BEARS MAUL BATH TO GO THIRD

BRISTOL moved up to third in the Premiership after recording their first league win at Bath for 14 years.

Tries from Chris Vui, Alapati Leiua and substitute Harry Randall shaded a tense West Country derby 19-13.

Fly-half Callum Sheedy kicked two conversions and although Bath replacement Will Chudley touched down in the second period, it proved too little, too late.

Rhys Priestland slotted two penalties and a conversion, but it was Bristol’s day as they moved a point behind second-placed Sale Sharks. It was Bath’s first Premiership home defeat for a year.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “We want to play at the highest level – the Champions Cup – and are relentless in terms of that being our goal.”

London Irish chief Declan Kidney accepted their winning run deserved to end as Wasps beat them 36-26. He said: “Wasps were good value.”