Bath Rugby smash Newcastle Falcons 58-5

Todd Blackadder's first game in charge of Bath at the Recreation Ground could not have got off to a more perfect start as they cast aside Newcastle.

Bath raced into a 32-0 half-time lead thanks to tries from Matt Banahan, and two from Semesa Rokoduguni and they did not let off in the second half as further tries from Kane Palma-Newport, two from Attwood ahd one from Elliott Stooke on his 23rd birthday.

George Ford was the star of the show for the second week in a row though due to some impressive kicking.

A penalty and a drop by Ford put Bath 6-0 up inside the first 22 minutes and it was soon 13-0 when Ford knocked over a penalty try.

Two minutes later Bath scored their first try of the contest after he latched onto a chip by Kahn Foutali'i, a try that Ford converted.

Bath were ruthless at the Rec and scored a second try via Rokoduguni, which, again was converted by Ford for 27-0.

There was still time for one more try in the first 40 though, right in the last second, as Rokoduguni went over again, although Ford missed his conversion this time around.

The hosts started the second half as they ended the first - with a try.

Kane Palma-Newport wrestled his way over the try line as Bath ran a penalty to great success. Ford managed to kick over the conversion again.

Attwood was soon the beneficiary of some neat passing play by Foutali'i and Zach Mercer to make it 44-0 and Attwood doubled his try tally with 15 minutes remaining and Ford was spot on with his kick.

Newcastle did manage one score of their own, through Ally Hogg but that was all they mustered in a very miserable afternoon for the Falcons.

But Bath would still have the last word with Stooke scoring right at the death.