Leeds: (3) 10
Try: Biggs
Con: Di Bernardo
Pens: Di Bernardo

Wing Matthew Banahan claimed a hat-trick of tries in a straightforward thrashing of Leeds at the Rec that took Bath top of the league.

Banahan scored once in the first half and was joined on the scoresheet by Michael Claassens in the second.

Olly Barkley, who nudged a kick through for Nick Abendanon for the fifth try on the final whistle, converted all five tries and added two penalties.

Tom Biggs saved face for Leeds with an opportunist effort after 69 minutes.

Leeds, second from bottom of the Premiership and already with the worst defensive record in the league, stuck to their task but were ultimately hampered by a scarcity of possession.

The visitors were on the back foot after just 38 seconds as Banahan crashed over in the right corner when Leeds lost the ball from the kick-off.

Barkley landed the conversion and added a 30m penalty to put his side 10-0 up inside 10 minutes.

Leeds refused to buckle and Bath were limited to a second Barkley penalty on the half hour, answered soon after by Alberto Di Bernardo for 13-3 at half-time.

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But Banahan struck again at the beginning of second half as Leeds spilled the ball and Barkley and Abendanon launched a successful counter.

Bath went further ahead through Claassens when they ran back a Di Bernardo penalty attempt from inside his own half.

Banahan bagged his third soon after, again from long range before Biggs grabbed a consolation.

But Bath sealed an impressive win when Barkley launched Abendanon to score at the death.