In one of the most entertaining games of the year, Glasgow Warriors pushed Bath all the way in the setting of their historic stadium, The Rec, with a performance that saw them register five tries earning them two bonus points (one for the try haul and the second for finishing within seven points of the winners).

With scores from Ruaridh Jackson, Hefin O’Hare and a hat-trick from Thom Evans, a blend of disappointment and optimism surrounded the squad as they left the field.

Glasgow fought back from 35-19 down to come within a score of a notable scalp. The Warriors now have an opportunity to build on that performance and reverse the final result when Bath visit Firhill next weekend (Sunday 14 December, kick-off 2pm).

World Cup winning stand-off, Butch James, tried to catch Glasgow off guard with his kick-off, sending it towards the backs instead of the forwards. Jackson, on his first ever start for the Warriors at stand-off, responded well as he collected and cleared deep into Bath’s half.

It was indeed Glasgow who were first to touch down, Max Evans chipping through on the left hand side and bounced through numerous tackles before being brought to deck beneath the posts. His younger brother, Thom, then received quick ball from Colin Gregor and stepped inside to score the opening try. Gregor converted.

Glasgow continued to apply due pressure throughout the first quarter, but Bath crept back into the game courtesy of a Butch James penalty after 16 minutes. The penalty was awarded for a high tackle, which seemed unavoidable given the height at which the Bath attacker entered contact.

Bath put Glasgow under real pressure, but their defence stood firm and eventually, the Warriors were back in Bath’s half.

With little on outside him, Jackson chipped over the head of his opposite man and gave chase. A poor pass to Dougie Hall was collected off the floor and the ball was worked through the hands of Andrew Henderson before reaching Thom Evans on the left wing where he was bundled into touch.

Bath’s response was a break up midfield, where they found themselves clean through to the line. However, Max Evans tracked back and got a boot to the ball, touching down for a five metre scrum.

The resultant drive from the Bath pack saw them over the line where flanker Andy Beattie touched down. James was unable to add the extras.

Glasgow bounced back immediately and yet more creative play from Jackson soaked up the Bath defence out right to make way for Thom Evans to touch down on the left hand side to claim his – and Glasgow’s – second score. Gregor converted.

Shortly before the break, James slotted a penalty to keep Bath within a score.

Half-time score: Bath 11 - 14 Glasgow Warriors

Bath began the second period more sprightly than they had the first with winger Michael Stephenson bundling over at the right corner after only four minutes. James added the conversion from the left touchline.

James stretched Bath’s new lead moments later as Glasgow were penalised for using their hands in the ruck.

But it was Thom Evans’ lightning pace which once again proved the bain of Bath’s afternoon. Andrew Henderson sent a neat chip through the defence and Evans put his opposite number, Stephenson, under pressure which forced him to fumble the ball. All he had left to do was pick up and touch down, which he did. Gregor hit the right post with his conversion attempt.

During Glasgow’s next attempt to threaten the Bath line, Gregor used his sevens experience to pounce on an opportunity to bring an end to some scrappy play and go for a drop goal. He hit the crossbar with his attempt.

Bath then surged up-field in numbers, persistently battering their way towards Glasgow’s line. Winger Michael Stephenson made up for his earlier fumble with a try in the right hand corner after 58 minutes.

Then, with Glasgow’s defence scrambled, substitute Shaun Berne was next to cross the whitewash, with a try at the other corner from Bath’s last. James converted.

Glasgow refused to lie down and fought back in the final ten minutes with a try from Hefin O’Hare to earn them the bonus point. Jackson then capped off a memorable debut stand-off performance with an interception try. He slotted a drop goal conversion to bring the deficit to only four points. However, yet another score so late in the game eluded the visitors.

Man of the Match: Thom Evans (Glasgow Warriors)

Bath: Nick Abendanon; Michael Stephenson, Tom Cheeseman, Eloita Fuimaono-Sapolu, Matt Banahan; Butch James, Michael Claassens; David Flatman, Pieter Dixon, Matt Stevens, Stuart Hooper, Peter Short, Andy Beattie, Michael Lipman, Daniel Browne
Substitutes: Lee Mears, Aaron Jarvis, Justin Harrison, Jonny Faamatuainu, Scott Bemand, Shaun Berne, Andrew Higgins

Glasgow Warriors: Bernardo Stortoni; Lome Fa’atau, Max Evans, Andrew Henderson, Thom Evans; Ruaridh Jackson, Colin Gregor; Kevin Tkachuk, Dougie Hall, Ed Kalman, Tim  Barker, Alastair Kellock CAPTAIN, Kelly Brown John Barclay, Johnnie Beattie
Subnstitutes: Moray Low for Kalman (half-time) for Tkachuk (69 mins), Dan Turner for Kellock and Sam Pinder for Gregor (both 59 mins), Eric Milligan for Hall and Richie Vernon for Beattie (both 64 mins), Hefin O’Hare for T Evans (66 mins), Jose Nunez Piossek for Fa’atau (74 mins)