Gloucester ………………….. 24pts
Tries: Hathaway 10, Carreras 18, McBurney 21
Conversions: Carreras 11, 19, 22
Penalty: Carreras 33
Bristol ………………………….. 33pts
Tries; Harding 13, Oghre 24, Bradbury 36, 66; van Rensburg 74
Conversions: MacGinty 14, 25, 67, 75
BRISTOL – back to their “live by the sword, die by the sword” best – contin-nued their rich vein of form with this entertaining victory which well and truly put them in the mix for a play-off place.
After much pyrotechnics from both teams in the first 40 minutes, Pat Lam's side had to stay patient for much of the second half before they administered the coup de grace to claim a try bonus win.
As for Gloucester, they have picked up momentum in recent months but on the day Bristol, with more to play for, were hungrier and were more clinical in putting their chances away. The home side now need to bring their A game to their European Challenge Cup tie with Castres on Friday, that's where they need to focus fully for what remains of the season.
After a misleadingly turgid opening five minutes this vivid game exploded into life and never looked back as a spectacle.
Josh Hathaway – the subject of another Anglo-Welsh tug of love which England are currently winning – opened up with a chip and chase try of stunning brilliance although moments later, he failed to make the necessary tackle on Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Fitz Harding was strolling in for Bristol's first try. Let's just say defence is a work on for the talented youngster.
Next though came an interception try from Pumas fly-half Santi Carreras after AJ MacGinty had rather telegraphed an improbable pass to the unmarked Max Malins on the left wing.
Carreras converted, as he did soon after when on loan Ulster hooker Adam McBur ney found himself on the left wing after superb counter attack work from Zach Mercer, Max Llewellyn and Chris Harris – the latter twice – after a dangerous Malins attack had been thwarted. End to end stuff.
Bristol had to score next and they did, hooker Gabriel Oghre showing trademark speed and footwork to run in from the 22 after good work from Malins.
Carreras countered with a 40m penalty but then came a momentum swing. Freddie Clarke intercepted on halfway but instead of simply handing on to speedster Hathaway, went for glory and got dragged down.
In the next major play the exceptional Harding showed how when he broke from the same range but slowed, looked and eventually found Gabriel Ibitoye who in turn handed on to a charging Michael Bradbury for an outstanding try.
Bristol, still trailing, began to dominate territorially after halftime and it was mainly back to wall defence for Gloucester.
You wondered if Bristol might panic as Gloucester dug in but eventually with less than 15 minutes remaining Bradbury capped a strong individual display by forcing his way over for a second try to draw the scores level. MacGinty, hobbling with a knock but in a steely mood, converted and Bristol moved in for the final kill.
It came from MOM van Rensburg who sold a nice dummy and showed great strength when collecting a loose ball wide on the left to avoid both tacklers and a foot in touch before scooting down the wing to put the match beyond doubt.
Bristol, not involved in Europe this coming weekend, have really hit the ground running since the long mid-season break from Premiership action and that will surely make the business end all the more entertaining.
