Bath posted only a third Aviva Premiership win of the season – and their first for seven weeks – by edging out Recreation Ground visitors Worcester 21-14.

First-half tries by centre Ollie Devoto and wing Horacio Agulla underpinned Bath’s success, although Worcester proved predictably dogged opponents during an often dour struggle.

Wales international fly-half Rhys Priestland kicked three penalties and a conversion, while Worcester replied through a Cooper Vuna try, plus two penalties from former Bath No 10 Tom Heathcote and a long-range Ryan Mills strike.

Jonathan Joseph (centre) congratulates Horacio Agulla (11) after he scored Bath’s second try on Sunday

Worcester’s Niall Annett and Bath’s first try-scorer Ollie Devoto front up to each other at The Rec

Priestland, who was handed a rare start instead of England fly-half George Ford since his move from the Scarlets earlier this year, drove Bath to victory by cleverly mixing his running and kicking game.

He was the one player on show consistently capable of making right decisions under pressure.

And it was just what Bath required ahead of next weekend’s trip to Newcastle, which is followed by European Champions Cup games against Toulon, either side of meeting Leinster in Dublin, before visiting Premiership leaders Saracens on January 30.

Life will not get easier for Bath any time soon, given the demanding fixture schedule that lies ahead, but they at least collected some overdue Premiership points, despite never remotely hitting top gear.

Bath showed several changes from the side crushed 36-10 by Champions Cup opponents Wasps eight days ago – the club’s heaviest European home defeat – as they looked to ignite a Premiership campaign that had barely flickered.

Cooper Vuna crosses for the Warriors only try in their narrow Aviva Premiership defeat by Bath 

Wales international Rhys Priestland kicks one of his three penalties – plus a conversion – in Bath’s victory

And the early signs were promising, with Bath claiming an opening 10th-minute try after setting up camp inside Worcester’s 22, and patient approach work resulted in Devoto touching down.

Priestland’s conversion made it 7-0, and after he exchanged penalties with Heathcote, Warriors were forced into a change when lock Darren Barry limped off to be replaced by former Ireland international Donncha O’Callaghan.

Mills then struck a superb long-range penalty to cut the gap to four points, which gave Worcester a chance to build, and they delivered with an impressive try eight minutes before half-time.

Bath were undone on on the blindside of a scrum, and slick passing sent Vuna clear for a try that Heathcote narrowly failed to convert.

Picturesque scenes at The Rec as referee Thomas Foley awards a penalty during the tight contest

The alarm bells were sounding for Bath, and they needed to respond before the break, given Worcester’s noticeable rise in confidence. But they had enough in the tank to grind out an interval advantage.

A belated spell of possession ensued deep inside Worcester’s half, and when the ball found its way to Agulla, the Argentina international finished brilliantly under pressure as space rapidly ran out.

Referee Tom Foley awarded the try following confirmation from television match official Stuart Terheege, and Bath trooped off at the interval 15-11 ahead.

Priestland and Heathcote each kicked penalties early in the second period, and there was much more urgency after the break as Bath increased the tempo up-front.

Worcester remained firmly in contention, but Priestland completed his penalty hat-trick 12 minutes from time, and Bath were home and dry against a Warriors outfit that offered plenty of commitment, but too little attacking creativity.