BATH & Wiltshire Romans started slowly in their last West of England Premier League fixture of the season before going down 32-28 to Bristol Sonics.

Sonics started the brighter, hooker Jack Wren causing no end of problems from acting half-back and scoring one of their three first-half tries.

The Romans fought back as full back Jimmy Godfrey created the overlap with stand-in wing Nick Parks for the former to go over for the ir first try.

The second Romans try was another created down the flanks with wing Matty James going over out wide and they had time before the end of the first half to capitalise on a Sonics handing error, prop Olly Spence picking up and racing almost the length of the field to score under the posts. Huw Parks converted the first Romans try.

In the second half Wren was again lively for the Sonics and went in for the first try of the half which levelled the scores up at 18-18.

Romans stand-off Paul Riley did a quick ‘show and go’ to fool the Sonics defence to go over from 15 yards out which was duly converted to put the Romans back 24-18 up.

The Sonics came back into the game with two unconverted tries to get back into the lead at 28-24 up.

There was still time for the Romans to draw level with new signing from Swindon St. George, centre Bruce Vuetantotoka, going over out wide.

However the conversion was missed and the Sonics had the last word with an unconverted try.

The Romans now have two weeks off before the Grand Final at their own Leafy Lane home on Sunday, August 23.

Sonics play Somerset Vikings next weekend to determine their opponents.