Newcastle 11-14 Bath

Newcastle (6) 11
Tries: Manning Pens: Gopperth 2
Bath (8) 14
Tries: Claassens Pens: James 2, Vesty

Michael Claassens’ first-half try kept Bath’s slim play-off hopes alive but Newcastle remain in relegation danger.

After Jimmy Gopperth’s 23rd-minute penalty, Bath hit back with a try from Claassens three minutes later.

Gopperth kicked another penalty but Butch James responded with his own kick as Bath had a two-point half-time lead.

Sam Vesty and James both had successful kicks in the second half and Jeremy Manning’s late try secured Newcastle a vital bonus point.

Newcastle are now a point clear of bottom club Leeds with one game remaining next weekend – the Falcons go to Bath and Leeds travel to Northampton.

More to follow.

Newcastle: Tait; Fielden, Vickerman, Tuipulotu, Bobo; Gopperth, Young; Golding, Thompson, Murray; Hudson, van der Heijden; Swinson, Welch, Hogg.

Replacements: Manning for A. Tait (49), Fitzpatrick for Vickerman (68), Vickers for Thompson (49), Brookes for Murray (56), M. Wilson for Swinson (66), Gray for Welch (52), Pilgrim for Hogg (69).
Not Used: Shiels.

Bath: Abendanon; Boussuge, Carraro, Banahan, Biggs; Vesty, Claassens; Flatman, Mears, Wilson; Fernandez Lobbe, Grewcock; Skirving, Moody, Taylor.

Replacements: Scott for Boussuge (56), McMillan for Vesty (62), Catt for Flatman (56), Batty for Mears (68), Bell for Wilson (51), Mercer for Fernandez Lobbe (70), Ovens for Grewcock (69).
Not Used: Roberts.

Att: 5,213

Ref: JP Doyle (RFU).