Ecstatic Pat Lam hails Bear's dominant Welford Road performance

Pat Lam could not hide his delight after his Bristol side crushed fellow high-flyers Leicester 54-24 at Welford Road.

The director of rugby was certainly full of festive spirit and joy after Bristol’s eight tries in an entertaining game which they had all but taken control of by the break courtesy of some thrilling and clinical running rugby.

The West Country outfit never really allowed that grip to be released in a bonus-point win which also saw them lay their title credentials and ambitions firmly on the table.

Gabriel Oghre and Kalaveti Ravouvou notched a brace apiece in a fast, furious and frantic contest which saw Bears set a new record of 10 successive away Premiership wins – beating Saracens’ previous best of nine.

It also equalled the most number of points Leicester have conceded in a single Premiership game.

Lam enthused: “It was an excellent performance from all the guys. Putting 50 points over them at Welford Road is huge for us. It was certainly one of the best first-half displays we have had since I’ve been here.

“The performance looked like the way we have been training… with real confidence and belief. I was really pleased with the skill and execution showed in that first-half. We were not on it so much in the second but we are happy with the result.

“Now we have a short turnaround at home to Sale on Friday night. It’s important we continue trying to build on what we have done so far this season and improve even more. But the signs are very good, and we are heading in the right direction.”

Ollie Hassell-Collins celebrated signing his new Tigers contract with two tries while Freddie Steward and Josh Bassett crossed for the Tigers.

Head coach Michael Cheika said: “We were seen off by them in that first half, especially in the transitions.

“We were not effective at the maul and could not handle their attacks when they came. We needed to muscle up. We knew what to expect because we know how they like to run with the ball and play with it.

“But you have to match up to that, or you get punished.

“I am disappointed for the fans who, some of them, are having a Christmas night out with the players tonight. But I still have confidence in where we are and where we are going.”

Tigers captain Julian Montoya added: “We must take it on the chin and come back strongly against Harlequins in the next game. We were not at our best and we paid for it.”