Bath gained revenge for the opening round defeat to Bourgoin after holding out for a 23-17 victory at Stade Pierre Rajon.

Michael Lipman and Rob Fidler scored the crucial tries as John Connolly’s injury-ravaged side rounded off a disappointing Heineken Cup campaign with victory in France.

Quarter-final qualification was beyond both sides but that did not stop both teams looking to salvage some pride.

Injury-ravaged Bath were forced to use flanker Michael Lipman on the wing.

Yet the selection proved to be an inspired one by coach John Connolly as the big forward showed rare pace from Chris Malone’s pass to score the game’s opening try on 12 minutes.

Ollie Barkley completed the conversion and added two penalties while Bourgoin’s only response was Alexandre Peclier’s early drop goal as Bath opened a 16-3 half-time lead.

David Janin’s 47th-minute try sparked a Bourgoin comeback and though Rob Fidler was driven over from a Bath lineout, David Venditti slipped through to set up a nail-biting climax.
But even after being reduced to 14 men for the final four minutes – through David Barnes’ yellow card – Bath dug deep to finish on a high.