ROSS Batty scored a try in either half as Bath swept aside European Challenge Cup rivals Cardiff Blues 38-3 at the Recreation Ground to move level on points with the Welsh side at the top of Pool Four.

Hooker Batty touched down to open the scoring for Bath at the end of a flowing move midway through the first half and raced clear from halfway after intercepting a wayward pass to put the hosts out of sight with 16 minutes left.

Cardiff played most of the second half with 14 men after lock George Earle was shown a straight red card for allegedly eye gouging in a maul.

The Welsh side had already had hooker Kirby Myhill sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Bath second row Dave Attwood two minutes earlier and were down to 13 men for a 10-minute spell.

Bath moved level on points with leaders Cardiff, who stay top courtesy of points scored.

The English side scored four more tries in the second period to clinch the crucial bonus point, with Jack Wilson and fellow winger Aled Brew racing over, before Batty's second, while a fifth touch down from second row Elliott Stooke sealed a comprehensive victory.

England fly-half George Ford added four conversions and a penalty and full-back Tom Homer also converted, while Cardiff's only points came from the boot of Steven Shingler in the early stages.