Finn Russell and England forwards help Bath power past Newcastle

Bath claimed their fifth successive Gallagher Premiership victory with a 40-15 win over Newcastle at Kingston Park that keeps them top of the standings.

A breathless start to the game saw a Jamie Blamire try put the hosts ahead barely a minute in and although Alfie Barbeary quickly responded for Bath, Freddie Lockwood’s converted score saw Newcastle leading 12-7 after just eight minutes.

However, that was about as good as it got for the struggling Falcons and tries from Tom de Glanville and Will Stuart gave the visitors a six-point advantage at the break before Bath stormed away in the second half.

Charlie Ewels added Bath’s fourth try to bag the bonus point before Finn Russell – who also slotted over five conversions – and Sam Underhill went over in the final 15 minutes to earn their side a seventh win of the season, while the Falcons remain second-bottom after slumping to a sixth loss.

Newcastle threatened to upset the odds when they took the lead soon after kick-off when the Bath defence spilled a high kick and Blamire reacted quickly to kick the ball forward before diving on top of it to ground.

Johann van Graan’s men hit back when Barbeary capped off a charge towards the Falcons line, touching down next to the upright to give Russell an easy kick to add the extras.

But Lockwood restored Newcastle’s advantage moments later after the Falcons broke away from a scrum and, following a great spell of pressure by the posts, the flanker sneaked around the back to touch down. Brett Connon extended the gap with a successful conversion.

Newcastle again could hold on their lead though, and Bath notched their second try in the 22nd minute when a cross-field kick reached De Glanville, who charged forward to score his fourth Premiership try of the season.

Connon kicked Newcastle back in front at 15-14 with a penalty straight through the middle before brilliant defending from Callum Chick and Lockwood denied Barbeary his second try of the evening following a great Bath move down the right flank.

But the Falcons could not keep their high-flying visitors at bay indefinitely and as Bath began to threaten towards the end of the half, a promising drive in the final minutes was eventually finished off after a series of phases by Stuart, who touched down following a scramble under the posts.

With Russell again converting, Bath led 21-15 at the break and they moved up through the gears after the interval to score 19 unanswered points and secure the win.

They struck again eight minutes into the second half when Ewels cut through the Newcastle defence and spun away before crashing over the line.

The Falcons showed some promise with their breaks on the attack, but Bath did well to stop their opponents from getting a foothold back into the match, especially with some brilliant defensive work on their own tryline to deny Newcastle multiple times.

Bath also showcased their strength at the other end of the pitch with a solid spell of pressure and although they were initially thwarted by Newcastle, Russell cut into the left and dodged a tackle to touch down before converting his own score.

Underhill then capped off a comfortable evening for the visitors after bundling over for their sixth try in the final minute.