Summary

  • FT: Bath 23-16 Leicester Tigers

  • Bath overcome Tigers to climb to fifth in Premiership table

  • FT: Bristol Bears 35-28 Newcastle

  • Bristol's fourth win of season leaves Newcastle bottom

  • Championship: FT - Cornish Pirates 27-0 London Scottish

  1. Postpublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 20-10 Leicester

    George Ford of Leicester Tigers skips through the tackle of Semesa Rokoduguni of BathImage source, Getty Images

    The Tigers are still hanging in there.

    On the balance of play, Bath should really be further ahead. But, with 15 minutes left, the visitors still have a chance of coming away with something.

  2. Penalty - Bristol 28-25 Newcastlepublished at 16:36 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Callum Sheedy

    Bristol back in front again as Callum Sheedy comes off the bench and slots over the penalty.

  3. Postpublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 20-10 Leicester

    Changes in the pack for Leicester, as Campese Ma'afu and Mike Williams come on for Ellis Genge and Graham Kitchener.

    The Tigers forwards have got through a lot of tacking today as they have looked to repel the attacks from Bath.

    Scrum-half Ben Youngs is also off, to be replaced by Ben White.

  4. Postpublished at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bristol 25-25 Newcastle

    Charles Piutau of Bristol Bears is tackled by Chris Harris and Josh MatavesiImage source, get

    Bristol come roaring back now in search of the lead again and a fourth try for a bonus point.

    Lots of phases inside Newcastle's 22 and eventually they force a penalty in front of the posts on 70 minutes.

    Hooker Kyle Cooper the guilty party as he leaves a hand in the ruck.

  5. try

    Try - Bristol 25-25 Newcastlepublished at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Adam Radwan, missed con Toby Flood

    And we're all square yet again! What a game these two are treating us to.

    Newcastle winger Adam Radwan gets a perfect birthday present with their third try to level it at 25-25.

    Adam Radwan scores a try for NewcastleImage source, Getty Images

    Toby Flood the provider on 65 minutes with a cute grubber kick from the outside of his boot and Radwan is there to dot down on his 21st birthday.

    But, the width of the post denies Flood and Newcastle the lead as the conversion is missed off the upright.

  6. Postpublished at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 20-10 Leicester

    Try-scorer Ruaridh McConnochie comes off to be replaced by Cooper Vuna.

    Bath have just over 20 minutes to find a fourth try which would put them level on points with fourth-placed Harlequins.

  7. Postpublished at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bristol 25-20 Newcastle

    Micky Young of Newcastle Falcons clears the ballImage source, Getty Images

    Newcastle's handling lets them down when in sight of a try.

    Bristol keep it together at the breakdown and the mistake finally comes as Falcons try to be too cute.

    Just over 17 minutes left.

  8. Postpublished at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bristol 25-20 Newcastle

    Tense stuff as we move into the final quarter.

    Newcastle nearly creep down the left wing before Bristol shut the door. Toby Flood manages to keep the ball alive before being rumbled out of touch.

    Scrum to Falcons from 10 metres out as they look to draw level.

  9. try

    Try - Bath 20-10 Leicesterpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Ruaridh McConnochie

    Ruaridh McConnochie of Bath in action against LeicesterImage source, Getty Images

    As soon as Leicester think they are back in it, Bath grab their third try of the game.

    It is brilliant work by Ruaridh McConnochie, who is fed on the wing and finds the pace along the touchline to power home after fending off Ellis Genge.

    Freddie Burns narrowly misses the conversion from out wide, striking the upright.

    A crucial score for Bath.

  10. Penalty - Bath 15-10 Leicesterpublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    George Ford

    George Ford kicks the points to bring the Tigers back to within a score of the hosts.

    We've had almost 15 minutes of the second period.

  11. Postpublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 15-7 Leicester

    Leicester are having their best period of the game since taking the lead with their early try.

    They go through the phases and work their way into the Bath 22 before winning a penalty as Zach Mercer is penalised for not rolling away after a tackle.

  12. Penalty - Bristol 25-20 Newcastlepublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Ian Madigan

    Fifteen unanswered points in the space of 18 second-half minutes for Bristol.

    Ian Madigan back in the groove with a penalty after Newcastle infringed inside their own 22. Their lead stretches to five points.

    Falcons in desperate need of a response now.

  13. Postpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bristol 22-20 Newcastle

    It's seemingly all Bristol now.

    Luke Morahan nearly burst away down the right wing for another try.

    Simon Hammersley isn't able to clear the grubber kick through from his own 22 before being bundled out of touch and Bristol can go again from the line-out.

  14. Postpublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 15-7 Leicester

    Bath flanker Sam Underhill is forced off with an ankle injury, and is replaced by Zach Mercer.

    England coach Eddie Jones may be concerned by that one, with the Six Nations around the corner in 2019.

  15. try

    Try - Bristol 22-20 Newcastlepublished at 16:16 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Luke Morahan, missed con Ian Madigan

    Luke Morahan tackledImage source, Getty Images

    What a turnaround here!

    Two tries in the space of six minutes have put Bristol back ahead in this one.

    Luke Morahan was the provider for Harry Randall's early try, this time he's the finisher in the right corner from a fine flowing move involving both Charles Piutau and hooker Harry Thacker's smart work off the floor.

    Ian Madigan has his first blemish of the afternoon off the tee though as he misses the tricky attempt out wide.

    There are 25 minutes to go.

  16. Postpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bristol 17-20 Newcastle

    Newcastle switch up their entire front row in a bid to weather this latest Bristol storm.

    Vereniki Goneva is almost in again for a try but Bristol have the answers in defence this time.

    Could go either way this one with 28 minutes to go.

  17. Postpublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 15-7 Leicester

    Bath keep plugging away and seem set to grab their third try, with a few good line breaks from Tom Ellis, Francois Louw and then Sam Underhill.

    But again the Tigers come up with an answer and win a penalty to clear their lines.

  18. Postpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bath 15-7 Leicester

    A desperate ankle-tap from Matt Toomua denies Francois Louw a potential score as Bath continue to pile the pressure on Leicester.

    The number eight was running into space in the 22 after receiving a great pop pass.

    But the Tigers get a breather by winning a turnover and kick to touch on halfway, but then infringe at their own line-out.

  19. try

    Try - Bristol 17-20 Newcastlepublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Charles Piutau, con Ian Madigan

    Charles PiutauImage source, Getty Images

    Game on again!

    Bristol reduce the deficit to three points on 49 minutes as their marquee signing Charles Piutau crosses for his second Premiership try of the season.

    It comes after concerted pressure on Newcastle's line where they nearly got in under the posts, but the numbers were there out wide for full-back Piutau to take advantage.

    Ian Madigan slots through the conversion.

  20. Postpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2018

    Bristol 10-20 Newcastle

    Newcastle winger Adam Radwan penalised for a high tackle on his opposite number Luke Morahan.

    Bristol opt for the corner to try and force their way back into this with just over five played since the restart.