BATH boss Todd Blackadder believes his team still have "a glimmer of hope" to secure prized European Champions Cup qualification for next season.

Bath swept aside west country rivals and Aviva Premiership opponents Gloucester 43-20 at Kingsholm.

And while they still need other results to work in their favour, Bath have at least given themselves a fighting chance to salvage a top-six finish from an erratic campaign.

"A lot of hard work went into that from everyone," rugby director Blackadder said. "It just showed when the mindset is right what a difference it can make.

"We wanted to make a quick start. Something we hadn't done very well was stamp our mark on games early and then stay on it.

"It has been a tough month, but this shows what we can do. Our challenge is to be consistent.

"I thought we capitalised on the back of some outstanding defence. We took our opportunities when we got the ball, and we made some little tactical adjustments, which I thought paid dividends.

"We put ourselves under a lot of pressure this week to perform. We knew what was on the line in a west country derby.

"This club badly needed it and our supporters badly needed it. We have still got a glimmer of hope, so let's see what we can do if we perform again next week."

A bonus point victory kept Bath on course for the top six - they host relegated London Irish next weekend - after first-half tries from hooker Tom Dunn, fly-half Rhys Priestland, wing Aled Brew and full-back Tom Homer's spectacular solo effort left Gloucester reeling.

Priestland kicked four conversions and a penalty for a 16-point haul, while substitute wing Cooper Vuna claimed a fifth Bath try after Gloucester briefly threatened a fightback, then centre James Wilson's score, converted by Freddie Burns, confirmed an emphatic success.

Gloucester, European Challenge Cup finalists next month, saw their lingering play-off hopes disappear as a result after lock Ed Slater and full-back Jason Woodward claimed touchdowns and 10 points from Billy Twelvetrees' boot left them well short.

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann said: "Every time we built up something, we made a mistake. You have to credit Bath with the way they started and used every opportunity.

"Today was a disappointment. We have been quite competitive in the whole campaign at home, and we didn't foresee the manner in which we lost today. We will address that.

"When teams come here, they must fight much harder to get the victory. We can't drop our standards.

"We definitely let our supporters down. We had an opportunity to end well in front of our home crowd.

"The inconsistency we have to address, and in pressure games like today, handle that better.

"I am happy with a lot of growth in the team. There are a lot of positive signs, but at the end of the day, you can't drop your standards. We will keep on fighting until we get there."