Bristol Bears suffered their first home defeat of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season on Friday night with a thumping 50-14 loss to Exeter Chiefs.
A brace of tries for both Olly Woodburn and Jack Nowell helped the Devon side to a seven-try victory and handed the Bears their record Premiership defeat at Ashton Gate.
Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ruben Van Heerden and Richard Capstick were also on the try-scoring sheet for the visitors, with Joe Simmonds converting three of the Chiefs’ seven tries and kicking a penalty. Henry Slade added three conversions.
Toby Fricker, making his first appearance of the season having recovered from a hamstring injury and Will Capon crossed for Bristol, with conversions from Callum Sheedy and AJ MacGinty.
Rugby writer Archie Connelly takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bears players.
READ MORE: Bristol Bears 14-50 Exeter Chiefs LIVE: Full reaction from dominant Exe win
15. Charles Piutau- 6
A subdued evening for the former All Black but when he was involved the full-back was the spark to ignite the backline
Largely quite during the first period, but before the break produced a lovely grubber kick and followed up to give an attacking five-metre scrum to his side.
Had limited ball throughout but did produce a good break and offload, which eventually led to the Capon try.
In total made 50 metres from eight carries, however, could do little to alter the result and came off on 71 minutes and was substituted for Jack Bates.
14. Toby Fricker- 6
Returned to the side from injury and was on the scoresheet within five minutes, finishing off an excellent cross-field kick from Callum Sheedy.
Had one or two wobbles through kicks notably on his return from a brief time off the field and at the start of the second half.
Made another nice break in the second period and in total made 75 metres, with one of few who could hold their head up after a dismal night for the Bears.
13. Piers O'Conor- 4
It was a poor night for the centre who has been impressive so far this season but this was not a good showing with O'Conor likely to be disappointed with his ineffective tackle for the first Olly Woodburn try.
Made 11 tackles, but did little in attack and his night came to a sorry end as he was sent to the bin for a reckless tackle in the air following a kick-off.
12. Sam Bedlow -5
Game rather passed by the number twelve.
Made nine tackles and missed one as his side were put to the sword by the Chiefs.
Did little in attack as the Bears struggled to get going and he could only manage 16 metres from seven carries.
Not the only one who struggled in a poor performance for the Bears.
11. Rich Lane - 5
Enjoyed little attacking ball, but was largely solid under the high ball when called upon in the first half. Made a rare error though at the start of the second period, knocking on to gift the Chiefs territory.
Made 38 metres from eight carries but was caught out on a couple of occasions positionally as Exeter piled on the points towards the end of the game.
10. Callum Sheedy- 6
The Welsh international had a couple of quality moments in defeat.
Started well with an excellent touch finder to give the Bears early field position, before delivering an exquisite kick pass under pressure to find Fricker in the corner and then convert the try for good measure.
However, as the tide turned towards the Chiefs, the Welshman struggled to assert himself on proceedings and was replaced by MacGinty on 57 minutes.
9. Harry Randall- 5
At times his box kicking was too long, however, the England international showed great awareness to go quickly and set up attacking field position for his side on multiple occasions, sadly though it came to nothing in terms of points.
Returned to proceedings from the blood bin and was bright, going agonisingly close to scoring but knocked on as he looked to score just before the break, leaving the half-time score at 17-7 to the visitors.
Bristol struggled to get involved at the beginning of the second period and he came off for good on 57 minutes.
1 Ellis Genge - 6
Arguably Bristol’s best players but a night marred by ill-discipline, picking up a yellow card for an alleged dangerous, high ruck clear out on Jonny Gray.
Started with immense physicality including a monstrous hit on Tshiunza which was unlucky not to force a turnover. However, he was then sin-binned rather harshly for a clean out on Jonny Gray, which ultimately led to Jack Nowell’s try for the Chiefs.
On his return to the field and was brilliant at the scrum forcing numerous penalties, sadly the Bears failed to reduce the Chiefs' lead before the break and reward the front row’s work.
However, ill-discipline began to affect his game, and he was twice marched back by referee Christophe Ridley for dissent. The ill-discipline was punished moments later as Woodburn crossed for his second try.
Continued to assert himself but could do little to stop Exeter’s momentum and eventually was replaced by Jake Woolmore on 70 minutes.
2. Will Capon - 6
Did ok in a losing cause.
Largely solid and hit his jumpers at the lineout, bar one attacking set-piece that was pinched by Jonny Gray. Part of a front row that began to dominate towards the end of the first half and was also solid in defence making eight tackles, missing zero.
Again, had one or two wayward moments but did cross for a try before he was replaced by Jake Kerr on 62 minutes.
In total made 12 tackles, missing none.
3. Kyle Sinckler- 5
The tighthead prop had a mixed first half. Gave away a penalty for offside which allowed Exeter to get on the board but the England international was busy on the ball without making any in roads and then conceded another penalty with the Bears in promising field position.
Despite his limited impact carrying he was very good at the scrum and him and Genge began to turn the screw forcing numerous scrum penalties as the half wore on.
However, spilled in possession as Exeter began to dominate and cut a frustrated figure as he was withdrawn for Lahiff on 57 minutes.
4. John Hawkins - 4
Had little impact on proceedings.
Went about his work without standing out, only making two carries, as his side struggled to match the intensity of the Chiefs.
Was solid in defence though and made 13 tackles missing none, before coming off on 57 minutes and was replaced by Ed Holmes.
5. Joe Joyce - 6
Some positive moments in a chastening defeat.
Made a barnstorming break, advancing almost half the pitch, as his side looked to hit back at the Chiefs, but in a moment that summed up Bristol's performance he failed to link up with his support after making the killer break.
Was typically industrious and made 14 tackles and missed none, which was a noble feat in such a one-sided affair.
6. Chris Vui - 4
Not one of his best.
Showed some nice touches early on including a delightful offload to find Piutau.
However, from then on struggled to impose himself, and threw a shocker of a pass which was intercepted and then finished by Luke Cowan-Dickie to all but end the contest.
Did make 13 tackles, missing one but only managed three carries, which was a reflection of how much Bristol struggled,
7. Jake Heenan - 5
An evening cut short.
The skipper worked tirelessly in the first half, making 12 tackles, missing none. Also made 7 carries for 7 metres, but his night ended prematurely due to a knock and would not have been how he would have wanted to finish the night, with his side trailing at the break.
Was seen after the game on crutches.
8. Magnus Bradbury - 6
Battled hard in defeat.
The Scot was impressive in the first period, carrying 11 times and making eight tackles in the first period alone.
Finished with stats of 13 carries for 29 metres and made 16 tackles, missing two, in a hard-working performance in difficult circumstances.
Replacements
16. Jake Kerr - 5
Did ok when he came on.
Replaced Capon on 62 minutes and spent most of his time defending as Exeter went for the throat of the Bears.
Made five tackles and missed none but there was little he could do to halt the momentum in what was already a losing cause.
17. Jake Woolmore - 5
Made a brief appearance in the first half due to the Genge yellow card and made four tackles in a busy but brief stint. Came back on at 71 minutes and made a further three tackles in a trying situation.
18. Max Lahiff - 5
Another who could do little to shift the momentum.
Made four tackles in his time on the field as he replaced Sinckler on 57 minutes. Also made a couple carries as his forward pack struggled to get a foothold.
19. Ed Holmes - 5
Put himself about.
Replaced Hawkins on 57 minutes and made seven tackles whilst on the field.
Like the rest of the pack though spent most of the time defending attack after attack from the Chiefs.
20. Dan Thomas - 6
A decent entry. Replaced skipper Keenan at half time and had and did reasonably well.
Carried for 16 metres from three carries one of few who could get some go forward and also made 10 tackles missing none.
21. Tom Whiteley - 6
Came on as a blood replacement and enjoyed a bright cameo, immediately created a chance sending Joyce through a gaping hole and advance fifty metres up field before letting himself down with a sloppy pass moments later. Built on his start, to force an error from Woodburn with a well weighted box kick and give the home side valuable field position.
Came back on for Randall on 55 minutes but had little impact on the second half as Exeter ran riot.
22. AJ MacGinty - 5
Did ok with limited ball.
Not the ideal situation for any fly-half to come onto as hi side were firmly under the cosh.
Kicked the one conversion he attempted but apart from that could do little to affect the outcome of the game.
23. Jack Bates - N/A
Had too little time on the field to give a fair rating.
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