Rugby
Dan Pellegrini 7y

Bath vs. Bristol: 5 classic clashes

Rugby, ECC

Bath and Bristol are set to reignite their rivalry on Thursday when they meet in the European Challenge Cup at the Recreation Ground. It's been seven years since the west country rivals last faced each other, so we're running down five of the best clashes between the two.

Bath 45-8 Bristol

March, 2009

Bath added to their rivals Bristol's woes after thumping them the last time they met back in 2009 as Bristol tumbled out of rugby's top flight. Bath's Butch James stole the show when he hit six out of six conversions and a penalty.

Bath 51-12 Bristol

March, 2007

Bristol and Bath faced each other in the European Challenge Cup for the first and only time before Thursday's encounter. Bath made a remarkable comeback trailing Bristol 12-10 going in to the break. Bristol had a night to forget as Bath ran out 51-12 winners as they suffered a total second half collapse. Bristol paid the price for a host of penalty misses Nick Abendanon scored a hat-trick of tries for Bath to complete their European rout of their rivals.

Bristol 16-6 Bath

 

December, 2006

Bristol's last win over Bath comes nearly a decade ago. Of course Bristol will point to being relegated and not playing their rivals in seven years as the reason to the long wait for the chance to claim bragging rights. Bath failed to score a single try in the match as Gareth Llewellyn and Lee Robinson hit tries for Bristol. 

Bristol 12-14 Bath

February, 1989

Bath were desperate to have the Pilkington Cup quarterfinal called off with the pitch seemingly water logged and dangerous. Bristol however would not cave in to their rivals' demands and felt that the conditions would play in to their hands as Bath didn't want to play. Oh how they were wrong as Bath yet again heaped more misery on Bristol snatching victory late on with a try from Richard Hill.

Bath 10-9 Bristol

 

April, 1984

Bath broke Bristol hearts in the John Player Cup final in a period when the rivalry was at its most fierce, violent and physical. Bath won cup but Bristol will feel they were their own undoing after Stuart Barnes missed a last minute penalty gifting the trophy to their rivals.

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