Bath edge out Newcastle Falcons to boost playoff push

Bath have boosted their hopes of an Aviva Premiership playoff place after a 29-19 victory against Newcastle Falcons.

Despite Rory Clegg's early penalty for the hosts, Bath took the lead after Ollie Devoto's ninth-minute try at Kingston Park.

The visitors managed to extend their advantage soon after when England wing Semesa Rokoduguni crossed over for the Somerset side.

However, another three points from Clegg and a Sinoti Sinoti try gave the Falcons a sniff of a surprise victory over the Premiership playoff contenders.

Normal service looked to have been resumed when Anthony Watson crossed over for Bath with a minute left in the opening period.

Bath then put daylight between the teams, two minutes after the break, when former England back Matt Banahan scored for the Mike Ford's team.

Newcastle were given renewed hope of a comeback after Carl Fearns was sin-binned with 15 minutes remaining, but Bath managed to hold on for victory.