Bath's hopes of a second successive Wadworth 6X West of England Premier 1 title were dealt another blow on Saturday as they were edged out by 11 runs at home to lowly Bristol.
The defeat was the Swords' third in the last four matches and saw them drop to fourth place in the table – behind in-form local rivals Corsham, who were eight-wicket victors at home to Bridgwater.
Visiting Bristol backed themselves from the start at North Parade electing to bat after winning the toss and reaching 214-9, with Ralph Hardwick top-scoring on 62 from 97 balls.
There was also a valuable 44 from Tom Smith and skipper Will Rudge contributed 31 as Lloyd Davies (3-38) and Adam Kelly (2-19) led the Bath attack.
In reply, Bath looked in good shape at 104-1 thanks to Tim Rouse (55) and Robin Lett (40).
The pair put on 89 for the second wicket but, once Lett departed, they slipped to 147-7. Hardwick picked up 3-36.
Bath continued to chip away at their target, but the run out of Jon Green (21) was quickly followed by the dismissal of last man Simon Marchant as Bristol sealed a rare win at the champions' headquarters.
Meanwhile, Wiltshire captain Michael Coles clubbed 150 off only 106 balls to help Corsham sink his former club.
Bridgwater totalled 244 after choosing to bat first, with openers Merv Halloran (57) and Robbie Montgomery (49) giving them a solid foundation.
Number ten Cameron Williams scored 41 off 24 balls to boost his side's tally after Ashur Morrison (3-16), Tom Foley (2-31), Joe King (2-42) and Jon Parker (2-47) all struck for the hosts
Toby Davies (30) and Coles shared a 100-run partnership for the first wicket before the latter and Steve Bullen (28no) took Corsham over the winning line in the 39th over.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
