LONDON - London Welsh's relegation from the English Premiership was finally confirmed on Sunday as they lost 29-14 at home to Bath.
Bath's players take part in a scrum on January 18, 2015, in Toulouse, southern France
It was the Exiles' 18th straight defeat in a dismal season that has seen them pick up just a single point -- from a try bonus in the corresponding Bath fixture.
It was actually one of Welsh's better performances this season but they still came up short at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford against a Bath side that had rested their England players.
In very difficult conditions, Bath managed five tries through Rob Webber, Leroy Houston (two), Sam Burgess and Alafoti Fa'osiliva with Tom Homer kicking two conversions.
Nic Reynolds and Opeti Fonua scored tries for Welsh, with Tristan Roberts and Will Robinson adding conversions.
It was Rowland Phillips's first match in charge of Welsh after the departure of Justin Burnell and he made six changes from their last league line-up, with captain Tom May and full back Seb Jewell returning to the back division.
"We had a lot of positives today and we will be looking to build on that performance," said Phillips. "The club is too proud just to switch off and accept defeat.
"There is always speculation and rumour at this time of the season, but the key thing is that you learn your lessons. We know we are relegated but our ambition to come back is greater than ever."
Despite playing with a strong wind behind them, Welsh could not break out of their half and a driving line-out saw Webber score the opening try after 12 minutes.
A line-out on the Welsh 22 went astray and this allowed Houston to charge away for the second try.
Back came Welsh to score their first try; they declined a simple kickable penalty and were rewarded when Reynolds forced his way over for Roberts to convert.
Bath led 10-7 at the break but extended their lead on 47 minutes, when Burgess crossed for Homer to convert.
After a period of intense pressure, Houston burst over from a set scrum for the bonus-point try but Homer couldn't add the conversion.
Moments later, replacement Matt Garvey burst away to send Fa'osiliva in for the fifth.
Fonua battled over from close range as Welsh had the final say.
Danny Cipriani returned from England duty to help steer Sale Sharks to within one point of the Premiership top six following a 23-6 triumph over Gloucester.
Johnny Leota's try and five points from Cipriani gave Sale a 10-6 advantage at the break.
James Hook provided the Cherry and Whites' response in the first half with two penalties, but they could not build on that in the second period as the Sharks dominated the third quarter.
The Red Rose pivot added two more three-pointers and converted Josh Beaumont's touchdown as they kept themselves in play-off contention and probably ended Gloucester's chances of reaching next season's European Champions Cup.