Bath 34-20 Bristol Bears result - Hosts overturn half-time deficit to book their place in next week's Gallagher Premiership final

PREM / Semi-final

Recreation Ground / 06.06.2025

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22:10

BATH BATTLE BACK TO BOOK PREMIERSHIP FINAL RETURN

Bath produced an inspired turnaround to defeat Bristol Bears 34-20 and book their place in next week's Gallagher Premiership final.

Johann van Graan's side overturned a 13-6 deficit with a four-try second-half blitz to deny their West Country rivals at The Rec.

Bristol had prevailed in three of the four meetings between the sides this season - including both Premiership encounters - and they landed the first blow of the play-off in emphatic fashion on 18 minutes.

Recovering the ball near his own try line, Kalaveti Ravouvou drove the visitors forward and following a neat exchange of passes across several plays, James Dun was able to charge for the line.

The two sides exchanged kicks as the Bears took a 13-6 advantage into half-time.

However, the hosts appeared rejuvenated upon the restart and were level within three minutes, as the unmarked Ted Hill touched down on his 50th appearance.

Bath subsequently went into overdrive. Tom de Glanville's clever punt broke kindly for Joe Cokanasiga to complete the turnaround, while superb spells of pressure culminated in Will Muir and Max Ojomoh darting over the line to put them 34-13 to the good.

Roared on by their supporters, the hosts also demonstrated their quality at the other end of the field by brilliantly holding up Ellis Genge and Harry Thacker over their own line.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg eventually went over for Bristol in the 74th minute, but it was too little too late for the visitors, as the hosts ensured their treble hopes remain very much alive.

Leicester Tigers will welcome Sale Sharks in the second play-off for the chance to take on Bath at Allianz Stadium, with all the action live once again on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Image credit: Getty Images

21:55

'IT MEANS THE WORLD TO THIS CLUB'

Guy Pepper produced a Player-of-the-Match display for Bath in the back row this evening.

The flanker spoke of what it means to reach another final, and remain on course for that treble.

"It's massive for this group. We've put a massive target on [reaching the final] this year," he told TNT Sports.

"I know we've had a great year in the cup competitions, but this is definitely one we want to go after.

"It means the world to this club to go back to Twickenham next week.

"It's probably the hardest game of rugby I've been involved in. In those first 20 mintues [of the second half], we showed what we're capable of.

"There was a lot of frustration that came out at half-time. We weren't ourselves in the first half. We definitely stuck to our gameplan, and got the win in the end.

"If we matched them emotionally, we knew we'd have the firepower, and that's what we did."

21:52

HOW TO WATCH PREMIERSHIP RUGBY PLAY-OFFS

After a tense final day of the 2024/25 regular season, the Gallagher Premiership now shifts into the knockout stage with the play-offs.

Tomorrow's Gallagher Premiership play-off will also be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The winners will play Bath in the final, which is being held at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, June 14.

Learn more.

21:47

'WE'RE ONE STEP CLOSER'

The picture of Tom Dunn at full-time paints a thousand words.

Battered, bruised and bloodied, the hooker did his bit to ensure Bath got the job done.

"We're one step closer [to the title]," he told TNT Sports. "We come in on Monday and go again.

"We trust the process, we were really calm at half-time.

"We knew they'd bring emotion and intensity. But we knew if we weathered it and stayed in it, we'd be tough to beat and we'd grind it out."

Bath ‘one step closer’ to goal, says Dunn – ‘I love it’

Video credit: TNT Sports

21:42

A GAME OF TWO HALVES AS BATH BURST BRISTOL'S BUBBLE

Bath's hopes of completing the treble remain very much alive, as they progressed to their second successive Premiership final.

However, that seemed like a pipe dream when they trailed 13-6 at half-time, with Bristol looking good value to reach their maiden Premiership showpiece.

The Bears had been the scourge of Bath during this season, winning three of their four encounters - including both in the Premiership.

However, Johann van Graan's half-time message clearly stuck with the hosts, who produced a four-try blitz to eventually cruise into next week's showpiece against either Leicester Tigers or Sale Sharks.

FULL-TIME

Bath 34-20 Bristol Bears

Image credit: Getty Images

79'

ONE MINUTE

A lengthy spell of possession from Bristol ends as they are penalised.

The home fans let out a huge roar, knowing their side are nearly there.

76'

BATH ON THE BRINK

There is a break in play as Russell receives treatment.

The hosts are just over four minutes away from reaching a second successive Premiership final.

74'

TRY! BATH 34-20 BRISTOL (VAN RENSBURG)

Bristol grab what will likely be a consolation as Van Rensburg stretches for the line.

A TMO review rules he just about got there, with the tip of the ball touching the line.

Byrne quickly converts.

The visitors trail by two scores with six minutes remaining.

69'

MAGNIFICENT DEFENDING

The visitors will be wondering what they must do to score!

Bath, somehow, manage to hold them up at the line once again, with Thacker thwarted on this occasion.

66'

HELD UP

Bristol desperately seek a response and push for the line through Genge.

However, Bath do brilliantly to prevent them at the last gasp.

The hosts have worked hard for their lead, and clearly have no intention of letting it go easily.

61'

TRY! BATH 34-13 BRISTOL BEARS (OJOMOH)

The hosts are walking away with this!

Despite being held up at the line, Russell's offload is met by the speedy Ojomoh, who bursts past the defender and to the line.

Russell adds another two points, and Bath are all but assured of their place in the final.

‘Finals rugby, please!’ – Ojomoh looks to secure Bath win with one-handed try

Video credit: TNT Sports

58'

YELLOW CARD

Bristol are down to 14 men once again, with Marmion sent to the bin on this occasion.

The visitors' task has just become even more difficult.

56'

TRY! BATH 27-13 BRISTOL BEARS (MUIR)

What on earth did Van Graan say to his players at half-time?!

Whatever he did say has worked an absolute treat.

In similar fashion to Hill's try, Muir is the spare man out on the left and, despite pressure from the covering defender, battles his way over the line.

Russell superbly converts again to put the hosts two scores to the good.

52'

BATH REPLACEMENT

There's another change in the hosts' front row, with Annett on to replace the injured Dunn.

50'

TRY! BATH 20-13 BRISTOL BEARS (COKANASIGA)

The hosts lead for the first time today!

After withstanding a good spell of Bristol pressure, Russell clears their lines.

Later, De Glanville's clever punt breaks kindly for Cokanasiga, who just about stretches for the line.

Russell converts from a tight angle, and Bath are in control here.

48'

REPLACEMENTS

There is activity on both benches as the two coaches freshen up their front rows.

Among them, Stuart is replaced by Du Toit, who comes on for his 50th Bath appearance.

43'

TRY! BATH 13-13 BRISTOL BEARS (HILL)

What a start to the second half!

The hosts hit the ground running from the restart, and are awarded a penalty.

The subsequent pressure results in the unmarked Hill touching down near the corner.

Despite the angle, Russell superbly converts and we're all square here!

‘Statement made!’ – Russell picks out Hill as Bristol strike back

Video credit: TNT Sports

KICK-OFF

Russell gets the second half under way for Bath.

20:37

HOW TO WATCH PREMIERSHIP RUGBY PLAY-OFFS

After a tense final day of the 2024/25 regular season, the Gallagher Premiership now shifts into the knockout stage with the play-offs.

Both Gallagher Premiership play-offs will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The two winners of this week’s matches will then have a week to prepare for the final, which is being held at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, June 14.