Sam Burgess starred for Bath as Mike Ford's men moved within one point of Aviva Premiership leaders Northampton with a five-try hammering of London Irish at the Rec. Burgess, playing only his second game at blindside flanker, claimed the man-of-the-match award and was among the try-scorers along with Leroy Houston, Jonathan Joseph, Matt Banahan and Semesa Rokoduguni. The Exiles were ahead at half-time thanks to Tom Court's try, but Bath were in imperious form in the second period and coasted to victory - Blair Cowan scored a late consolation for the visitors. Bath flanker Sam Burgess is tackled by Exiles winger Alex Lewington (left) and Tom Court . London Irish loosehead Tom Court burrows over for a try late in the first half . Bath No 8 Leroy Houston powers  over from close range following a strong scrum from the home side . Ford fired the home side into an early lead with a third minute peanlty after Exiles No 8 Tom Guest infringed at the breakdown. Bath began the match a furious pace and soon had the second kickable penalty of the night with Ford making no mistake from the tee four minutes later. Chris Noakes registered the first points of the night for the visitors in the 16th minute following a powerful Exiles scrum. Ford added two more penalties to give Bath a comfortable 12-3 lead after 30 minutes of play. Noakes clawed back three points with a second penalty and the former Auckland Blues No 10 almost scored the first try of contest when he intercepted Houston's pass to sprint clear. Anthony Watson had other ideas, however, as the England flyer showed great pace to get back and bring down the Exiles playmaker. Bath winger Matt Banahan glides over for another five-pointer during a dominate second-half . The Exiles were not be denied before the break as ex-Ulster prop Court burrowed over from close range after great work from Guest and Topsy Ojo in the build-up. Noakes knocked over the conversion to give his side a 13-12 lead heading into the break. It took Bath just six minutes of the second half to get their act together, however, as Houston peeled off an untidy scrum to touch down, with Ford adding the conversion. Five minutes later, Joseph raced away to score from his own chip and collect after deft work by Houston and Francois Louw. Ford converted again to give Bath a 26-13 lead. Bath lock Dave Attwood celebrates Burgess's bonus point-clinching try at the Rec . The third Bath try followed almost immediately as replacement lock Matt Garvey made a storming run into the visitors 22. From the ensuing ruck, the ball was moved swiftly to Kyle Eastmond whose long pass gave Banahan an easy route to the corner. This time Ford was wide with the conversion but the bonus point was wrapped up on the hour mark as Burgess touched down following a powerful driving maul from the home pack. Rokoduguni completed the rout in the 72nd minute with an easy finish in the corner. Scotland flanker Cowan barged his way over in the dying minutes but it was merely a consolation for Glenn Delaney's side. Fly half George Ford was in sparking form for the West Country outfit against the Exiles .
Bath scored tries through Leroy Houston, Jonathan Joseph, Matt Banahan, Sam Burgess and Semesi Rokoduguni . Fly half George Ford added 18 points from the boot . The Exiles replied with tries from Tom Court and Blair Cowan .