Bristol (17) 37
Tries:
Arscott, Fatialofa, Sambucetti, Robinson, Thomas
Con:
Barnes
Drop-goals:
Arscott
Worcester (7) 18
Tries:
Rasmussen, Horstmann
Con:
Walker
Pens:
Walker 2
 Arscott's try set Bristol on their way to victory at the Memorial Ground
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Bristol staved off the threat of relegation from the Premiership with a superb win over fellow strugglers Worcester at the Memorial Ground.
The home side blitzed the first half as Tom Arscott, Junior Fatialofa and Mariano Sambucetti all went over to help them to a 17-7 lead at the break.
Worcester hit back after the interval to reduce the deficit to two points.
However, Arscott added a drop-goal before three further Bristol tries wrapped up a bonus-points win.
With three games remaining of the season, Bristol now trail Sunday's opponents by nine points, although Worcester still have a game in hand over the relegation rivals.
Defeat at the Memorial ground would have all but sent Bristol down and they started the match in determined fashion, Arscott crashing over after just 10 minutes.
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606: DEBATE
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That set the tone for the remainder of the first half as they cruised into a 17-0 lead before Dale Rasmussen scored on the stroke of half-time to inspire a Worcester fightback.
Willie Walker added a penalty three minutes after the interval and, after Kai Rasmussen scored a second Worcester try to make it 17-15, it looked as though the visitors would overrun their hosts.
It was not to be, however, as Bristol showed superb spirit to pull clear once again.
Arscott's drop-goal gave them some breathing space and sparked another spell of pressure that saw Lee Robinson go over after a crisp passing move.
Haydn Thomas added a fifth try and Robinson completed the scoring after Walker added a second penalty for Worcester.
Bristol head coach Paul Hull:
"We've had some improved performances lately and not actually finished it off and it was pleasing we played for 80 minutes today, not 45 or 50.
"We just want to keep improving on our game-plan and we are doing that. You get your rewards if you keep improving.
"The only way we can get out of this hole is by carrying on playing with confidence. London Irish away will be tough opposition next Saturday but we will take it as it comes."
Worcester head coach Mike Ruddock:
"When we came back from 17 points down to 17-15 behind we looked in control and we looked confident. I would have expected us to go on and nail the game from that position but the fact we didn't is a big worry for us.
"We made some schoolboy errors and we dropped our heads in the last 10 or 15 minutes, which concerns me.
"I have let them (the players) know how unacceptable that performance was but we've got to try and pick ourselves up and dust ourselves down, but the situation remains in our hands."
Bristol: T. Arscott, Robinson, N. Brew, Fatialofa, Lemi, Barnes, Perry, Irish, Linklater, Crompton, Sambucetti, Sidoli, R. Pennycook, El Abd, Ward-Smith.
Replacements:
Eves for N. Brew (58), L. Arscott for Fatialofa (69), Thomas for Perry (19), Thompson for Crompton (73), Winters for Sambucetti (58), To'oala for R. Pennycook (67).
Not Used: Hayes.
Worcester: Walker, Garvey, Grove, Rasmussen, Benjamin, Jones, R. Powell, Mullan, Fortey, Morris, Rawlinson, Bowley, T. Wood, Sanderson, Horstmann.
Replacements: Luscombe for Grove (67), Crichton for Jones (58), Arr for R. Powell (67), Black for Mullan (64), Lutui for Fortey (41), Gillies for Bowley (65), Cox for T. Wood (72).
Att: 5,403
Ref: W Barnes (RFU).
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