Bath collected a welcome 30-24 bonus-point win to climb away from the Aviva Premiership relegation zone - but had to endure a a few sticky moments as bottom club Newcastle showed they are still full of fight.

The Falcons led 14-8 at half-time before Bath pulled away with tries by Olly Woodburn - his second of the game - a penalty try and another from Samoan prop Anthony Perenise.

Young fly-half Tom Heathcote celebrated his 20th birthday with two conversions and a penalty and had a hand in three of the tries, while Olly Barkley scored the rest of Bath's points.

Mark Wilson and Rob Vickers scored a first-half try apiece for the away side and a late Will Chudley try, converted by Jimmy Gopperth - who ended the match with nice points - ensured Newcastle also took a bonus point.