Bristol lead. 31-2978 minsJohn EvelyTRY - Bristol BearsIt doesn't matter how far out they are. The Bears pack, plus most of the backs power over for Will Capon to touch down. 29-2977 minsJohn EvelyKick to the cornerBath concede a penalty after Bristol regather the ball from the kick off. AJ MacGinty kicks to about 10m out. His pack would love to be closer. 24-2975 minsJohn EvelyPENALTY GOAL - BathBristol are suddenly attacking from everywhere through Piers O'Conor, Charles Piutau and Rich Lane, but the latter is penalised for rolling with the ball with Richard de Carpentier jackling over him. The Bears are marched back 10m for back chat as well.
Charles Piutau breaks past Bath's Matt Gallagher (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)21:32John EvelyMore to come - check back in later Bristol Bears player ratings Bath Rugby player ratings Injury updates Reaction from DoRs Highlights 21:23KEY EVENTMATCH REPORT - Ellis Genge stars in fairy tale homecoming as Bristol Bears beat Bath RugbyEllis Genge cemented his place in Bristol Bears folklore on his homecoming with two tries as the Bears began from behind to claim a 31-29 victory over derby rivals Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate. Bath looked to be heading towards what would have been a famous victory but a late try from Will Capon which was converted by an ice-cool AJ MacGinty with less than a minute to play; but there was still time for more drama as Bath fly-half Piers Francis pushed a long-range drop goal narrowly to the left of the uprights with the final play of the game.
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Bath competitive and hard to beat. Plenty for new head of rugby Johann van Graan to hang his hat on. 19:31KEY EVENTFULL TIME Bristol Bears 31 Bath Rugby 29 80+1 minsJohn EvelyDROP GOAL MISSED - BathThe scrum is stable and not going anywhere so Bath have to go out the back. With nothing on Piers Francis goes for a 37m drop goal. The strike is clean but the kick just goes narrowly wide. And by that margin games are won and lost. 31-2980 minsJohn EvelyOne last change for BathBristol have knocked on the ball from the kick off and I think it was Charles Piutau of all people. Bath have a scrum 25m out and right in the middle of the field. 31-2979 minsJohn EvelyCONVERSION - Bristol BearsAJ MacGinty dissects the posts from 10m in from the right touchline. Nerves of steel.
"At the end of the day no one is going to remember all the niggle and other stuff about what happened in this game. I told them at half time to forget the niggle and go out and get the five points and this will go in the history books. "We haven't lost to these guys here at Ashton Gate and this is another one for the record books. Pat Lam, Bristol Bears Director of Rugby celebrates after a derby win over Bath (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)20:30John EvelyReaction from Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan "I am gutted. "We came here to win an if that last drop goal goes a few metres to the right it is a totally different story. Bristol are one of the top teams in the Premiership but we are never going to be happy with anything but a win.
Sometimes you get a feeling like you can't be stopped and that is what it felt like tonight. We got there by the skin of our teeth, we have a lot to work on if we want to win a championship. 19:33John EvelyStay tunedFull reaction to come. 19:32John EvelyGame reflectionsAn epic for the ages. Emotion, heroes, drama, everything you want from a derby. Bristol slightly lucky but full of character to stay in the fight and come back. Ellis Genge like something from Greek mythology.
Match Centre: Bristol Bears 31-29 Bath Rugby Ellis Genge scored a double as Bristol Bears overcame a stubborn 14-men Bath Rugby with a 31-29 win in the Gallagher Premiership opener
No live team coverage of Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby Bath Rugby's Round 1 Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol Bears will no longer be shown on BT
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I am gutted. "We said you will see improvement and you certainly saw that from the team today, they stuck to the plan. "We conceded early but mentally we got three points straight back and responded. "Every game in the Premiership is close and you have got to turn up every weekend. That is one game gone, we have 23 to go and I would say we have a plan which we are going to follow and we go bak to zero and start again. "I am incredibly proud of the effort of all the players, to come away, 24 hours later than planned and then lose to a missed drop kick with the last play of the game, you can't really ask for more. "Johann van Graan, Bath hea of rugby (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)20:23John EvelyMatch actionMagnus Bradbury celebrates after scoring Bristol Bears' second try against Bath (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)Bristol Bears' Luke Morahan squares up to Bath's Cameron Redpath (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)Charles Piutau breaks past Bath's Matt Gallagher (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)19:35John EvelyEllis Genge post matchThanks for everyone for making me feel so welcome.
Bristol Bears Rugby Home | Bristol Bears Bristol Bears regret to confirm that Saturday's Allianz Cup fixture at Ashton Gate versus Wasps Women has Team news: Bath Rugby vs Bristol Bears - PC