Bath overcome ‘hardest game of rugby’ against Bristol Bears to reach final to keep ‘amazing’ treble dream alive

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Guy Pepper said "it would mean the world" for Bath to win the treble after they beat local rivals Bristol Bears in the first Gallagher Premiership play-off at the Recreation Ground. The hosts trailed at the break but turned the game around with four second-half tries to advance into next weekend's Twickenham final, where they will attempt to make history against either Leicester or Sale.

Highlights: Second-half blitz sees Bath seal Premiership Final place

Video credit: TNT Sports

Guy Pepper said Bath’s 34-20 victory over West Country rivals Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership play-off semi-final was "the hardest game of rugby" he has played in.

Bristol held a seven-point advantage at the break, but four second-half tries from Bath saw them turn the tie on its head and book a spot in the final at Allianz Stadium.

Hopes of a historic treble remain alive for Johann van Graan's Premiership table-toppers, having already clinched the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup.

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Player of the match Pepper said "it would mean the world to the club" to seal victory next weekend, particularly after last year’s defeat in the final against Northampton Saints.

Speaking to TNT Sports at full time, the flanker said: "It's massive for this group. After last year, we put a massive target on this competition this year. It means the world to go to Twickenham next week.

"It was probably the hardest game of rugby I've been involved in. In that second half, we came out and for that first 20 minutes, we showed what we are capable of.

Pepper delighted to have come through ‘hardest game of rugby I’ve been involved in’

Video credit: TNT Sports

"We weren't ourselves in that first half, but we knew if we matched them emotionally, we had the firepower.

"It's been an amazing year for me. That treble would be amazing and mean the world to this club."

Despite a pair of Finn Russell penalties, Bristol took a 13-6 lead at the break thanks to James Dun’s first-half try and two penalty conversions from AJ MacGinty.

But Bath looked a different side following the interval and scored 28 unanswered points to take a 34-13 lead 20 minutes into the second period.

Tries from Ted Hill, Joe Cokanisiga, Will Muir and Max Ojomoh, which were all converted by Russell, established the 21-point lead for the hosts.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg managed to cross for a late consolation for Pat Lam's men, but it was not enough to trouble Bath’s advantage.

Van Graan’s side will now face the winner of the other semi-final clash between Leicester Tigers and Sale Sharks, who meet at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday.

The West Country derby was set up after Bath finished top of the Premiership table, 11 points clear of Leicester in second and 14 points clear of Bristol in fourth.

Despite finishing well clear of their local rivals, Bath had been beaten by Bristol in the two previous Premiership meetings between the sides this season.

But having secured top spot in the division, Van Graan's men earned a home tie for the play-offs, and Pepper believes the "crazy" atmosphere at the Rec played a pivotal role in the victory.

The 22-year-old added: "I’ve never heard anything like it. Before kick-off, that was crazy. I was trying to hear my captain tell us what the call was, but we literally couldn’t hear each other.

"Fair play to the fans, they’ve been with us all season, it’s been class."

Bath will now set their sights on winning a seventh Premiership title and their first since 1996.

PWR