Bears embarrass Bath
PREMIERSHIP REPORT: Alapati Leiua scored the winning try ten minutes from time as Bristol Bears upset Bath to win the first game of the season in front of a record crowd.
With 26,079 packed into Ashton Gate, the most ever for a Friday night game in England’s top flight, the hosts needed to put on a show in their first game back and they delivered in style.
Flyhalf Ian Madigan slotted over four penalties before wing Leiua juggled the ball and dived over in the corner to send the majority of the fans inside Ashton Gate wild.
Tom Homer scored Bath’s try but the visitors will be left wondering what if after a number of missed chances.
Bristol came out of the traps strongly and Ireland international Madigan got the first points of the season with a mid-range penalty.
But Bath, with new signing Jamie Roberts providing a powerful presence in midfield, responded well and should have scored the first try when full-back Homer wrapped around nicely to latch onto a popped up pass, but he spilt the ball while diving in for the try.
Madigan’s second penalty put the Bears six clear and it should have been more shortly after when wing Luke Morahan found a gap in the Bath defence and powered through.
🎥| TRY-TIME! 💪#BRIvBAT pic.twitter.com/XGm2i4cBBC
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) 31 August 2018
However, instead of releasing the ball on his inside for a score he held onto it for too long and was tackled.
Madigan got the first points of the second half with a third penalty of the match, while opposite number Rhys Priestland struggled off the tee – missing his first two attempts.
But Bath quickly responded after his second miss, with full-back Homer making amends for that earlier mistake by finishing powerfully from close-range.
That noticeably changed the momentum and only a deliberate Tusi Pisi knock-on prevented Bath adding a second shortly after.
But Priestland booted a penalty to put them ahead at last, however that woke the Bears up.
Morahan made an incisive break and passed to Leiua, who just about kept hold of it after three juggles and slammed it into the turf.
Bath pressed hard after but the Bears held out for a famous derby win.
The scorers:
For Bristol:
Try: Leiua
Pens: Madigan 4
For Bath:
Try: Homer
Con: Priestland
Pen: Priestland
Teams:
Bristol: 15 Luke Daniels, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Will Hurrell, 12 Tusi Pisi, 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 George Smith, 6 Steven Luatua (captain), 5 Chris Vui, 4 Ed Holmes, 3 John Afoa, 2 Harry Thacker, 1 Yann Thomas
Replacements: 16 Shaun Malton, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Jake Armstrong, 19 Joe Latta, 20 Jack Lam, 21 Andy Uren, 22 Callum Sheedy, 23 Ryan Edwards
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Chris Cook, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Zach Mercer, 5 Matt Garvey (captain), 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Nathan Catt
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Will Vaughan, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Max Green, 22 Freddie Burns, 23 Aled Brew
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant referees: Adam Leal & Wayne Falla.
TMO: Rowan Kitt.
🍾 | Some way to mark your arrival on the @premrugby stage, @Ljmorahan 👏
The Wizard is your @thatchers_cider #ManOfTheMatch 🧙♂️ pic.twitter.com/Rf3PYayQeR
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) 31 August 2018
