw the scores level at 9-9.

Errors by both side continued to dominate play with turnovers galore. After 55 minutes Alex Crockett was deemed to have impeded David Limi as he started another Bristol attack and was sent to the sin bin. Amazingly, from the penalty Bristol opted for a catch and drive lineout rather than asking Ed Barnes to go for goal and this may have been a major mistake. Barnes was on form with his boot and 12-9 would have provided the home side with a great platform on which to build the advantage they were grinding out in the second half.

Bath's defence was at full stretch at the ensuing lineout, with Crockett off and Beattie injured but they withheld the Bristol onslaught to keep the score at 9-9. Beattie then limped off and was replaced by Chris Goodman.

A few moments later Bristol thought they had scored the game's first try when Lee Mears overthrew his defensive lineout and Joe El Abd ran over the Bath goal line but referee Rose deemed the Bristol flanker to be offside. A lucky escape for Bath!

Andy Higgins replaced Matt Banahan after an hour. A minute later Bath retook the lead 9-12 through a Barkley penalty after soaking up loads of Bristol pressure and the visitors had to play well to keep out Bristol in the remaining quarter.

Finally, with three minutes left on the clock, Bath got a try through Higgins in the corner with a simple overlap to break Bristol hearts. Barkley scored a marvellous touchline conversion to take the score to 9- 19.

Mike Baxter replaced Claassens after 79 minutes and his main contribution was to kick the ball in to touch to end the game. Great result!

Congratulations to Danny Grewcock on becoming a father for the first time: probably the greatest feeling one can ever experience!

Referee: David Rose

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