Bath Triumphs Over Bristol in Thrilling Premiership Semi-Final Clash

Bath Rugby showcased their resilience and depth as they overcame Bristol Bears in a pulsating Gallagher Premiership semi-final, winning 34-20 at the Recreation Ground.

Match Overview

Bath, who finished the regular season 11 points clear at the top of the table, faced a determined Bristol side that had won five of their last six Premiership encounters. Despite trailing 13-6 at halftime, Bath turned the game around with a dominant second-half performance.

Key Moments

First Half: Bristol took an early lead with a try from James Dun and two penalties from AJ MacGinty. Bath responded with two penalties from Finn Russell.
Second Half: Bath came out firing, with tries from Ted Hill, Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir, and Max Ojomoh. Russell converted all four tries, while Bristol managed a late consolation try from Benhard Janse van Rensburg.

Post-Match Reactions

Johann van Graan, Bath's Head of Rugby: "I am incredibly proud of the group. We knew it would be an 80-minute performance, and we adapted well at halftime. The hunger to get to Twickenham was evident from our side."

Pat Lam, Bristol's Director of Rugby: "We started the season with low expectations but fought hard to get here. Bath showed their class in the second half, but we’ll be back next year to go one step further."

Looking Ahead

Bath will now face either Leicester Tigers or Sale Sharks in the Premiership final at Twickenham, aiming to secure their first league title since 1996. The victory keeps Bath on track for a potential treble, having already won the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup.

Team Line-Ups

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Ojomoh, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Stuart, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Pepper, Barbeary.

Bristol: Heward; Ravouvou, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Dun, Batley, Luatua, Harding (c), Mata.