Bath Rugby first-team coach Neal Hatley lauded his side's lightning start as they secured a place in the Amlin Cup quarter-finals with a 30-13 victory at Newport Gwent Dragons yesterday.
The bonus-point success at Rodney Parade means Bath now have an unassailable lead at the top of Pool 2 ahead of the final round of group matches next week. They complete their pool campaign when Bordeaux visit The Rec on Thursday.
Micky Young, Tom Biggs, Mat Gilbert and Leroy Houston all touched down in a rampant first half for the visitors as they wrapped up the bonus point before the break.
Newport's Nic Cudd got the only try of a scrappy second 40 minutes but there was never any suggestion the home side would muster a more threatening fightback.
Bath forwards boss Hatley said: "To come down and get the win, the bonus point as well, and deny them anything was the icing on the cake. And now that's qualification done.
"We've started pretty well in most games, maybe bar Saracens away. It's been a strength of ours this season and something we've worked on.
"It's always going to be tough coming here, Bordeaux struggled here, so we are very pleased with the start we had. To have the bonus point by half-time was very pleasing.
"Newport played a lot better in the second half. They kicked a lot more intelligently, they put the ball in behind a few times and we were forced to play out from lineouts.
"But we had guys who haven't played for a long time, someone like Guy Mercer was back after a few months out, so we were always expecting a little bit of rustiness."
Bath made a dozen changes to the side that drew 27-27 at Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership last Sunday but were still able to produce a dominant performance at Rodney Parade.
Despite seeing five Bath players included in England's Six Nations squad last week, Hatley hopes the strength in depth the club now have at their disposal will help them continue to challenge for honours on all fronts until the end of the season.
"The strength of the squad is making a big difference," added Hatley. "To make 12 changes is a hell of a lot but we've got a short turnaround to the next game and it doesn't make sense to run players into the ground.
"Someone like Tom Heathcote hasn't played a lot this season. We would expect a bit of rustiness, but I thought in the first half he kicked field position really well, ran with the ball well, and defended really well.
"The squad strength is so important and people like him and Tom Biggs are going to be crucial over the next five to six weeks. That's why it's important they get these opportunities to play and get that match fitness back."CHECK OUT OUR GREAT PICTURE GALLERY FROM NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS v BATH RUGBY
