A sensational second-half performance ensured Warriors claimed maximum points in their first Anglo-Welsh Cup game of the season on a bitterly cold night at Sixways.
The sides went toe-to-toe in the opening period as Josh Adams and Max Stelling touched down for the hosts – but Bristol went in ahead at the break courtesy of a Giorgi Nemsadze effort and eight points from the boot of Billy Searle.
But Warriors turned it on after the break as Adams and Stelling both went over for their second, while scrum-half Michael Dowsett danced his way to the line for a debut try.
Warriors found themselves 31-13 ahead with 15 minutes to go before Bristol launched a comeback.
Jack Wallace and Tom Varndell went over for quickfire scores to reduce their deficit to just six points and set-up a nervy finale.
Bristol launched one final attack moments before the end but Warriors hung on for the victory.
Simon Cross, who was given the task of overseeing the side in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, named a string of youngsters in the starting line-up alongside experienced campaigners including Chris Pennell, Dewald Potgieter and Jackson Willison.
And Warriors took the lead after six minutes as former Wales Under 20s star Adams picked up a loose ball, before showing blistering pace to race over the tryline.
Jamie Shillcock struck the post with his conversion attempt but then made a last-ditch tackle on Varndell to prevent a certain try from the subsequent restart.
Bristol pressed forward and pinned Warriors back on their own tryline as they looked to get off the mark.
And the visitors drew level as Nemsadze found a gap in the Warriors defence before making his way to the tryline.
Billy Searle converted to give Bristol a 7-5 lead as the away side enjoyed a spell of dominance
Shillcock was looking to put Warriors into good territory with the boot but his opposite number was getting chances to kick at goal – and Searle put his side eight points ahead with two penalties.
The game started to come alive under the Friday night lights and the hosts soon found themselves camped inside the Bristol 22.
Warriors switched the ball across the backline as they made their way forward but a solid defensive effort from Bristol meant that Cross’ side were struggling to find a way through.
But the hosts eventually did get their second of the evening after turning the ball over in their own 22.
Warriors regained possession before Shillcock hauled a pass out to the left. Adams raced down the touchline before teeing-up Stelling, who cruised to the tryline to ensure Warriors turned around only three points behind.
The hosts started the second-half on top as Pennell and Willison both found gaps in the away defence to race forward.
Shillcock again caused danger as he looked to get Warriors moving forward and the crowd soon had a third home try to cheer.
Willison kicked a grubber into the corner, before Pennell picked up possession and offloaded to Adams, who finished well for his second.
The hosts were now very much in the ascendancy and were able to extend their lead when the visitors were reduced to 13 men.
And it was the clever Dowsett who got his name on the scoresheet as he skipped through a melee of Bristol players before diving over.
Warriors had completely dominated their opponents in the second period and had barely been called upon to defend.
And Stelling grabbed his second of the evening after claiming his own kick down the left. Shillcock converted to put Warriors 31-13 ahead with 15 minutes remaining.
The full-back then showed his defensive capabilities once again as he raced 40 metres to bring down Luke Arscott with another last-ditch tackle.
But it wasn’t enough to stop the try as Bristol recycled the ball before Wallace forced his way over the line. And suddenly Bristol were back in the game.
The visitors began to push forward and Varndell rolled back the years to race away from the Warriors defence and slide over in the corner to put Bristol within one score of taking the lead.
Bristol looked to stun the hosts with a late turnaround but the Warriors defence stood up and ensured the points stayed at Sixways.
Warriors| 15 Chris Pennell (C), 14 Andy Short, 13 Max Stelling, 12 Jackson Willison (Heathcote 69), 11 Josh Adams, 10 Jamie Shillcock, 9 Michael Dowsett (De Cothi 61), 1 Na’ama Leleimalefaga (Bower 55), 2 Jack Singleton (Annett 61), 3 James Johnston (Alo 40), 4 Andrew Kitchener, 5 Charlie Hewitt (Clegg 76), 6 Huw Taylor, 7 Dewald Potgieter (Fowles 19-33), 8 Matt Cox
Replacements|16 Niall Annett, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Biyi Alo, 19 Justin Clegg, 20 Ben Fowles, 21 George de Cothi, 22 Tom Heathcote, 23 Afeafe Haisila Lokotui
Timeline
6m | Adams try 5-0
13m | Nemsadze try 5-5
14m | Searle con 5-7
21m | Searle pen 5-10
25m | Searle pen 5-13
40m | Stelling try 10-13
45m | Adams try 15-13
46m | Shillcock con 17-13
54m | Dowsett try 22-13
55m | Shillcock con 24-13
64m | Stelling try 29-13
65m | Shillcock con 31-13
68m | Wallace try 31-18
69m | Searle con 31-20
73m | Varndell try 31-25