Diabolical son returns to thwart Leicester Tigers
Harry Thacker haunted his former club with the pivotal late score as Bristol Bears recorded their first victory at Welford Road since 2002.
The hooker scored his side’s third and decisive try late in the game to keep Bristol’s hopes of a top-six finish alive in the Gallagher Premiership while the Tigers’ top-flight status is still not guaranteed after this defeat.
George Ford and Callum Sheedy traded penalties before Jordan Olowofela and Sheedy dotted down to leave the score 11-11 at half-time.
Despite Dan Thomas’ third try in as many games, Ford’s boot appeared to have given Leicester the win and secured their safety before Thacker’s score clinched the game.
The result means that Bristol close the gap on sixth-placed Sale Sharks – their next opponents – to three points with two rounds left.
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For Geordan Murphy’s side, the losing bonus point means their top-flight status is nearly secured but they will be counting the cost of letting academy prospect Thacker leave, the hooker also bagged a double in Bristol’s win at Ashton Gate in December.
Both sides entered this encounter with the league’s most porous defences, conceding a combined 1,082 points and 141 tries, yet scoring opportunities were at a premium in a tight opening half-hour.
Ford opened the scoring with a penalty after John Afoa’s infringement at the breakdown.
Bristol’s response was swift, with Sheedy converting a penalty from in front of the posts following a collapsed scrum.
The visitors’ bold and open style of play has often been a double-edged sword for them and so it proved again in the 20th minutes.
Thomas collected Tatafu Polota-Nau’s overshot lineout but his hurried pass in his own 22 forced Sam Bedlow into a knock-on, which led to Ford knocking over three more points after Bristol were penalised at the ensuing scrum.
But the Bristolian pack responded, with a driving maul forcing another penalty that Sheedy converted to level the scores again at 6-6.
Tigers grabbed the game’s first try in the 30th minute as quick hands from Jonny May and Guy Thompson released Olowofela to score in the corner.
But Bristol were not behind for long. An excellent box kick from Andy Uren camped Bristol deep in Leicester’s 22 and Sheedy punctured a hole in the home side’s defence to level the game at 11 points apiece at half-time.
Ford kicked the Tigers back into the lead shortly after the break after the Bears were penalised at the ruck.
Although Matt Toomua was sin-binned, Leicester’s defence held the Bears at bay on their own try line before earning another penalty at the breakdown which Ford converted to extend the lead to 17-11.
However, Pat Lam’s men exploited their numerical advantage in the 58th minute when Piers O’Connor broke on the right and the ball was worked to Thomas to run in for the score.
Leicester’s scrum started to prevail as the second half wore on, allowing Ford give his side breathing space with another successful kick from the tee with 10 minutes to go.
There was a sting in the tail of the game for the hosts, though, as successive driving mauls from Bristol saw old Leicester boy Thacker touch down against his former employers for the third time this season to win the game.
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
I've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to comments