Bath Rugby came out victorious on their third European Rugby Challenge Cup final appearance in a six-year period, overcoming Worcester Warriors 26-16 in a convincing performance.

Bath reached final of the competition for the first time in 2003, but fell to defeat at the hands of Wasps, before being edged out by ASM Clermont Auvergne in the showpiece game in 2007.

Those two gut-wrenching losses bookended defeats in domestic finals in 2004 and 2005, but Bath finally ended their last-two hoodoo with an assured display at Kingsholm Stadium in 2008.

An Olly Barkley penalty and tries from Jonny Fa'amatuainu and Nick Abendanon in a four-minute blitz before half-time put Bath in control, while Worcester had six points on the board from the boot of Shane Drahm.

Another Drahm place-kick reduced the deficit after the break as Worcester threatened to recover, but Bath’s defence held firm before Barkley nudged his second penalty of the final and slotted a drop goal to open up a healthy gap.

Butch James’ penalty all but confirmed Bath’s victory on 75 minutes, with Thinus Delport's try for Worcester in the final moments was merely a consolation.

Bath skipper Steve Borthwick – now head coach of Leicester Tigers, who he guided to this season's Challenge Cup final – put in a monumental performance on what was his final game for the club after 10 years.

Worcester are yet to reach another European final since 2008, while Bath were beaten by Northampton Saints in the 2014 showdown at Cardiff Arms Park.

Bath went close once again this season, reaching the semi-final stage before exiting to eventual winners Montpellier, who edged home in a 18-17 win over Borthwick’s Leicester at Twickenham Stadium on Friday.

2008 – Bath Rugby 26 Worcester Warriors 16