Evans hat-trick in vain

Thom Evans scored a hat-trick of tries as Glasgow Warriors put in a valiant effort in going down 35-31 in the Heineken Cup to Bath at the Recreation Ground.

Former Wasps winger Evans' treble, restricted Bath to a 21-19 lead with almost three-quarters of an entertaining Pool Five encounter gone.

But the Guinness Premiership title contenders dug deep when it really mattered, conjuring quickfire tries for wing Michael Stephenson and substitute centre Shaun Berne midway through the second half.

Stephenson finished with a double, while flanker Andy Beattie also crossed; yet it was fly-half Butch James' goal-kicking that gave Bath breathing space.

The Springboks World Cup-winner slotted six kicks from seven attempts - three penalties and three conversions - to keep the pressure on group leaders Toulouse, who visit Bath next month.

Glasgow find themselves in the familiar position of pondering a pool stage exit - having lost to Bath, Toulouse and Newport Gwent Dragons.

But given the fact they were minus injured half-backs Dan Parks and Mark McMillan, Glasgow gave Bath a surprising amount to think about - and substitute Hefin O'Hare's late try provided a deserved four-try bonus point.

Fly-half Ruaridh Jackson even caused late panic in the Bath ranks by converting his own breakaway touchdown four minutes from time. But the home side prevailed, despite losing out 5-4 on tries and only narrowly thwarting a last-gasp Glasgow break-out.