Jack Haythornthwaite and Adam Dew were stretchered off with lower limb and neck injuries respectively. Following the latter, both sides were taken off and the match paused for a significant period.

Bristol were 19-0 ahead at the time of the stoppage with wing Tom Ormsby diving over twice in the corner and Archie Prewett crossing from close range.

After 40 minutes play resumed. Bath were much more lively with full-back Charlie Brook showcasing electric speed on numerous occasions.

Ieuan Davies controlled the pace of the junior Blue, Black and White attack and it was the Millfield School scrum-half who got the visitors on the scoreboard, tapping and sniping to the line early in the second half.

On the up, Bath looked dangerous in attack and but for an intercept from Bears wing Dan Williams, they would have almost certainly ran in a try from the halfway. Instead, Williams sprinted in for a converted try of his own.

Though behind 26-7, Bath remained spirited and determined with excellent work in close quarters. As they picked around the fringes of the ruck to creep closer to the whitewash, flanker Oliver Branagan eventually snuck through for his side’s second – both of which were converted by fly-half Tom Howlett.

Possession stayed with Bath for the final quarter of the contest and despite a large spell of effort in the Bristol 22, the hosts proved too stubborn to budge and the result ended 26-14 in their favour.

U18s suffer opening round defeat to Bristol Bears

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