Bath pass their final audition but Bears go down with all guns blazing

BATH, the form team all season, duly booked a place in next Saturday’s final against Leicester but they needed to demonstrate all their customary second-half strength and fitness to see off a spirited Bristol side.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

After years of famine in terms of silverware, they are now just one match away from a season’s treble, but they won't be counting any chickens. Bath will know this absorbing and occasionally exhilarating contest was closer than the scoreline might suggest and the sight of Finn Russell hobbling off with five minutes remaining will be a worry, although it seems it was just cramp he was battling.

Pat Lam’s Bristol team were leading 13-7 and, frankly, it could and should have been more before Bath fully found their game and put Bristol away with a wither-ing spell of four tries in 18 minutes straight after half-time. There was no way back for Bristol after that even if they refused to capitulate entirely.

Bath have now out-scored their opponents 56 tries to 18 after the break in their Premiership games this season. Yes, their bench is mighty but this time most of the damage was done before they rang the changes.