Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
|
Post by Bridgeman on Jun 7, 2014 20:10:38 GMT
The night of the long knives, eh? But seriously it's not as bad as it first appears, what it all boils down to is . . . Players departing Bristol: George Watkins, Adam Hughes, Tristan Roberts, Redford Pennycook, Callum Braley, James Grindal, Mariano Sambucetti (retired), James Merriman (retired), Bryan Rennie, Fautua Otto, Will Davis, Sammy Speight, Ollie Hayes, Steve Uren, Bruce Douglas, Adam D’Arcy, Stuart McInally (returns to parent club), Ruki Tipuna, Iain Grieve, Rupert Freestone, Errie Claassens. Players retained by Bristol: Charlie Amesbury, Luke Baldwin, Nick Carpenter, Gaston Cortes, Mitch Eadie, Ryan Edwards, Luke Eves, Ellis Genge, Ben Glynn, James Hall, Jason Hobson, Jack Hughes, Adrian Jarvis, Ross Johnston, Joe Joyce, Rhys Lawrence, Mark Lilley, Marco Mama, Ben Mosses, Nicky Robinson, Andy Short, Ben Skirving, Auguy Slowik, Mark Sorenson, Jack Tovey, Glen Townson, Kyle Traynor, Jack Wallace. New signings for next season: David Lemi (Worcester), Dwayne Peel (Sale), Anthony Perenise (Bath), Jack O’Connell (Leinster), Darren Hudson (Leinster), Max Crumpton (Harlequins), Chris Brooker (Worcester), Jack Lam (Hurricanes), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Nick Koster (Bath), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Craig Hampson (Leeds), Olly Robinson (Moseley), Mark Cooke (UWIC), Callum Sheedy (Millfield), Lucas Slowik (SGS Filton). The only ''real'' loss of course is Callum Braley, who is a real ''live'' prospect, but the majority of the rest would have been released in any event. Looking again at the new recruits, I wonder how many of them would have committed to Bristol RFC if they had known in advance that they would have been playing in the Championship next year? But I do wonder if we're to hear of any changes on the coaching staff in the near future? Wow that's some turn around of players but they did have a huge squad, 50 players I think ? I'm not entirely convinced with Robinson I mean what affinity does he have with Bristol and basically by playing the way they did all season prepared them poorly for the lottery of the play off's. Still at least at the end of the game I got the chance to go on the pitch, the first time ever since attending my first game as a 7 year old in 1960. It felt quite strange wondering around the pitch with hundreds of others. Anyway there is now a very small piece of the stadium turf (that was loose) in my back garden in South Wales Unfortunately for Bristol RFC they won't be seeing me at any of their home games in the future but I'm sure they'll survive without me.
|
|
Rex
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 3,287
|
Post by Rex on Jun 8, 2014 1:25:29 GMT
The night of the long knives, eh? But seriously it's not as bad as it first appears, what it all boils down to is . . . Players departing Bristol: George Watkins, Adam Hughes, Tristan Roberts, Redford Pennycook, Callum Braley, James Grindal, Mariano Sambucetti (retired), James Merriman (retired), Bryan Rennie, Fautua Otto, Will Davis, Sammy Speight, Ollie Hayes, Steve Uren, Bruce Douglas, Adam D’Arcy, Stuart McInally (returns to parent club), Ruki Tipuna, Iain Grieve, Rupert Freestone, Errie Claassens. Players retained by Bristol: Charlie Amesbury, Luke Baldwin, Nick Carpenter, Gaston Cortes, Mitch Eadie, Ryan Edwards, Luke Eves, Ellis Genge, Ben Glynn, James Hall, Jason Hobson, Jack Hughes, Adrian Jarvis, Ross Johnston, Joe Joyce, Rhys Lawrence, Mark Lilley, Marco Mama, Ben Mosses, Nicky Robinson, Andy Short, Ben Skirving, Auguy Slowik, Mark Sorenson, Jack Tovey, Glen Townson, Kyle Traynor, Jack Wallace. New signings for next season: David Lemi (Worcester), Dwayne Peel (Sale), Anthony Perenise (Bath), Jack O’Connell (Leinster), Darren Hudson (Leinster), Max Crumpton (Harlequins), Chris Brooker (Worcester), Jack Lam (Hurricanes), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), Nick Koster (Bath), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Matthew Morgan (Ospreys), Craig Hampson (Leeds), Olly Robinson (Moseley), Mark Cooke (UWIC), Callum Sheedy (Millfield), Lucas Slowik (SGS Filton). The only ''real'' loss of course is Callum Braley, who is a real ''live'' prospect, but the majority of the rest would have been released in any event. Looking again at the new recruits, I wonder how many of them would have committed to Bristol RFC if they had known in advance that they would have been playing in the Championship next year? But I do wonder if we're to hear of any changes on the coaching staff in the near future? I'm pretty sure George Watkins wouldn't have been relleased1 But he had already committed himself to Cardiff.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2014 11:24:45 GMT
a bristolian supporting bath ?. get a grip Look out for not support, I couldn't care less if Rugby as a sport ceased to exist. But your comment about a bristolian supporting Bath is ridiculous. If we had stayed at Twerton and had eventually changed our name to Bath Rovers would you have supported a Bath team or as a Bristolian switched your allegiance to the only club that remained in and were called Bristol? Equally if we cease to exist would you then support the remaining Bristol football team, or would you find some other team you'd more likely follow? id follow dings football id follow my lads team whoever he played for
|
|
bilko
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 22
|
Post by bilko on Jun 21, 2014 14:11:07 GMT
Dare I mention the signing of David Humphreys will be a great signing for Glos
|
|
Bridgeman
Alfie Biggs
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,549
|
Post by Bridgeman on Jun 22, 2014 13:51:23 GMT
Dare I mention the signing of David Humphreys will be a great signing for Glos No you may not , this is a thread for Brizzle. In all seriousness very good signing for Glos, particularly with Freddie Burns leaving this summer. Since news of his proposed switch to Leicester Tigers his form dipped alarmingly during the season. However, he played a brilliant first test against the All Blacks
|
|
brizzle
Lindsay Parsons
No Buy . . . No Sell!
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,293
|
Post by brizzle on Jun 24, 2014 15:38:30 GMT
I thought it a strange announcement by Bristol's coach Sean Holley, that Bristol's newest recruit (Ian Evans) would not be loaned out by the club.
Mind you, the size of the squad for a Championship club is a little heavy.
|
|
gas2
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 218
|
Post by gas2 on Jul 6, 2014 11:00:28 GMT
the money landsdown has paid for running the rugby club is only money he would have paid in u k taxes so basically its u k tax money he is thowing at it ?
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Sept 10, 2022 21:39:08 GMT
Premiership: Bristol Bears 31-29 Bath - Ellis Genge scores twice in derby victory.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/0060/production/_126669000_ellisgengetryrex.jpgEngland prop Ellis Genge scored less than two minutes into his second spell at hometown club Bristol. Ellis Genge scored two tries on his Bristol return to help his side to a late 31-29 win over rivals Bath. Genge's second-minute try was cancelled out by Ben Spencer, and Magnus Bradbury kept the hosts close as Bath's Piers Francis kicked three penalties. Luke Morahan gave the Bears a half-time lead, with Bath reserve hooker Niall Annett sent off after a post-try melee. Bath's Tom Dunn was mauled over as they went in front but Genge scored his second before Will Capon's late winner. Bath fly-half Francis saw a last-second drop-goal attempt drift just wide as new boss Johann van Graan began his tenure with a losing bonus point. England prop Genge sprinted in from 30 metres to celebrate his return to his hometown club after a summer move from Leicester before Bath skipper Spencer sold an excellent dummy to break through after 14 minutes to add to Francis' first penalty. Bath, who lost flanker Chris Cloete to an ankle problem early on, saw England prop Beno Obano helped off with a nasty-looking injury having missed most of last season with a knee problem. Bristol responded to a second Francis penalty by Bradbury going over in the corner after 27 minutes, before visiting centre Will Butt was sin-binned for holding up a 34th-minute Bristol break. With no Television Match Official on duty, Morahan controversially went over after good work by Charles Piutau to put Bristol back in front soon after, although it appeared that a Bath player had been held down by an opponent in the build-up. Summer-signing Annett, who was warming up off the field when the try was scored, was sent off and Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy sin-binned as tempers flared between the two sets of players before a third Francis penalty cut the gap between the sides to a point at half-time. Great work from Jaco Coetzee, which saw Bath's South African number eight get injured in the process, set up Dunn's mauled try 17 minutes after the break as the visitors opened up a six-point lead before a fourth Francis penalty extended the gap to nine. Dave Attwood was held up over the line as Bath went close to sealing victory, before Bristol got back into it as Genge powered in from 15 metres after a quick tap penalty before Francis kicked a fifth penalty to put Bath in front once more. In the final moments former Sale fly-half AJ MacGinty - who was making his Bristol debut after a summer move - kicked a late penalty deep into Bath territory, and from the resulting lineout the hosts' pack were too strong as Capon was carried over the line to complete a memorable comeback victory. Bristol Bears: Piutau; Morahan, O'Conor, Bedlow, Lane; Sheedy, Randall; Genge, Byrne, Sinckler, Joyce, Vui, Jeffries, Heenan (capt), Bradbury. Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Lahiff, Holmes, Lewis, Uren, MacGinty, Bates. Bath: De Glanville; Hamer-Webb, Butt, Redpath, Gallagher; Francis, B Spencer (capt); Obano, Dunn, A Coetzee, Attwood, McNally, Bayliss, Cloete, J Coetzee. Replacements: Annett, Boyce, Jonker, W Spencer, Richards, Schreuder, Bailey, De Carpentier. Referee: Tom Foley. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15F82/production/_126668998_annettredcardrex.jpgBath hooker Niall Annett (in yellow bib) was sent off before playing a single minute for his new club after a summer move from Worcester
|
|
eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,600
|
Post by eppinggas on Sept 11, 2022 8:12:30 GMT
Premiership: Bristol Bears 31-29 Bath - Ellis Genge scores twice in derby victory. 3 things. 1. Bath shouldn't even be in this league, as they finished bottom last season and should have been relegated. 2. At least Bristol "Bears" aren't playing in that revolting red kit this season. 3. I will never watch Bristol RFC play at trashcan gate. Even if they drop the "Bears". Will add to my list of boycotts.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Sept 11, 2022 10:50:07 GMT
Premiership: Bristol Bears 31-29 Bath - Ellis Genge scores twice in derby victory. 3 things. 1. Bath shouldn't even be in this league, as they finished bottom last season and should have been relegated. 2. At least Bristol "Bears" aren't playing in that revolting red kit this season. 3. I will never watch Bristol RFC play at trashcan gate. Even if they drop the "Bears". Will add to my list of boycotts. Agree with all your passionately put points, but it is always good to get a win v Bath having been in their shadow throughout the 1980's and 90's.
|
|
eppinggas
Administrator
Ian Alexander
Don't care
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 8,600
|
Post by eppinggas on Sept 12, 2022 8:26:21 GMT
3 things. 1. Bath shouldn't even be in this league, as they finished bottom last season and should have been relegated. 2. At least Bristol "Bears" aren't playing in that revolting red kit this season. 3. I will never watch Bristol RFC play at trashcan gate. Even if they drop the "Bears". Will add to my list of boycotts. Agree with all your passionately put points, but it is always good to get a win v Bath having been in their shadow throughout the 1980's and 90's. I'll never forgive Bath for stealing all Bristol's best players towards the end of the amateur era. This was when Bath were very obviously paying big money out to attract the best players. Very rarely heard my Dad swear - but he would always refer to Stuart Barnes as "that w*nker Stuart Barnes". Bath - England's first professional rugby Club - about 5 years before it was legal. So I'll never go to the Rec. It's another boycott to add to my list.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Sept 25, 2022 3:40:32 GMT
Premiership: Bristol Bears 40-36 London Irish - Bristol go top with third consecutive win.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/56A7/production/_126838122_shutterstock_editorial_13417088bb.jpgReplacement Max Lahiff scores Bristol's sixth try of the afternoon against London Irish Unbeaten Bristol went top of the Premiership with a bonus-point 40-36 win over London Irish. After Ben White gave Irish the lead, Bristol scored four unanswered first-half tries through Luke Morahan, Will Capon, Ellis Genge and Harry Randall. Henry Arundell and Paddy Jackson cut the gap to two, but Jake Heenan and Max Lahiff quickly pushed it back out. Isaac Miller and Bernhard Janse van Rensburg ensured Irish took a point, as Bristol moved top of the table. After finishing 10th last season Bristol have now won their first three matches of the new Premiership campaign for the first time since 1999.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Oct 5, 2022 14:15:42 GMT
Max Malins: England and Saracens back signs for Bristol Bears from next season.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1475/production/_126973250_shutterstock_editorial_12918601h.jpgMalins was the top try scorer in the Premiership last season with 16 England and Saracens wing and full-back Max Malins has signed for Bristol Bears from July 2023 on a two-year deal. Malins, 25, was last season's leading Premiership try scorer, with 16. He spent time on loan with the Bears during 2020 and 2021, scoring 18 tries in 19 matches as the team topped the Premiership table and won the European Challenge Cup. Malins has been capped 14 times by England since making his international debut in November 2020. "I'm delighted to have signed with the Bears. During my loan period, I was made to feel very welcome by the fans, thoroughly enjoyed my rugby and made some good friends," Malins told the club website. "I look forward to returning and hope to carry on where I left off." Malins, who also can play at fly-half or centre, joined the Saracens academy as a teenager and made his senior debut for the team in 2017. He has scored four tries for Sarries in their opening three league matches of the current campaign. "Max is already one of the top players in the Gallagher Premiership and he made a huge impact during his loan spell with us at the Bears," said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam. "We are all looking forward to welcoming him back into our team again."
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Jan 18, 2023 16:55:23 GMT
Will Porter: Harlequins agree to sign Bristol scrum-half in summer..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/145E8/production/_128323438_willporterrex1.jpgBristol scrum-half Will Porter will move to Harlequins in the summer. Porter, 24, joined the Bears earlier this season after the collapse of old club Wasps and has made five starts. The former England youth international played 58 times for Wasps before moving to Bristol in October and his signing comes after Danny Care extended his stay at the Stoop last month. "Will is a great operator who has excelled with two top Premiership sides," said Quins boss Tabai Matson. "He will add further quality depth at scrum-half for us and we're looking forward to seeing how he fits in this summer. "We feel that his skills will suit our way of playing well and it will be exciting to see what he can do within this Quins side," Matson added to the club website.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Jan 18, 2023 16:56:57 GMT
Bristol Bears given points deduction for fielding ineligible player in Challenge Cup..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1520F/production/_128334568_shutterstock_editorial_13685871bs.jpgElliott Stooke (right) joined Bristol on a short-term deal in DecemberBristol Bears have been deducted five points and given a suspended €10,000 fine by the European Professional Club Rugby for selecting an ineligible player in the European Challenge Cup. The Bears picked lock Elliott Stooke in their round 1 and 2 fixtures against Perpignan and Zebre in December. Stooke joined Bristol on 2 December on a short-term deal after leaving Wasps. EPCR rules state a player must be contracted to a club for a minimum of three months to play. Despite the five-point deduction, Bristol have still qualified for the knockout stage of the tournament. Rules also say that clubs must sign an 'additional player undertaking' to ensure the contract remains effective for the three months, to stop them playing anywhere other than the club they have registered with. An independent disciplinary committee heard that Stooke activated an early release clause in his contract with Bristol to join Montpellier in January after playing in both matches. The committee accepted that Bristol had "committed a genuine error and had not sought to gain an unfair advantage". "The committee heard that as all relevant members of Bristol Bears' staff were not aware that Stooke had an early release clause in his contract, the member of staff responsible had made an honest clerical mistake when registering him as an additional player," a statement said. Bristol have won all three of their Pool A matches in the Challenge Cup and were second in the table having already qualified for the knock-out round of 16 by beating Zebre. The points deduction means the club have still progressed to the next round but have dropped to fifth in the table with nine points, which may affect whether they get a home fixture in the knockout stage. The fine is suspended until the end of the 2023-24 season and only needs to be paid if Bristol further breach EPCR rules during that period. Stooke came on as a replacement for Montpellier in their Champions Cup defeat by Ospreys last weekend.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Feb 9, 2023 22:47:15 GMT
Kalaveti Ravouvou: Bristol Bears agree deal to sign Fiji centre..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/C387/production/_128555005_kalavetiravouvougetty2.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/4E57/production/_128555002_kalavetiravouvougetty1.jpgFiji centre Kalaveti Ravouvou is to join Bristol in the summer. The 24-year-old will move to Ashton Gate from Super Rugby's Fijian Drua. Ravouvou played in Tests against Scotland and Ireland in November and will join as speculation links fellow Fijian Semi Radradra with a move away from the Bears after three seasons. "Kalaveti is a hugely exciting signing for the club who is comfortable at both inside and outside centre," Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said. "At only 24 years of age, he will fit nicely into our team as he brings his powerful, destructive ball carrying and a well-rounded skillset that really took Super Rugby and international rugby by storm in 2022. "He is dangerous on both sides of the ball, and we're excited to help him fulfil his potential and ambitions up here in Europe."
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Jun 9, 2023 22:51:06 GMT
Bristol Bears to replace London Irish in Champions Cup, EPCR confirm..
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/504A/production/_130045502_gettyimages-1452730008.jpg Ashton Gate will host Champions Cup rugby next seasonBristol will replace London Irish in next season's Champions Cup, European Professional Club Rugby has confirmed. It comes after Irish's financial problems led to the club being suspended from the Premiership. They will not be allowed to compete in any league next season. Their European spot will therefore be taken by the Bears, who finished ninth in the Premiership table and were the highest-placed team not to qualify for the tournament. London Irish were punished after missing a deadline to pay players and staff or complete a takeover. Owner Mick Crossan and a US consortium have been unable to reach a deal and the west London club has subsequently filed for administration.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Jul 27, 2023 19:52:41 GMT
Santiago Grondona: Bristol Bears sign Argentina's former Exeter Chiefs forward..
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/148B1/production/_130554148_santiagogrondonagetty1.jpg Santiago Grondona played eight times for Pau after seven appearances for Exeter last seasonBristol Bears have signed Argentina forward Santiago Grondona. The 24-year-old former Exeter player, who can play at lock or in the back row, joins from French side Pau. Grondona played eight times for Pau after moving to France from the Chiefs in February and is part of Argentina's squad at the Rugby Championship. He was a key player in the Pumas' 34-31 win over Australia earlier this month and featured in his country's historic win in New Zealand last August. "Santiago is a versatile, powerful back row forward and we're pleased to bring in a player of his quality to bolster the depth in our pack ahead of the new season," said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam. "He has been outstanding in international rugby over the past 12 months and continues to go from strength to strength. "He will add huge value to us on and off the field and we look forward to him joining up with the squad."
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Nov 16, 2023 15:24:24 GMT
Bath v Bristol Bears: The closest Premiership derby in more ways than one..
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/A8D7/production/_131732234_shutterstock_editorial_13786700o.jpg Bath's matches with local rivals Bristol have typically been close affairs in recent years
Just 14 miles separate the Recreation Ground from Ashton Gate, and derbies between Bath and Bristol have a track record of being just as close. Of the 10 meetings between the two neighbours over the past five years in the Premiership, seven have been settled by fewer than seven points. The two games last season were won by two points and last-minute scores. "It's very intense," is Bath and England flanker Sam Underhill's assessment to BBC Radio Somerset. "The first one I remember playing, I think it was the first one at Ashton Gate when they [Bristol] got promoted and it was one of the loudest games I've been to and one of the most intense. I think the crowd bring that intensity for sure. "Normally in games when you have a break in play you get a minute to calm yourself down and think, whereas it feels like in these games sometimes you don't. It's just non-stop. "They want to play an exciting brand of rugby which is a creative, attacking game so it's a massive, massive challenge - but that's kind of what you want." After taking on the role of Bath's head of rugby last season, and falling to 31-29 and 15-13 defeats at the hands of the Bears, Johann van Graan is keen to start turning his record against Bristol around on Friday. "I haven't enjoyed them that much because we literally lost with the last kick of the game the last two games," he said. "The first thing I will say about Bristol is they are a quality outfit, good coaching team, they've got some individuals in that coaching group I've come a long way with and respect a lot. "They've got some fascinating players - they're just another good team in this Premiership and it will be a tight battle." Bath come into the game as a club on the up this season, and off the back of a convincing 45-27 victory over Gloucester in another Friday night West Country derby last week. They sit third in the table after five Premiership rounds, in what is Van Graan's second season in charge and with a line-up bolstered by world-class talent. That being said, the team remain coy about their ambitions this campaign. "We've got a team that are improving, we've got a long way to go. It's only the middle of November now and we've got a long way to go in this Premiership," Van Graan said. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15F57/production/_131734998_gettyimages-1247444900.jpgPat Lam (left) and Johann van Graan met as Premiership coaches for the first time last seasonBy contrast, Bristol come into the game off the back of three consecutive defeats - by Harlequins, Exeter and most recently Sale - and have dropped to seventh, seven points behind Bath. However, the Bears do have the edge of winning eight of the past 10 meetings between the clubs. "We know what's required to win at the Rec, we've done it a few times," director of rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol. "I think when we look at all our stats in Bath games, everything goes up. We know how to win there and I know it's cliche - the big picture - but it's about everyone just doing their bit. "Whenever we've played there as a team and got the things right we win." Bristol have prop Ellis Genge available for the first time this season following his return to the squad from England duty at the World Cup, while full-back Max Malins is being monitored following the illness that ruled him out of the Sale match. Lam is under no illusions of how significant psychologically the result is for the Bears. It will either be a confidence-boosting victory away to a local rival or a fourth loss in a row. "It's massive. Even last year, it wasn't up to the standard we wanted but one of the highlights was that we did the double. That's huge," Lam added. "But ultimately, in the context of where we are and if we put all that aside and go 'it's us against Bath', it's a derby game. "It's a game of rugby - one that we want to win, one that they want to win, and it's always exciting."
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,736
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Nov 17, 2023 23:47:25 GMT
Premiership: Bath 20-19 Bristol - Bath beat rivals to go second in table..
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/38F9/production/_131758541_gettyimages-1799098990.jpg Ollie Lawrence has now scored three tries in his two matches for Bath this seasonBath came out on top by one point against Bristol in a pulsating west country derby at a rain-soaked Rec. Magnus Bradbury opened the scoring for Bristol but Bath hit back through Ollie Lawrence and Ben Spencer. Rich Lane and a try from Max Malins on his second Bristol debut swung the score the Bears' way but a Finn Russell penalty won it for Bath. The result confines Bristol to their fourth Premiership loss in a row, while Bath move up to second. Seven of the last 10 meetings between these neighbours were won by less than seven points and this match followed suit, although it was Bath who took the spoils having lost both games last season. Bristol started on the front foot as a sloppy penalty for offside pinned Bath inside their 10-metre line in the opening stages. The Bears moved the ball quickly and edged towards the posts where Bradbury went over from a pick and drive for the first score. Russell's first penalty got the hosts on the board and Bath gradually started to show their quality. After scoring two tries in their first derby win a week ago against Gloucester, Lawrence continued his storming form by breaking forward only to be dragged down in sight of the line. He did not have to wait long for a try as Bath moved the ball wide swiftly from a line-out, Russell offloaded and the England centre charged through two defenders and held off a third to power over. Bath instantly collected the ball from the restart and Lawrence was off again, running at the Bears defence with speed to cut inside, before Redpath released Spencer to sprint to the corner and grow the advantage to 10 points. Bristol's inconsistency has shown this season and they went in at the break having left opportunities on the field. Virimi Vakatawa darted between two defenders only to pass to opposing forward Miles Reid, but the golden chance came just before the break as Piers O'Conor failed to play in Lane in a two-on-one overlap and Bristol then lost the ball as they went through the forwards instead. Visiting boss Pat Lam was under no illusions during the week how significant the result could be for his side and they came back out rejuvenated as the rain poured down. Callum Sheedy picked out Lane with a crossfield kick to score in acres of space and narrow the gap to three, and then minutes after coming on from the bench Malins put Bristol 19-17 up. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/D539/production/_131758545_gettyimages-1799095820.jpgRussell saw a pass picked off by Gabriel Ibitoye and a pitch-perfect bit of interplay between the winger, Malins and Harry Thacker saw circles thrown around Bath before the full-back ran into the corner to score. A second Russell mistake saw him then hook a seemingly simple penalty wide and Sheedy also missed a kick from the tee for Bristol. Russell had a second chance to make amends with 10 minutes left on the clock and he took it to sneak Bath in front. Sheedy's own late penalty fell short as Bath held on for their fourth win in six. Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Bristol: "One point is the biggest and smallest margin in sports. "I thought it was a good game of rugby. I thought Bristol started like a house on fire, a very good try and then kept the ball, we couldn't get our hands on the ball. "We turned them straight away first time we could, took the three points, I thought we got some real good momentum. "Then when the rain came, it became a tactical battle and it's a real grow for us to pull this through." Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol: "We started the game exactly how we wanted, we came at them, scored, got ahead and then they got on a purple patch. "We had enough chances to go in ahead at half-time but we spoke about coming back and we did. We pegged them at their line and finally got over and got back in the game, got the lead. "I'm proud of the boys because we keep fighting and if we lose by one - was there two points out there for us to win the game? 100%. "We're disappointed we didn't take some of those points and it just shows we're not far off." Bath: Gallagher; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Stuart, Lee-Warner, Ewels, Reid, Underhill, Coetzee. Replacements: Annett, Du Toit, Jonker, Van Velze, Barbeary, Schreuder, Bailey, Ojomoh Bristol: Lane; O'Conor, Vakatawa, Janse van Rensburg, Ibitoye; Sheedy, Randall (c); Genge, Oghre, Lahiff, Holmes, Caulfield, Batley, Thacker, Bradbury. Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Sinckler, Heenan, Thomas, Marmion, Williams, Malins Referee: Christophe Ridley
|
|