First win for Hull as Bristol Rugby keep survival hopes alive

Bristol Rugby 37 Worcester Warriors 18: Paul Hull tasted victory for the first time as Bristol head coach as his side ran riot against Worcester to keep their slim Guinness Premiership survival hopes alive.

The only disappointing aspect of their six-try dismantling of their only remaining relegation rivals was that it came about three months too late.

Bristol Rugby have shown a marked improvement in the six matches since Hull replaced Richard Hill – and yesterday's clinical display provided the clearest proof yet that the club is firmly back on track.

Tries from Tom Arscott, Junior Fatialofa and Mariano Sambucetti saw Bristol storm into a 17-0 lead inside the opening 30 minutes.

And although Worcester Warriors fought back to trail 17-15 shortly after the break, Bristol found an extra gear to pull away from their visitors and add a further three tries in the final 21 minutes.

Lee Robinson, back to his aggressive best on the wing, scored two of them, while replacement scrum-half Haydn Thomas also crossed in a thoroughly deserved victory.

The bonus-point success was Bristol's first league win since November; the first time they have secured a try-scoring bonus point all season and the first time they have scored six tries in a Premiership match since March 2003.

They were relegated shortly after that 48-41 win over Harlequins. And while they still look doomed this season, at least Hull has restored pride and belief to a team that appeared in ruins after that humiliating 35-3 home defeat to Newcastle Falcons little more than six weeks ago.

"Performances had been improving, without us finishing it off, so it is really pleasing to know we can play for 80 minutes, instead of 45 or 50," said Hull.

"There were times when we were under pressure, but we didn't wilt this time and we carried on through. I am really pleased for the guys, who have been working so hard over the last few weeks.

"We can't change what happened before and during the Newcastle game, and we can't control what the other teams do – but I'm really pleased we've come away with a win.

"It's my first, and I'm pleased with that, but I've always said that if you keep improving then you will get your rewards."

Bristol played some of their best attacking rugby of the season as they tore into a Worcester side who had beaten Gloucester Rugby seven days earlier.

Admittedly, Mike Ruddock's men – aside from a 20-minute spell either side of half-time – served up one of the more tepid Premiership displays of the season.

But Bristol still had to put them away – and did so with such confidence, it bordered on a swagger by the time referee Wayne Barnes blew the final whistle to end Worcester's misery.

Nine points is now the gap between the sides – and although a Bristol escape looks highly unlikely, they have at least given Ruddock and his troops something to think about heading into the final four weeks of the season.

The excellent Arscott was first to cross, going over on 11 minutes after showing quick feet to slip through a gap and score under the posts after a sustained period of Bristol pressure.

Ed Barnes converted to give Bristol a 7-0 lead – and they continued to make life a living hell for the Worcester defence.

Fatialofa was next to score, taking Arscott's fine pass to cross on the right after Sambucetti had almost battered a route to the line on the opposite wing.

And the Argentina lock, fresh from signing a new Bristol contract, got on the scoresheet himself for the first time this season after impressive work from Barnes, Arscott, Robinson and David Lemi. Bristol spent the final nine minutes of the opening half on the back foot, though, as Worcester finally hit their stride.

Miles Benjamin thought he had scored after a lengthy spell of Worcester pressure – only for his effort to be ruled out for crossing – but they were soon celebrating when Dale Rasmussen's power and persistence were rewarded with a try.

And the visitors' momentum continued after the break, with them scoring eight points in two minutes to make it 17-15. First Willie Walker landed a long-range penalty – then he ran back Barnes' kick, sent Marcel Garvey on a wonderful winding run and took possession back before setting up Kai Horstmann to cross.

Ruddock admitted he felt his side would go on to win the match from that position – but Bristol showed resilience unlike at any previous stage in the season and hit back positively.

Arscott's drop goal gave them a five-point cushion, before the dangerous Robinson scored a deserved try to shatter Worcester's spirit.

Arscott, Neil Brew and Fatialofa were all heavily involved before Robinson powered over in the corner. Thomas added a fifth try when Roy Winters sent him down the short side from a quick line-out – and the victory was safe.

Walker kicked a penalty to bring Worcester to within 12 points at 30-18 – but Bristol added a sixth try with the final play of the match.

Robinson ran a clever line and gathered what appeared to be a forward pass from Barnes to score under the posts, giving his fly-half – who had missed his previous four conversion attempts – a simple kick to complete a 37-18 victory.