FIGHTING to stay in the Premiership doesn’t get any easier, admits Worcester Warriors stalwart Chris Pennell.

The long-serving ace has suffered the highs and lows of battles to remain in the top tier of English rugby and says it gets worse every time.

Even Worcester-born Pennell, who has played 176 first-team matches for Warriors, was engrossed in Bristol’s heart-stopping match at high-flying Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

Bristol looked like sealing a shock five-point win until Thomas Waldrom’s try three minutes from time broke their hearts in a 38-34 defeat.

The visitors picked up two points and trail Warriors by eight with three rounds left.

“Teams are dangerous when fighting for their lives. We’ve been in that situation so many times with two or three games to go and have come out on top,” said Pennell.

“Whether Exeter weren’t at the races it doesn’t really matter. Bristol are scrapping for their lives and it makes them very dangerous.

“I was keeping a close eye on the game. I try to stay away from rugby where possible but that was tough last weekend. Bristol threw everything at Exeter and came incredibly close.

“Pundits will probably write off Bristol for their next two games which adds fuel to the fire. It’s still very much in our hands. If we do a job against Bath this weekend it will go a long way to mathematically sorting us out.”

Warriors struck a crucial blow in the relegation battle last month when they thumped Bristol 41-24.

They will hope to repeat that intensity against Bath at Sixways tomorrow (3pm).

“The Bristol match was our fighting-for-our-lives moment when it was clear cut,” said Pennell.

“It can be difficult to get to that level every week. The pressure is different now and this is about where we want to be as a group and our intentions going forward.

“For some of us it’s a new pressure and other guys are having to put their hands up for the rest of the season to help drive the situation.

“Being in a relegation battle gets worse every time. It’s not where anyone wants to be and it’s unfortunate things have played out the way they have this season.

“I certainly don’t want to be in this position again going forwards. I will be doing everything I can to make sure that’s the case.”