RICH Lane scored a hat-trick of tries as Bath thrashed Rugby Mogliano 55-8 in a bonus point victory that ensures they remain three points clear of Dragons at the top of Pool 2 in the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Aside from Lane's efforts, Bath notched six other tries through Dominic Day (two), Carl Fearns, Kyle Eastmond, replacement Tom Biggs and a penalty try, with Tom Heathcote notching the rest of the points with five conversions.

The visitors got off to a flying start in Italy when, after five minutes, Day scored the opening try and Heathcote knocked over the conversion.

After that Mogliano managed to keep Bath at bay until midway through the first half but Fearns added another try, with Heathcote again converting.

The hosts managed to put some points on the board with with a penalty but then two tries in the space of six minutes from Lane, one converted by Heathcote, gave Bath a healthy 26-3 lead at the break.

Mogliano drew first blood after the break when Andrea Ceccato went over for a try but Nicolo Fadalti missed the conversion and Bath soon got another score themselves through Eastmond to move further in front.

A penalty try converted by Heathcote made it 38-8 with 14 minutes to play before Biggs grabbed another and Lane got his hat-trick.

Heathcote converted Lane's effort to bring up the 50 for his side before Day completed a fine day for Bath with a try in the final minute, although Heathcote was unable to add the extras on that occasion.

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