Bristol Bears’ hopes of landing a top four spot in the Allianz Premier 15s took another hit as, despite a spirited second-half comeback, they succumbed to a third straight loss at the hands of unbeaten Gloucester-Hartpury.
The Bears showed a gutsy start with Gloucester-Hartpury camped down on the 5-metre line at Shaftesbury Park hunting for an early opening score in the first 10. Bristol showed their midweek work to stop every phase of the onslaught on the line and Keira Bevan capped off a great defensive set, plucking the ball from a rogue pass and running 70 metres back to the other half.
But the league leaders were keen to prove their undefeated status. The Bears were struggling to contain the Gloucester-Hartpury wingers, who were opening up space whenever they wanted. They were in their attacking groove crossing for two tries in quick succession from Emma Sing and Rachel Lund. The opening grit was suddenly gone and it was 12-0 to the visitors.
