Failure has become a formality for London Welsh and relegation became a reality after they suffered their 18th consecutive Aviva Premiership defeat in a dire meeting with Bath . This was more ‘ Sloppy Sunday ’ than ‘ Super Saturday ’ as torrential weather conditions dictated an arm wrestle that confirmed the end of the Exiles ’ short-lived spell back in the top flight . For Welsh coach Rowland Phillips , on his first game in charge since taking over from Justin Burnell , it spelt the beginning of a long and painful rebuilding process to get the Oxford-based franchise back to where they want to be . ‘ We have to learn our lessons , ’ said Phillips . ‘ There is honest ambition throughout the club and the mindset has to be about improving . We will have one eye on next season . London Welsh 's relegation from the Aviva Premiership was confirmed following their defeat by Bath . Opeti Fonua ( centre ) scores a try for London Welsh during his side 's 29-14 loss against Bath . Alan Awcock tackles Semesa Rokoduguni during the Aviva Premiership match at Kassam Stadium . ‘ People could say “ that ’ s it ” and wind down for the rest of the season but we ’ re too proud to switch off and wait for the summer holidays. ’ The Exiles have a 653-point deficit going into the final four games of the season but this was one of their narrower defeats against a Bath side that will need to improve exponentially if they are going to challenge Leinster in this Saturday ’ s Champions Cup quarter-final . ‘ The conditions were terrible , ’ said Bath director of rugby Mike Ford . ‘ We ’ ll put that game in the bin and next week will be a different spectacle. ’ Running into torrential wind and rain in the first half , Bath scored twice inside 23 minutes through Rob Webber and Leroy Houston . Micky Young of Bath holds the ball as Tom Honer of Bath kicks a conversion in windy condition . Nick Auterac of Bath is tackled by Lachlan McCaffrey as he attempts to make his way up the field . The visitors had rested their England quartet — George Ford , Jonathan Joseph , Anthony Watson and Dave Attwood — and their qualities were missed as Welsh edged back through Nic Reyonlds . They were urged on by a meagre home crowd but hopes of a comeback were dented when Nathan Trevett was sin-binned . With the biblical conditions subsiding , Bath extended their lead when Sam Burgess — who Ford revealed will be involved on Saturday — broke through two defenders . The floodgates soon opened . Houston forced his way over off the back of a scrum and , three minutes later , Alafoti Faosiliva darted through after Carl Fearns intercepted a loose pass . The Exiles ’ giant No 8 Opeti Fonua , bound for Leicester next season , crashed over for a late try but the damage was long done .
London Welsh 's fate was sealed following defeat by Bath . The Exiles lost their 18th straight match despite impressing against Bath . Bath led 29-7 at the interval before going on to win 10-14 .