“There’s a lot of love and support around the team. That’s what it’s about. We come together as one group, analyse the game, and focus on doing our jobs. We don’t always know what people are going through in their personal lives, but I thought their performance today reflected real character.”
Lam’s side had been well beaten for much of the opening period as Bath chased a first win in BS3 since 2008, but the contest swung after the break following a fired-up response, a decisive halftime intervention, and major impact from the bench.
The Bears, still licking their wounds from their thrashing by league leaders the Northampton Saints last time out, started brightly enough as they looked to respond in front of their home supporters.
Centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, the latest addition to Steve Borthwick’s England training squad, set the tone early with the night’s opening raid, which was met by a thunderous Sam Underhill tackle.
There was inventive intent from the hosts, who were soon relieved when Bath winger Henry Arundell had a try ruled out in the corner following a forward pass. It was one of the few moments to lift a bruising, stop-start opening quarter dominated by heavy collisions, defensive grit and forward pressure.
Bath continued to look the more dangerous side and eventually their pressure told. Their pack laid the foundation with repeated close-range carries before Ollie Lawrence snuck over from short range.
Ciaran Donoghue converted to reward the visitors, who should arguably have struck again soon after. Ben Spencer caught Bristol napping with a quick penalty, but the hosts scrambled brilliantly to deny Bath a second try.
The reprieve did not last long. On the half-hour mark, Spencer’s sharp dummy from the base of the ruck opened up the defence for fellow England international Guy Pepper to finish.
Needing a response, Bristol turned to their leaders, with captain Fitz Harding driving them back into contention with a powerful line for a converted score.
However, momentum swung again before the break as the Bears conceded back-to-back penalties, allowing Bath to capitalise through Thomas du Toit. Donoghue added the conversion with the final kick of the half.
At the interval, Lam reshaped his side and introduced Tom Jordan, a change that immediately shifted momentum. Bristol were soon rewarded with a penalty try after Arundell deliberately knocked down a pass intended for Louis Rees-Zammit, earning a yellow card.
With Bath temporarily down to 14, Bristol pushed for more. Rees-Zammit almost capitalised on a loose kick but knocked on with the line in sight, while Harry Randall was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Ted Hill.
The pressure finally told as prop Max Lahiff forced his way over the line, sending Ashton Gate into full voice as Jordan’s conversion edged Bristol into the lead for the first time.
The closing stages were tense, with both sides chasing victory and the bonus point. Bath’s Santiago Carreras had a long-range penalty to snatch it at the end, but his effort drifted wide.