Bristol Bears suffered their third straight defeat in the Gallagher Premiership on Saturday afternoon, going down 31-28 to Gloucester Rugby in an epic, wide-open contest at Kingsholm.
But while the result was the same as the last two weeks the performances were wildly improved from the Bears in contrast to the defeats to Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs.
In a contest that sew-sawed up and down, Gloucester led three times, only for Bristol to pull themselves level on each occasion, before prop Val Rapava-Ruskin’s second try just after the hour mark tied things up after the visitors had gone in front.
Flanker Jordy Reid, Rapava-Ruskin and lock Freddie Clarke claimed first-half touchdowns, yet Bristol ensured a rollercoaster encounter through equalising tries for Sam Bedlow, his fellow centre Piers O’Conor and prop Ellis Genge.
Andy Uren’s 56th-minute try edged Bristol ahead and Callum Sheedy kicked his fourth successful conversion, but Adam Hastings’ fourth conversion after Rapava-Ruskin crossed for a second time set up the opportunity for the Gloucester fly-half’s winning strike from 40m out with just a couple of minutes left on the clock.
Rugby reporter Archie Connolly takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players...
READ MORE: Gloucester Rugby 31-28 Bristol Bears LIVE: Reaction as Cherry and Whites claim victory
15. Charles Piutau - 8
The former All Black showed his quality throughout. He started well, was secure under the ball and produced a great offload to get his side on the attack.
However, was then caught out positionally, misreading a kick, to gift Gloucester a 50/22, which led to the first try of the game. Showed his class to respond well and nearly carve out an opportunity for Morahan with another exceptional offload.
Looked to have set Thomas up for a try only for the flanker to be denied by a brilliant cover tackle by Rees-Zammit.
Constantly found a man in space and was rarely caught his possession and most of Bristol’s spark came through the former All-Black.
In total made 173 metres from 21 carries, and four offloads and was unlucky to be on the losing side.
Replaced moments before the final whistle by Jack Bates as he left the field with a bit of a limp.
14. Luke Morahan - 7
Coming back from a knock against Newcastle two weeks ago the Australian was bright throughout and a constant threat.
The winger was omnipresent and looked dangerous, making 55 metres from 9 carries.
Went about his business in the air tidily and just a shame he couldn’t get one or two attacking opportunities.
Was a tidy performance but would have been disappointed to be turned over in the final minutes which ultimately secured victory for Gloucester in a pulsating encounter.
13. Piers O'Connor - 8
Struggled to get in the game early and was rocked back in a tackle, albeit not helped by the hospital pass from his fly-half.
Then ignited into life picking a gorgeous line to slice through Val Rapava-Ruskin and Giorgi Kveseladze who didn't lay a finger on him and then evade Ben Meehan, final defender, with a sumptuous step, to draw Bristol level again.
Continued to be busy in midfield and finished with an impressive 54 metres from 11 carries, in a performance where he showed all he can do, especially in attack.
Also made 11 tackles missing none in a fine all round display from the centre.
Much more like the player of the 2020/21 season when the Bears finished top.
12. Sam Bedlow - 7
Great try in defeat.
Earnt his side some tough metres and demonstrated his power to stay on his feet and score brilliantly to get his side level on 25 minutes, bouncing out the tackle of Adam Hastings and Freddie Clarke and then somehow going through Val Rapava-Ruskin and Jack Singleton who were defending the try line
Perhaps not as dynamic as the rest of his backline but was industrious and was another who was part of a much improved Bristol performance.
11. Henry Purdy - 5
A promising performance ended in agony.
On his return to his former club, did exceptionally well to block the ball and stop what looked a certain score for the home side.
Provided a threat throughout, making an eye-catching 113 metres from nine carries but will be gutted to give away a vital penalty as Hastings kicked his side into the lead three minutes before full-time.
It was a harsh call on Purdy who was trying to rip the ball but he and the Bears needed to be whiter than white in that situation and ultimately that penalty was the difference between the sides and a moment no doubt the winger will want back.
10. Callum Sheedy - 5
On his 150th appearance for the first team and didn’t have his best afternoon.
Kicked well enough but with the ball in his hand he couldn’t quite find his groove with passes going into touch or being intercepted at crucial moments as he selected the wrong options
Did produce a fine ball for the O’Connor try however, and was also four from four off the tee, reaching 1,000 competitive points for Bristol, the first to do so.
Also was solid defensively including an eye-catching shot moments before he was replaced by Macginty on 67 minutes.
It is nice to see him running a bit more.
9. Tom Whiteley - 3
A sorry afternoon for the scrum half.
In for the injured Harry Randall and really struggled. A factor in why Bristol looked disjointed in attack early on, with a couple of scrappy passes and loose kicks. Did threaten around the breakdown though and went agonisingly close when going quickly from a penalty before being pinged for holding on.
His poor half continued when dropping the ball off a lineout. Then failed to find touch, which resulted in Rapava-Ruskin’s try rather summing up his display. Pat Lam agreed as he was hooked before the first period was over.
1. Ellis Genge - 9
The England star was outstanding in defeat and is playing in a different stratosphere.
Produced a stunning tackle to wrestle back the ball for his side in promising field position.
Was superb physically, and a trademark barnstorming carry was the catalyst for the O’Connor try.
Started the second half in the perfect fashion latching onto a Kyle Sinckler tip on to smash his way over the line, for his fourth try of the season, bouncing off four attempted tacklers on his way to the line.
Desperately unlucky to finish on the losing side as he made 21 metres from 14 carries and 10 tackles missing none in a titanic performance.
2. Will Capon - 5
Did ok without standing out but there were problems in the lineout but along with his front row counterparts was tidy at the scrum.
Quieter in the loose making three carries for four metres and nine tackles missing none.
Replaced by Thacker on 66 minutes, and before the mad passage of play began.
3. Kyle Sinckler - 7
Much improved performance from the England star.
Started the second half brilliantly tipping on to his front row colleague to Genge to get the Bears level again.
Was much improved physically and carried exceptionally well, one carry in the second half particularly catching the eye in the second period.
Replaced by Lahiff on 69 minutes after a huge shift.
4. Joe Batley - 5
Back into the side on his return from Worcester and was caught out from the opening kick-off.
Looked a yard off it at times, and was shaky under the kick-off again, this time giving away a penalty, after O’Connor’s try and this subsequently led to Freddie Clarke’s try on the stroke of half time.
Similar story in the second period and replaced by John Hawkins on 66 minutes, nou doubt needed the minutes after a hectic start to his season.
5. Joe Joyce - 7
A very solid showing from the skipper. Had one or two loose moments in possession but overall was one of the standouts in the pack in the first period, leading from the front, carrying well and making five tackles in the first half alone.
Continued to carry well as Bristol got on top at the start of the second half. Replaced by Samuel Lewis on 61 minutes after a top performance.
6. Chris Vui - 5
A mixed performance. Some nice touches in defeat but then characteristically some passes perhaps shouldn’t have been thrown particularly when the Bears had such promising field position.
Also caught the eye with some big shots when Gloucester pressed the line and did well in the first half to react to a couple lineouts which were overthrown.
Produced one or two lovely offloads to set players away but at times seems to drift out of games and this was another occasion where the game passed him by at times.
7. Dan Thomas - 6
The flanker was busy throughout and made his presence felt making 10 tackles in the first half and played his part in a couple of big turnovers for his side.
His good work continued in the second half when spotting the Gloucester move to rip the ball free and set O’Connor away.
However, then had a shocker as he looked certain to give his side the lead but was tackled by Rees-Zammit and lost the ball over the line. Thankfully it didn’t prove too costly for him as Uren went over moment later.
8. Fitz Harding- 5
Making his first appearance of the season the number eight showed glimpses of quality.
Sent Sinckler away with a fantastic pass in the second period that sadly led to no points.
Carried well when called upon, particularly in the wider channels and certainly gave the Bears something different at times.
However, at times the game seemed to pass him by and couldn’t get involved when it mattered deep in the second period.
Replacements
16. Harry Thacker -5
A bright entry.
17. Jake Woolmore - N/A
18. Max Lahiff - 5
Came on for Sinckler on 69 minutes. Made a decent entry into the game putting himself about as the contest approached its hectic ending.
Did his job at set-piece when he had to and did fine as his side suffered an agonising defeat.
19. John Hawkins - 6
A good entry. Came on for Batley and was impressive whilst on the field.
Imposed himself on proceedings and made an eye-catching couple of carries but sadly not enough to help his side get the win they craved.
20. Sam Lewis - 5
The former Worcester man was close to creating a try in the second half as he burst down the left touchline before passing inside to Andy Uren but the scrum half was caught just short of the line,
Replaced the impressive Joyce on 61 minutes and along with Hawkins had a decent impact on proceedings.
Carried well and made a couple of tackles and certainly showed moments of ability in a busy cameo into the match.
21. Andy Uren - 8
Made a huge difference. Came on in the first half and gave his side greater fluidity but was desperately unlucky not to score what would have been a superb individual try, with his foot just going into touch.
Would have been disappointed to knock-on with his side in great attacking position. Although did get his try minutes later, doing well to spot a gap at the fringes and dive over to give his side the lead.
Should have done better when two on two and on the attack with O’Connor but instead picked a poor option and the Bears were turned over in promising attacking position.
Exploited the short side throughout and was very close to adding to his tally being hauled down five metres out.
Very close to providing a match-winning performance of the bench.
22. AJ MacGinty - 5
Replaced Sheedy on 69 minutes with the game firmly in the balance.
However, like Sheedy couldn’t get his passing game going and threw one or two passes which were wild and one which was intercepted which ultimately led to the crucial penalty.
23. Jack Bates - N/A
Came on for Piutau with moments left but had too little time on the field to make a judgement.
