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Bristol Bears break 14-year drought at Bath

By Online Editors
Bath v Bristol – Gallagher Premiership – Recreation Ground

Bristol moved third in the Gallagher Premiership after beating Bath 19-13 and claiming a first league win at the Recreation Ground for 14 years.

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Tries by flanker Chris Vui, wing Alapati Leiua and substitute scrum-half Harry Randall shaded a tight and tense west country derby in Bristol’s favour.

Fly-half Callum Sheedy kicked two conversions and, although Bath replacement Will Chudley touched down in the second period, it was a case of too little too late.

Rhys Priestland slotted two penalties and a conversion, yet it was Bristol’s day as they climbed to just a point behind second-placed Sale Sharks.

It was Bath’s first Premiership home defeat for a year, but Bristol’s fourth league win on the bounce underlined serious title play-off ambitions this season.

Bath v Bristol - Gallagher Premiership - Recreation Ground

 

Rhys Webb teamed up with his fellow Wales international Priestland at half-back for a Bath debut, while prop Will Stuart and number eight Taulupe Faletau returned from Six Nations duty and Mike Williams replaced Tom Ellis in the back row.

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Bristol boss Pat Lam made seven changes from the side that scraped past Worcester last time out, including first league starts of the season for prop Yann Thomas and number eight Jordan Crane, with Leiua replacing injured wing Henry Purdy.

Despite Bristol’s long wait for a win on Bath soil, they were off and running inside five minutes, going ahead through a well-worked try.

Full-back Charles Piutau made initial headway, before possession was moved wide, wing Luke Morahan made a darting break and Vui finished off impressively for a five-point lead.

 

 

A Priestland penalty opened Bath’s account, but Bristol looked the far more threatening team with ball in hand and they conjured a second try after 17 minutes.

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The visitors were playing advantage from a penalty award and Sheedy’s slicing break took him behind the Bath defence before he delivered an inch-perfect kick to an unmarked Leiua, who touched down.

Sheedy converted from the touchline, but Bath responded impressively as their forwards set up camp inside Bristol’s 22 and applied relentless pressure.

Bristol had lock Joe Joyce sin-binned in their attempts to repel Bath, yet they ultimately gained a penalty that Sheedy cleared to touch.

It was a wasted opportunity by Bath, although they did manage to cut the deficit just before half-time when Priestland landed a second penalty after Bristol drifted offside.

Bath dominated the third quarter in terms of territory and possession, twice sacrificing kickable penalties to go for a lineout drive, but Bristol’s defence held firm.

Skipper Steven Luatua was at the heart of Bristol’s defensive effort and Bath were left frustrated by their failure to break through.

Bath v Bristol - Gallagher Premiership - Recreation Ground

And Bristol punished them in the 63rd minute, attacking from deep to create space for Morahan, although Bath full-back Tom Homer pulled off a superb try-saving tackle.

But the ball was quickly recycled and moved wide and Randall claimed Bristol’s third try, again converted by Sheedy.

Webb went off with 15 minutes left and his replacement Chudley made an immediate impact, appearing on Priestland’s shoulder, collecting the fly-half’s pass and sprinting over unopposed.

Priestland’s conversion made it a six-point game again with 13 minutes left, but, despite Bath having chances to make further inroads, Bristol kept their composure to claim an outstanding victory.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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