Bristol Bears suffered their fifth straight Premiership defeat on Saturday night with a 25-10 defeat at home to league leaders Saracens.
Max Malins scored a stunning solo try for the visitors while Alex Goode finished with a 100 percent record from the kicking tee as he landed six penalties and a conversion for a 20 point haul.
Bristol did cross the line twice through Harry Thacker and Jonathan Benz-Solomon but generally came a distant second best.
Rugby writer Archie Connelly takes a closer look at the individual performance from the Bristol players....
READ MORE: Bristol Bears 10-25 Saracens LIVE: Reaction as Pat Lam's side suffer home defeat
15. Luke Morahan – 6
Started well bringing a calm and collected presence in the backfield, kicking well and finding touch, where others failed.
Made 62 metres from 11 carries but sadly went off with an injury at the start of the second period which was a big blow to an already inexperienced Bears side.
14. Deago Bailey – 7
League debut for the England U20 international and he was busy aerially as both teams looked to gain territory in challenging conditions. Seemed to settle as the half wore on and made a great defensive read to stop Elliot Daly in his tracks, which led to a vital turnover.
Offered a lot of promise, making one or two great takes but would have been annoyed to turn the ball over in midfield when returning a Saracens kick.
However, continued to search for the ball and finished having made 34 metres from four carries and was overall impressive on debut.
13. Joe Jenkins – 5
Another who made his Premiership bow and in doing so at 19 years and 23 days old become the fifth youngest player to do so.
He struggled to get involved in the first half in what was a game of attrition. He had limited ball in hand as the game was largely played with the boot and came off for a head injury just before the break, but thankfully returned to the action after the pause.
Made one or two good tackles but was largely quiet on his league debut and was replaced for good on 74 minutes.
12. Sam Bedlow – 7
Has been a fixture of the side recently and battled hard carrying well when called upon and defensively solid, completing four tackles and missing none in the first period.
Continued to impress physically and was outstanding defensively throughout, making eight tackles many of which stopped Sarries momentum.
A good evening for the centre, only frustration was that he didn’t get much opportunity in attack.
11. Gabriel Ibitoye – 7
On his return to the Premiership, he immediately highlighted his ability with a couple of eye-catching carries. Made great ground but unfortunately couldn’t quite stop Max Malins in scoring the first try.
Limited opportunities to shine in attack throughout but when he did touch it, the crowd were right behind him and certainly showed why the Bears were keen to bring him to the club.
Made 21 metres from five carries and could play a huge part in the Bears season.
10. Callum Sheedy – 5
Couldn’t fault his ambition in the first half, but execution was lacking either with the boot or his hands. Ultimately it was his poor kick which led to Malins’ superb solo try which broke the stalemate 30 minutes into the game.
A frustrating night for the Welsh International whose kicking game let him down and seemed to be where Bristol struggled the most, failing to get any control in the game, which proved costly in the end.
9. Will Porter – 5
Thrown in for his first premiership start and made a dart early on which set Bristol on the attack, demonstrating he could be a threat around the fringes.
However, that threat failed to materialise and in the kicking game, he was often far too long failing to give his chasers the chance to compete.
A huge factor in the Bears defeat was their kicking game and despite one or two promising moments the inability to control the game was a huge factor, with too many kicks not finding touch from both Sheedy and the scrum-half.
Replaced by Andy Uren on 70 minutes.
1. Yann Thomas - 5
Sarries’ tight five was their least-experienced area and there were penalties on both sides of the scrum early on with the Bristol loose-head seemingly having the upper hand on his opposite number.
However, the Sarries front-row began to dominate in the tight as Bristol conceded multiple scrum penalties which led to points.
The experienced prop made three tackles and missed two before being replaced by Jake Woolmore on 60 minutes as Pat Lam tried to change the outcome at the set-piece.
2. Bryan Byrne – 6
Lineouts have been a worry for the Bears, with them having the worst percentage of ball won on their own throw in the league going into the game (81 %), but Byrne started well nailing his first few to settle some nerves. Frustratingly for Bristol, the first one in attacking position was fired long and released pressure on the visitors.
Replaced by Thacker on 52 minutes having made four tackles, missing none and two carries for one or two metres on what was a decent showing from the hooker.
3. Jay Tyack – 5
The prop was another making their first start for the Bears and won a penalty at his first scrum, before a couple going against him afterwards.
Began to struggle as the game wore on and gave away a scrum penalty which allowed Goode to extend the lead to 19-0 with half an hour remaining. It didn’t get any easier as Sarries rammed home their superiority, despite Thacker’s try and added to their tally from another scrum penalty to make it 22-5.
A difficult evening for the tighthead, however he did make five tackles, missing none and he was replaced by Benz-Solomon on 64 minutes.
4. Ed Holmes – 8
A standout on a difficult night for Bristol. Did excellently at the maul to halt Saracens when they were pressing deep inside the Bears' territory. Then did very well to stop Daly when he went through a gap.
Stole a lineout in superb fashion which subsequently led to Thacker’s try and certainly was one who impressed in defeat.
Came off with five minutes to go and was replaced by John Hawkins.
5. Joe Batley – 6
Defensively sound making three tackles, missing none in the first half, although conceded a penalty moments before the break, jumping across the lineout to allow Alex Goode to make it 13-0 to Sarries going into half-time.
Quieter than the rest of the pack but went about his business well , solid when called upon at the lineout and made four tackles missing none and made three carries.
A steady performance from the lock.
6. Magnus Bradbury – 6
Did well to stop Goode’s chip and chase and put himself about in defence, however, would have been disappointed to get isolated and give away a penalty which allowed Saracens to extend their lead on the stroke of half-time.
Along with his back-row colleagues, couldn’t fault his work rate and finished having made 16 metres from three carries and made eight tackles
7. Jake Heenan – 6
Impressed whilst on and worked superbly in defence, making six tackles alone in the first half and also showed one or two nice touches in attack when under pressure.
Sadly, another who had to be withdrawn for injury as he hobbled off to be replaced by Dan Thomas on 48 minutes as Saracens really began to gain control.
Finished having made nine tackles, missing none.
8. Fitz Harding – 7
Made a loose carry early on which thankfully for the Bears led to no danger. However, reacted well and was dynamic with ball in hand to get his side out of trouble on numerous occasions, making 17 metres from six carries in the opening period.
Also did superbly to track back and regather, stopping a threatening Sarries attack as half-time approached.
Finished with eight carries for 17 metres, but overall produced an assured display and was another who had a strong evening albeit in a losing cause.
Replacements
16. Harry Thacker – 7
Came on for Byrne on 52 minutes and immediately impacted the game. Looked to have crossed for a try straight away having somehow burrowed through the legs of a Saracens defender before it being brought back for an obstruction.
However, he didn’t have to wait long for a try as Bristol got their maul going to smash over the line, the hooker scoring to continue his rich try-scoring form.
Carried well and highlighted why he can be such a threat and went close to getting another double.
17. Jake Woolmore – 6
Came on for Thomas with his side under pressure at the scrum and when Saracens added another three points from a scrum penalty but the two substitute props for Bristol responded well and got one back of their own.
Made one big tackle and an imposing carry in a decent outing off the bench.
18. Jonathan Benz-Solomon – 6
Scored a good try at the end with a short range thrust to give the Bears fans something to cheer late on.
Also came on and won and lost a scrum penalty which kind of summed up the match up front for the Bears
19. John Hawkins – N/A
Not on long enough to give a judgement.
20. Dan Thomas – 7
On for Jake Heenan on 47 minutes and did well, including making a barnstorming run which advanced Bristol up the field and allowed them to grab a consolation try at the death.
Plenty of industry in what was a decent performance of the bench for the home side.
21. Andy Uren – 6
Came on with 10 minutes to go and brought some energy to proceedings albeit with the points already settled.
Latched one well to Thomas’ break which ultimately led to Benz-Solomon’s try.
22. Ioan Lloyd – 5
Finally returned to a Premiership matchday squad having been out injured for the beginning of the season, coming on the injured Luke Morahan on 43 minutes.
Demonstrated his ability with one or two nice touches towards the end after the game had gone but not really his game and more than anything, pleasing from a Bears point of view to see him back involved.
23. Jack Bates – N/A
On for Joe Jenkins briefly at the end of the first half and five minutes before half-time but not on long enough to give a fair rating.
