Ford in box seat to blow Bristol apart
GEORGE Ford was back to his sparkling best in a superb Bath display to make them favourites for the Challenge Cup.
Ford scored 20 points as Bath raced into a 45-10 lead before his departure was the signal for his side to relax against a totally-outgunned Bristol.
Ford said: “It was one of the best pitches to play on and we were clinical. We wanted to get a good start and the lads were really sharp in finishing.
“Our goal is to the win the pool and we want to be ruthless against Pau next week so our efforts tonight won’t go unrewarded.”
On this form, Bath will be anxious to retain Ford’s services but he said: “It’s still early doors for my future to be sorted but hopefully it will be done pretty quickly.”
Bath boss Todd Blackadder said: “The speculation has been a major distraction but I’m just enjoying coaching him. He showed what a class performer he is by playing a perfect game to reward all the possession from the forwards.”
Tom Dunn and Zach Mercer were the pick to provide an excellent platform for Kahn Fotuali’i and Ford to display their skills in bringing their hugely talented three-quarters into play. At times it was a mere training exercise for the visitors as Jonathan Joseph and Semesa Rokoduguni caused havoc in Bristol’s defence, who badly missed the tackling of Jason Woodward and Will Hurrell.
The absence of this combative pair was still no excuse for a miserable effort from the hosts, who put in their worst display since the dark days of September when they conceded 203 points in their first five Premiership games. They were comfortably second best in all areas, their set-piece malfunctioned throughout, losing more line-outs than they won, and their tackling was woeful.
Head coach Mark Tainton said: “Bath spooked us early on with their tempo and if you switch off you know you’ll be punished.”
Bristol captain Olly Robinson said: “We were outplayed by a very good side and Ford is a really great player in a world class back-line. If we turn up and play like that again, it will be a very long season.”
Bath should have opened the scoring after only 22 seconds but Anthony Watson knocked on as he dived over before Billy Searle’s penalty gave Bristol an early lead.
Dunn scored Bath’s first try after a home line-out throw went astray before a long pass from Ford created the second for Tom Homer.
Ford added a penalty before his solo run gave Robbie Fruean a try on his debut. Fotuali’i then brushed aside weak tacking for the bonus point before a fortuitous bounce aided Robinson and Varndell in combining well for the veteran wing to get on the score sheet.
Ford’s individual effort gave Bath a 38-10 interval lead before he departed after Fotual’i easily evaded Kyle Traynor for his side’s sixth.
A brilliant run from Tusi Pisi saw Rhodri Williams pick up a try but Rokoduguni powered past Varndell to bring up Bath’s fifty.
Chris Cook intercepted to run 50 metres for Bath’s final try with Jack Tovey scoring a late consolation to give Bristol more than they deserved.