Bath Rugby earn derby day spoils over Bristol again

Bath Rugby were victorious over near-neighbours Bristol for the second time this season, courtesy of a 16-9 win.

Just like the first contest between these two old foes, in the Challenge Cup that ended 22-6, it was a tight and tense battle.

Tom Homer kicked over the first three points - in the 19th minute - to give Bath the first score of the league encounter, but two minutes later it was 3-3 due to Billy Searle's penalty for Bristol.

Importantly though, try number one went the way of Bath via Jack Wilson's score in the 27th minute that Homer converted for 10-3 in George Ford's absence (who is away on England duty).

Searle was on-hand to get Bristol back into contention at 10-6 seven minutes later however those three points were nullified by Homer's penalty one minute before half-time.

Somehow there was still time in the first half for one more penalty - Searle again - and the two went into the break at 13-9.

The second half was a low-scoring one though - which suited Bath down to the ground. A singular Homer penalty was enough to give Bath a 16-9 lead, which remained the final score.