Bath are springing into life and Jamie Roberts is the next to make a telling break.

He slips through Bristol Bears' defensive line and as the move continues the visitors earn a penalty at the breakdown.

Captain Matt Garvey decides that they want to take the scrum and with the final quarter already in sight, this is a key moment for both teams.

Gareth Chilcott
Ex-England and Bath prop on BBC Radio Bristol

This is a great game of rugby and the pendulum is swinging one way then the other.

Suddenly Bath have all the energy and it's Bristol who are starting to struggle.

George Smith is pinged at the breakdown, you don't see that said too often, and Rhys Priestland lines-up the kick at goal.

Alas for those of a Bath persuasion, the fly-half's attempt doesn't find the mark. It's a kick that he would expect himself to make more often than not too.

There's a short pause in play before Bath take their line-out, Joe Cokanasiga is receiving treatment on his leg knee.

Bristol steal the line-out before a spot of deja-vu as Nic Stirzaker finds touch again...

Gareth Chilcott
Ex-England and Bath prop on BBC Radio Bristol

You look at the Bath body language and they look all over the place.

They look out of sorts, they don't know whether to drive it or spread it wide.

Their body language looks like they're not going to be able to get back into this.

Jack Lam comes onto the field and takes the place of Jordan Crane who looks like he's worked himself into the ground.

The home side keep the ball alive well but Alapati Leiua's knock-on halts their endeavour.

Rhys Priestland puts a deep kick through and pins the home side back, Bristol think about running it from deep but eventually decide to clear to touch through Nic Stirzaker.

Image source, Getty Images

Ian Madigan was the leading points scorer in the Championship last season and he confidently extends their lead at the start of this Premiership season.

Bristol Bears start the half with the ball in their hands and immediately gain an opportunity to extend their lead after an infringement from Sam Underhill at the breakdown.

There are 26,079 people in the crowd tonight at Ashton Gate and that is a new club record.

Will the home fans, including this young lady, be celebrating in 40 minutes time or will the bragging rights go to their West Country neighbours? Let's find out...

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Brian Tempest

While we're at half-time at Ashton Gate we're just going to turn our attention briefly to the Championship.

BBC Sport's Brent Pilnick made the long trip along the A30 to Penzance to find out a bit more about Cornish Pirates and what it takes to keep the UK's most remote mainland team going.

After all, Bristol's promotion to the Premiership meant the Pirates lost their most 'local' derby...

Ahead of the new Premiership season, Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce has been teaching the club's star summer arrival, All Black Charles Piutau, some traditional Bristolian phrases.

Click on the video below to see if you have as much idea as Piutau.

Matt Dawson's Rugby Show returned this week on BBC 5 Live Sport and the team discussed Danny Cipriani, England, Chris Boyd and much more.

Save the link - HERE - in your favourites to enjoy the show after tonight's match and listen to a taster below.

Gareth Chilcott
Ex-England and Bath prop on BBC Radio Bristol

Bristol have done very well. They have been manful and they have grown into the game.

But Bath have been appalling. They need a change at 10 because I don't think I have ever seen Rhys Priestland play so poorly.

He is giving Bath no direction at all. Bath are out of sorts, they are dropping balls and missing tackles.

The more they do that, Bristol grow in stature.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union reporter at Ashton Gate

Image source, Gett

Scrappy first half with far too many handling errors, but while Bath have the edge up front and should have scored at least 10 points, it's striking how many players Bristol have that can break the gain-line.

Thacker, Vui, Luatua and Morahan are among the players to look dangerous with ball in hand.

The half ends with a knock-on and both sides will be looking forward to a rest and having the chance to discuss a few things in the changing rooms.

Bath will be wondering how they finished that half without any points while Bristol Bears grew and grew as the 40 minutes progressed.

Image source, Rex Features

Bristol set up the scrum and work it to the right but Ian Madigan's handling lets them down and they lose possession.

Rhys Priestland's clearance kick goes straight down the neck of Will Hurrell and the home side decide to give it one more crack before the break.

Image source, Getty Images

Bristol Bears have the ball in their possession but Tusi Pisi is wrapped up by Dave Attwood.

The pressure forces Ian Madigan to put boot to ball and then Bath make a bit of a mess of cleaning up the kick due to Ryan Edwards and Steve Luatua breathing down their necks.

The knock-on from the visitors arrives and Bristol have a chance to press further as half-time approaches.

Luke Daniels limps off the field and he's replaced by Ryan Edwards who is in his seventh season with the side.

Luke Morahan moves back to full-back while Daniels sides in the stands and has an ice-pack immediately put on his hamstring.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union reporter at Ashton Gate

Remember both Siale and Charles Piutau are coming back into this Bristol backline... game-breakers everywhere.