Bristol Bears second string and up-and-coming youngster showed a stunning hunger and accuracy to shock a strong Sale Sharks side at Ashton Gate on Friday night, winning 43-19 in their final pool stage game of the 2022/23 Premiership Rugby Cup.
Ioan Lloyd scored a hat-trick from the wing and a magical try from Noah Heward as well as scores from Ed Holmes, Harry Ascherl and Fred Davies gave Bristol arguably their most impressive win of the season.
Sale, who had already qualified for the semi-finals but were chasing a home semi-final, scored three tries, a brace from Elliot Gourlay and one for his fellow winger Tom Roebuck.
Rugby reporters Sam Jess and John Evely take a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players on display....
15 Noah Heward - 8
The former Worcester man, was solid under the high ball but his main moment brought Ashton Gate to its feet as he lit up the stadium with his scorching pace.
with 15 minutes left of the first half left despite spilling a kick, he re-gathered and then step his way past the Shark defence. With the fullback now in the opposition half and in full flight he showed a great turn of pace to run in for a beautiful try, rounding former Bristol man Jason Woodward on his way to the line.
Also gave the final pass to set up Lloyd's second try of the night.
14. Ioan Lloyd - 9
Despite this being his first start on the wing the young Welsh flyer had a strong game with a beautiful hat trick
. A step and some strength proved too much for the Shark's defence as he went over from five meters for try number one, doing remarkably well to dot the ball down despite being wrapped up by three Sale men.
He was on hand for Bristol's third try with a neat finish in the same corner for his second, with a neck-breaking step to fool the defence.
And his third came on 38 minutes where his ability to hold his width meant the Bears were able to convert pressure into points thanks to some smooth handling across the backline.
It wasn't just his attacking work that was on show, with some great tackling denying Sale a chance to claw back the game. But it was the wholehearted way he went about chasing kicks which will have most pleased Pat Lam.
Highly deserving of a first team start on the wing which might just be his best position.
13. Harry Ascherl - 8
The former Bears Academy U18s skipper, now 21, had a strong game in the midfield as he used his 99kg to go effect to get over the gain line repeatedly to seemingly stun the normally dominantly physical Sale backs. A well-taken close-range try after a beautiful line was just one of his well-worked moments.
12. James Williams - 8
Took over kicking duties when Sheedy pulled up with cramp early on and did his duty well, slotting 4/6 from tee. Attacking flair and physical play in a brilliant display although a late yellow card for offside did cost the Bears but was more of an accumulative card as the home side were hanging on defence under significant pressure.
11. Henry Purdy - 7
In just his third start for the Bears since October, the winger was in some fine form showing beautiful handling skills, in-particular on 37 minutes where his offload to Ascherl put the Bears in full flow on their way to try number five.
Deceivingly evasive.
10. Callum Sheedy - 9
In his 150th appearance for the Bears, the Welsh international showed some great variation from 10, with inventive passes to break open the visitors' defence. His attacking style was back to what makes him special and it made the Bears tick despite not featuring much as a running threat himself.
Sheedy and AJ MacGinty must be neck and neck for the starting 10 jersey at the club.
9. Andy Uren - 8
After making his 150th appearance last time out, the scrum half struggled with his box kicks in the opening exchanges but was excellent in his attacking display. He ran great support lines and pace from the rucks allowed the hosts to show their attacking style. His break and support line set up the Bears bonus-point try as he played the role of the ultimate link man.
One his best displays of the season and the perfect way to put aside a disappointing display last time out.
1. Jake Woolmore (c) - 7
The experienced prop in his first start as captain was solid around the park but had a few handling errors. However, this slow start soon turned into positive play and he did well in the scrum.
2. Fred Davies - 7
Well-rounded performance in both attack and defence. He was was on hand to score Bristol's seventh try after a strong driving maul to cap a rare but impressive 70 minutes display from a player that much is hoped off having been a dominant figure in BUCs rugby for Durham last season.
Perhaps most impressively, considering it has been a problem for Bristol's hookers this season, his darts at the lineout were absolutely on point.
3. George Kloska - 8
Having played both hooker and loosehead the youngster showed what he can do at tighthead against very experienced opposition in England international Bevan Rodd. The academy product seems to be developing nicely but was replaced at half time.
4. Charlie Rice - 9
Despite his towering stature, the lock showed great mobility throughout the game and had a number of impressive handling moments and while his athletic skill and ability to punch holes carrying the ball earned him player of the match.
At 20 years-old and already 120kg he is very much one to watch over the next couple of years.
5. Ed Holmes - 8
Another experienced player in the pack started brightly with a great break down the wing after a pass from hooker Davies. His break caused Sale's Raffi Queke to infringe, sending him to the bin. Add to that a try on 34 minutes after a lovely break made from the Bears own 22 and it was an impressive return to the starting XV after a long injury layoff.
6. Joe Owen - 7
The blindside flanker was a strong day around the breakdown, while also showing his talent at the set piece and the ability to make an impact as a carrier.
7. Dan Thomas - 8
With a youthful pack alongside him, Thomas showed his seniority early on forcing the Sale pack into errors. After a bright physical few minutes, Thomas stepped it up with a fanatic display where he became involved in both attack and defence mostly harrowing the Shark side to win turnovers to allow his side to attack from deep while playing a link role to keep moves fluent.
A reminder of his best qualities.
8. Aaron Tull - 7
The victorious Premiership U18 league captain in just his fourth senior Bears appearance put in a great all-round performance with some powerful runs and key tackles.
Replacements
16. Jake Kerr - 6
Didn't have too much to do but was punished at scrum time.
17. Andrew Turner - 6
Came off the bench after 50 minutes and showed some bright moments although the scrum did start to turn in Shark's favour
18. Jay Tyack - 7
Decent outing but struggled at scrum time with Sale gaining dominance in the second forty
19. Paddy Pearce - 7
Came on for his debut with half an hour left and was solid in attack but struggled with the physicality of the Shark's maul was the guilty party for a Sale opportunity due to a pretty poor defensive read but his blushes were saved by a great tackle in the corner by Lloyd.
20. Macenzzie Duncan - 6
Frantic performance off the bench, some good some not so particularly his poor pass which led to Sale's third try.
21. Sam Lewis - 6
A quiet night, didn't make the impact Pat Lam would have wanted off the bench like many of the Bears' subs.
22. Oscar Lennon - 7
With Sale playing more of the ball the young nine was on more defensive duties including holding up a Shark chance.
23. Sam Worsley - 6
Another one with a quiet night, again as he failed to make the impact Lam would have wanted but it was great to see him back on the pitch after a long injury lay-off. Club insiders expect the fly-half could link up with England U20s before the end of the junior Six Nations championship.
