Following Bristol Bears comprehensive yet entertaining 37-21 win over Newcastle Falcons, director of rugby Pat Lam insisted there was still room for improvement despite extending their winning streak to four games.
“We can play a whole lot better than that as we were very messy at times in a fluctuating game," Lam said.
“We played some really good rugby and the flashy stuff can be really good but we need to tighten up on the little things like knocking balls back carelessly from line-outs."
The hosts secured the bonus-point win with four tries in the opening half hour, as Andy Uren, Siva Naulago, Luke Morahan and Alapati Leiua crossed the line, but that was not without resistance in the form of five-pointers from Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti and Nathan Earle, alongside a penalty try after some hard work from the Falcons pack.
Some assured goal kicking from step-in fly-half Tom Whiteley, who slotted over all seven of his attempted kicks from the tee, helped put the hosts beyond reach of their northern visitors and cruise to victory.
While strong performances from the aforementioned Naulago and the ever-present Semi Radradra defined Bristol’s performance, the game was riddled with disciplinary issues as Dave Attwood, captain Joe Joyce and Steven Luatua all were handed sentences in the sin bin as the team racked up a whopping 17 penalties.
Lam reflected, “Our discipline was poor as we gave away so many penalties and we knew Newcastle wouldn’t give up.
“The two yellow cards just before half-time was a problem but we said at the interval that we needed to take control for that sin-bin period, which I thought we did well and the players have to take credit for that.”
With the momentum of a four-game win streak behind them,Lam and Bristol will look ahead to a Friday night clash under the lights as they host London Irish at Ashton Gate.
“It’s our fourth bonus-point win on the trot so that will give us a lot of confidence and hopefully we can launch our season from here starting with next week," Lam said.
However, victory came at a cost to the Bears' backline on Saturday with Andy Uren and Luke Morahan both suffering apparent muscle pulls to leave the field before half-time, leaving Bristol short of options at scrum-half, with Harry Randall away with England and potentially full-back with Charles Piutau out with an Achilles injury.
Lam said: "I am a bit concerned we got a few more niggles and injuries so we will see how they go."
The Bears director of rugby will hope to have versatile Welsh international Ioan Lloyd back in the mix when the Exiles come to town with the 20-year-old absent due to Covid.
The victory sees Bristol climb one place in the table, leap-frogging beaten Newcastle into 10th.
