Bristol Bears were beaten 33-24 by Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground on Saturday in the eighth round of pool stage games in the 2025/26 PREM Rugby Cup
Bristol Bears centre Joe Jenkins breaks a tackle from Max Ojomoh (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Bristol Bears suffered their fourth successive derby defeat to Bath Rugby on Saturday after the reigning PREM Rugby Cup champions overturned a narrow half time deficit to win 33-24 at the Recreation Ground to put them in prime position to reach the knockout rounds of the competition once again.
Bristol Bears’ backline produced three tries for wingers Max Pepper and Gabriel Ibitoye, and scrum-half Harry Randall, with fly-half Sam Worsley adding all three conversions and a penalty for nine points.
READ MORE: Bath Rugby 33-24 Bristol Bears LIVE: Reaction from PREM Rugby Cup clash
But Bath were much the stronger side in the second half in particular, and winger Archie Griffin and number eight Arthur Green both touched down for braces, with replacement George Timmins getting on the scoresheet again after a try-scoring cameo last weekend in the win away at Sale Sharks.
Bristol, who are too far adrift to be able to qualify for the semi-finals, now have a bye weekend off to lick their wounds.
South West rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players…
15 Rich Lane – 7
The full back gave a perfect 20m wide pass to put Pepper in for the Bears’ opening try, never breaking his stride as he put it on a plate for his team mate. After a shaky defensive display last weekend, he was much stronger this week.
14 Max Pepper – 7
Moved from covering scrum half on the bench last week to starting on the wing this week, Pepper butchered an early chance to score a try as Austin Emens got across to cut him down when it looked like he has space to score, but he made amends shortly after when put into space by Lane to cross.
13 Benjamin Elizalde – 7
The Argentine showed some nice touches in midfield as Bristol’s back line looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the first half.
12 Joe Jenkins – 9
Making his first start since October after recovering from a hamstring injury, the Welshman really caught the eye as everything he touched seemed to turn to gold as he constantly got his side on the front foot and broke the line numerous times, including a flashy, eye-catching 60m burst down the middle. He looks bigger and stronger and could be a real asset in the run-in for the Bears.
11 Gabriel Ibitoye – 5
The winger still looks a long way from his best as he dropped passes, lost control of the ball on midfield, and more than once ran into a blue, black and white blanket of players having crabbed across the field. He did score a decent try though, regathering a bobbled ball, to power through a tackle and touch down in the corner.
10 Sam Worsley – 7
The fly-half kicked beautifully from the tee and passed the ball quickly to really allow his centre duo to flourish.
9 Harry Randall – 7
Captaining the side, having been named player of the match last week for England A out in Ireland, his decision to tap quick tap penalties twice in the game backfired as he got isolated and ended up losing the ball. But he zipped off the back of a scrum in the second half to score a trademark try, which was all about his pace and ability to get outside the flankers.
1 Louie Trevett – 7
The Bears’ scrum was marginally on top throughout the contest to provide Bristol with a strong platform to attack from.
2 Tomas Gwilliam – 7
The Bears’ lineout performed well all day as Gwilliam put in a big shift after Harry Thacker dropped out late in the day due to illness.
3 Max Lahiff – 7
The tighthead got smashed backwards carrying the ball a couple of times, but provided solidity at the scrum.
4 James Dun – 7
Starting in what is likely his penultimate Bath v Bristol derby, having agreed to join Harlequins next season, the flanker was a willing carrier but knocked the ball on a couple of times.
5 Steele Barker – 7
The lock made an eye-catching break, which should have led to a try, but the Bears failed to capitalise on the line-break.
6 Joe Owen – 7
The lock put in a couple of thunderous tackles, one that really left a mark on Kepueli Tuipulotu who had just pin balled through a couple of tackles moments earlier.
7 George Taylor – 6
The flanker put in some physical tackles and came up with a decent clearing kick but didn’t have the same impact as last week. Picked up a late yellow card for illegally dragging down a maul with Bath looking to score again.
8 John Edwards – 6
The number eight struggled to make an impact as a ball carrier as his opposite number, Arthur Green, set the standard with a pair of close-range tries to show off his power game.
Replacements:
16 Kieran Hil – N/A
17 Sam Grahamslaw – 6
18 Sam Scott – 6
19 Ethan Surrey – 6
20 Raff Weston – N/A
21 Sam Wolstenholme – 6
22 Charlie Powell – N/A
23 Ollie Harris – N/A
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