Scotland ace shines as Bristol Bears subject Pau to brutal 60-minute mauling

Eight different try scorers got in on the act as Bristol made it two wins from two and scored all 61 of their points – as Tom Jordan kicked eight successful conversions – within the opening hour to claim a dominant win.

England prop Ellis Genge powered over from close range open a destructive afternoon of scoring and Fitz Harding slipped the ball to Benjamin Grondona in a two-on-one situation to go under the posts for their second try.

Things were threatening to get a bit ugly for the French visitors when Bristol ran in three more tries before the break courtesy of Kieran Marmion, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Gabriel Oghre’s score at the back of the maul on the stroke of half-time.

There were no signs of letting up in the second period either, Benhard Janse van Rensburg crossed over four minutes into the half before Joe Batley made it 47-0.

Pau got on the scoresheet through Fabien Brau-Boirie’s try under the posts but Aidan Boshoff and Grondona – who crossed over for his brace – extended the hosts’ score, while Brau-Boirie’s second try was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

Venue: Ashton Gate
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Attendance: 15,302
Half-time: Bristol Bears 33–0 Section Paloise
Final score: Bristol Bears 61–12 Section Paloise
Player of the Match: Benjamin Grondona (Bristol Bears)

Bristol Bears: Benjamin Elizalde; Kalaveti Ravouvou, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, James Williams, Aidan Boshoff; Tom Jordan, Kieran Marmion; Ellis Genge, Gabriel Oghre, Lovejoy Chawatama, Pedro Rubiolo, Joe Batley, Joe Owen, Benjamin Grondona, Fitz Harding.

Replacements: Harry Thacker, Jake Woolmore, Jimmy Halliwell, Santiago Grondona, Luka Ivanishvili, Sam Wolstenholme, Sam Worsley, Josh Carrington.

Section Paloise: Aymeric Luc; Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Quentin Valentino, Thomas Carol; Clément Mondinat, Dan Robson; Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Lucas Rey, Siate Tokolahi, Thomas Jolmes, Mickael Capelli, Joel Kpoku, Clément Paul, Carwyn Tuipulotu.

Replacements: Youri Delhommel, Remi Seneca, Jon Zabala Arrieta, Remi Picquette, Loic Credoz, Thomas Souverbie, Nathan Decron, Reece Hewat.