Bristol Bears recorded their first draw of the season on Saturday night with the Ashton Gate scoreboard reading 26-26 at full time in another eventful game against Leicester Tigers.
Bristol walked away with three match points from the draw after securing an attacking bonus point thanks to tries from Semi Radradra on his injury comeback, Charles Piutau, Bryan Byrne and Gabriel Ibitoye with the final two scores coming after Francois van Wyk was red carded for a high shoulder to head tackle on Ellis Genge.
Leicester scored first-half tries through centre Dan Kelly, wing Chris Ashton and hooker Julian Montoya as the visitors capitalised on Radradra being in the sin bin following a high tackler on Freddie Burns.
But a 29th-minute yellow card for Radradra proved costly, with Leicester posting two tries while he was out of action, until the late Bristol tries, both converted by MacGinty.
MacGinty even had a chance to win it with the game’s final kick, but he sent a 40-metre penalty narrowly wide.
Rugby writer Archie Connolly takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players....
15. Charles Piutau – 8
A quality performance.
Composed as ever and demonstrated his quality evading his opposite number after Steward’s up and under. Continued in fine fashion and ran a lovely arc to latch on to Sheedy’s pass and score in the corner.
Was positive on the ball throughout and another great pass sent Thacker away, leading to the vital Ibitoye try. Overall ran for over 100 metres and was a large part in Bristol taking three points from the game.
14. Deago Bailey – 6
Made a break early on which got the Bears on the front foot. Had little ball afterwards and made a poor handling error which allowed the Tigers to advance upfield as the half wore on. His half didn’t get easier as another high ball was spilt moments after Ashton’s score. Unfortunately, the scrum led to another sloppy penalty from a Bristol perspective and subsequently Montoya’s score.
Recovered from another error to evade a few defenders and break away, demonstrating his running ability. Looked to have scored a wonder try but was found to be in touch as Bristol searched for a lifeline.
Only his second appearance in the Premiership but showed enough that there is something to persist with going forward, in total making 66 metres.
13. Semi Radradra – 7
Seemed inevitable really as he showed his power to score the first try of the game on his highly anticipated return. Was offering himself constantly to carry and made some huge dents in the Leicester defence.
However, was then sent to the sin-bin for a reckless tackle on Burns half an hour in. His time in the bin proving costly as the Tigers racked up 10 points in his absence.
Continued to highlight his qualities running some quality lines but as the game wore on even he was finding it difficult to penetrate the Leicester defensive wall. Made a vital tackle on Ashton to prevent a certain score.
Provided class throughout and is massive for this side that he’s back.
12. Piers O’Conor – 6
A Jekyll and Hyde performance from the centre.
Classy start from the centre who threatened early when on the ball, with both his passing and running game. Although, Bristol were sloppy in defence and after a simple move the Bristol centre fell off his opposite man and allowed Kelly to score. There were three missed tackles in the first half alone from the centre.
Didn’t cover himself in glory when failing to pass and squandering what looked a certain try. Got caught in possession again with Bristol in decent attacking position and was beginning to struggle to have an impact.
However, Byrne’s try sparked the Bears into life and the centre produced a delightful offload to ignite a Bristol counter and on the ball is a quality operator.
11. Gabriel Ibitoye – 9
Such a talent.
Produced a great carry to set Bailey away and ignite his side into action. Knocked on under pressure but responded well, producing great front foot ball for his side leading to Piutau’s try.
Always offers a threat and after a brilliant take in the air it started a lovely flowing move which sadly was spilled with the Bears threatening. However, was let loose y Thacker and did brilliantly to finish which drew the Bears level with moments remaining. The telling score and one of the standouts from the draw.
10. Callum Sheedy – 6
A mixed night for the Welshman.
Started brightly on the ball but then had a bad spell. Would have been annoyed with his missed tackle on Guy Porter which allowed the Tigers into the Bears half. Didn’t have his kicking boots on early doors, missing the conversion and seeing an ambitious drop-goal fall short before being charged down in his own 22 which allowed Tigers to earn themselves a penalty and their first points of the game.
Showed his class to respond and floated a delicious pass to Piutau who scored and the Welshman converted the try to restore the Bears lead.
The Bears were under the cosh as the half wore on and the fly-half did his best but missed three tackles as the Tigers pounced. Also couldn’t find as many holes in the Leicester attack in the second period and was replaced by MacGinty on 56 minutes.
9. Will Porter – 6
Had a box-kick charged down after the first score but did well to recover possession. Bristol started well but became stagnant and at times needed some calm heads when at the breakdown things seemed either too slow or lacking direction, notably when bombing a score at the start of the second period.
Was better as the game went on and at times could have threatened more to test Leicester out but no doubt he has a lot to offer the Bears, just decisions and composure can be better at times.
Overall an ok performance without setting the world alight.
Ellis Genge – 7
Back on his return from England duty the loose-head was solid early on, scrummaging well before showing his talent in possession to tip on to Sheedy who set up Piutau’s try.
Carried as strongly as ever and his carrying close to the line was a catalyst for Byrne’s try and also resulted in a red card for Van Wyk meaning Bristol had a man advantage for the final period.
Did brilliantly having received a terrible pass to rally and bounce off two defenders to feed Piatau who set Thacker away and led to Ibitoye’s vital score.
Massive player for this side.
Bryan Byrne – 8
A fine night for the hooker.
Impressed in the loose and was solid enough at the set piece, albeit had limited lineouts. One of few who was everywhere in defence and racked up 12 tackles missing none by 60 minutes.
As the Bears searched for a way back into the game, it was the hooker who provided it, burrowing his way over to reduce the Tigers lead to seven. Finished on 12 tackles and 10 carries before being replaced by Thacker after his score on 65 minutes.
3. Max Lahiff – 5
Did ok at the scrum in the first half but really struggled as the game went on. Then gradually began to lose the battle at the scrum, giving away a penalty which invited the visitors into the Bears half as they wrestled control. Another scrum penalty on 60 minutes rather summed up his display and his woes continued, conceding another scrum minutes later, permitting the Tigers to escape their own territory.
Did work hard in defence making nine tackles and was eventually replaced on 72 minutes by Jay Tyack.
4. Joe Batley – 7
Been impressive this season and started well, unlucky that his charge down didn’t lead to greater reward.
Good in the lineout and certainly has a presence in the loose. Was good in the contact area and missed no tackles throughout the game, whilst carrying well when called upon.
Another who was promising on a better night for the Bears.
5. Chris Vui - 7
Had a decent first half and made some strong tackles when called upon, making eight tackles in the first period.
Physically superb and one of his better displays. In total finished with 11 tackles, missing none and also showed some nice touches on the ball. A solid evening for the second rower.
6. Steven Luatua – 6
Not the greatest first period from the skipper. Had his moments in possession, carrying three times. However, as the Tigers mounted the pressure the skipper missed three tackles as Leicester scored three tries in a late surge at the end of the first half.
Did well to latch onto a loose kick off to ignite a Bears attack which sadly Bailey couldn’t quite finish. Looked good on the ball as the game progressed and
7. Sam Lewis – 6
Found himself out wide and showed great footwork to go within inches of scoring, before Radradra duly scored moments later. However, got caught on the wrong side of the ruck and Youngs used his experience to catch him out and earn Tigers a penalty, which Burns converted for the lead.
Work rate was superb and made 7 tackles whilst on before sadly being withdrawn due to injury moments before the break. Replaced by Dan Thomas.
8. Jake Heenan – 6
Didn’t start in great fashion, giving away a sloppy penalty in the first minute. Put in usual shift and made 7 tackles in the first half alone.
As the Tigers pressed produced a vital turnover which wrestled the ball back for his side and relieved some pressure.
This turnover ultimately proved crucial and the number eight could be credited with sparking a comeback which helped end Bristol’s dismal run. Also had five carries for 10 metres in an industrious display.
Replacements:
16. Harry Thacker – 7
On with 15 minutes to go and provided the vital assist for the Bears equalising try. Is such an asset for this Bears side, especially with the space that was around when he came on.
A good cameo from the hooker.
17. Jake Woolmore – N/A
18. Jay Tyack – N/A
On for Lahiff but too little time to give a fair reading.
19. John Hawkins - 6
20. Dan Thomas – 6
On for Lewis just before the break and looked destined to score after a brilliant charge down. However, the Bears butchered a golden opportunity after his good work.
Made his tackles, five and missed none, one or two loose moments on the ball but overall was a decent showing from the substitute as the Bears ended their losing run.
21. Andy Uren – N/A
22. AJ MacGinty – 6
Agonising ending for the American.
On for Sheedy and gave a composed performance.
Produced some lovely moments, including a Crossfield to kick to Radradra and kicked a couple conversions, however he will be gutted he couldn’t give Bristol what would have been a much-needed win.
