Pat Lam‘s Bristol Bears rapped out a warning to the rest of the Prem with a 41-26 six-try beating of reigning champions Northampton Saints.
And Lam revealed it was the humiliation of Bristol‘s 94-33 defeat to Saints last season that was the major motivation for yesterday’s performance.
Lam, below, closely studied the video of that May match over the summer and yesterday his side – with Louis Rees-Zammit, Harry Randall, Fitz Harding and Pedro Rubiolo all shining – took revenge.
He said: “I watched that game five times.”
Fuel
He continued: “I never watched a game five times in the off-season.
“Though it hurt, I watched it and built the whole pre-season around that in a sense.”
Rees-Zammit, back as wing after playing a lot at full-back last season, showed his pace again with a try double but also landed one 50-22 after a summer in Spain improving his kicking.
Lam added: “He’s sharp and he’s back on the wing and most importantly, that’s where he wants to be.
“And he loves finishing.
“He’s done a lot of work. He was over with Rich Lane in Marbella enjoying the sun and he was doing his kicking.
“He’s getting the rewards of that work.”
Rees-Zammit could have had a hat-trick but was blocked by Tommy Freeman who was punished with a yellow card.
The Welshman said: “The loss last year really fuelled us.
“We had fans go up there and for them to watch us concede 94 points was embarrassing.”
Double trouble: Louis Rees-Zammit speeds past George Hendy to score for Bristol Bears.
PICTURE: Getty Images
No hex
Northampton boss Phil Dowson denied his side were jinxed by Ashton Gate but admitted they were beaten by the better side.
Saints have not won in Bristol for five years but Dowson praised Bears for their physicality and set-piece prowess.
He said: “There is not a hex on us here that I am aware of – other than that they are a very good side.
“We just didn’t execute anything like to our level and that is something we have to look at.
“Why? That is the million-dollar question.
“The overwhelming feeling is frustration and we have to understand how we get better.
“They scored more tries than anybody else last season.
“They get well known for the flash stuff but they do the tough stuff and have a good set piece and we weren’t able to cope with that.”
Lam confirmed Benhard Janse van Rensburg had been knocked out but couldn’t put a time frame on his return.
He said: “It always looks worse straight away – but he was knocked out. So now it is the concussion protocols and hopefully he is back soon.”
Bristol’s West Country rivals Gloucester went to the top of the Prem on points difference last night, shutting out a limp Harlequins 48-0 in an impressive eight-try display at Kingsholm.
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