Bristol Bears had their last hopes of silverware shattered at Ashton Gate as they were defeated 35-29 in the second leg of their Champions Cup round of 16 clash with Sale Sharks, as the visitors advanced to the quarter-finals 44-39 on aggregate.
Never-ending disciplinary errors alongside more plot twists than a John Grisham novel made for a captivating 80 minutes.
A Luke Morahan brace and tries from Harry Thacker and captain Joe Joyce highlighted Bristol’s game, but ultimately Sale’s refusal to go down despite losing winger Aaron Reed to a red card in the 34th minute following a high tackle on Morahan, proved too much to overcome as Rob du Preez’s excellence from the tee and tries from Lood de Jager, Akker van der Merwe, Tom Roebuck and Jono Ross, proved to be enough for the visitors to leave the victors.
Rugby reporter Nathan Russell gives his verdict on Bristol’s individual performers in a breathless battle at Ashton Gate.
READ MORE: Bristol Bears crash out of Europe against 14-man Sale Sharks
15. Rich Lane – 5
Making his European debut the on loan Bedford Blues full-back struggled under the high ball due to Sale's excellent kick chase, and did not offer very much to the game as his side struggled to impose himself throughout the first half.
Lane, who was spotted post match with his ankle in a space boot, was replaced at half time by Charles Piutau.
14. Luke Morahan – 8
It was a fantastic attacking shift from the Australian, who had defender’s hearts racing all evening with some tricky footwork, leading the game in metres made with 129 during his 80 minutes on the pitch.
The winger scored a brace of tries in the corner that certainly enhanced the enthralling nature of the clash the second of which really displayed his devasting top-end speed.
13. Piers O’Conor – 6
Decent defensively, and greatly helped conduct attacking opportunities for Bristol.
Consistent, but failed to truly put his stamp on the game.
12. Sam Bedlow – 6
His midfield pairing with O’Conor undeniably makes attacking down the centre incredibly difficult, with both men putting in respectable tackling figures in the past couple of games but Bedlow made a key mistake just before half time as he decided to join the maul defence and left the edge of the set-piece unguarded for van der Merwe to break off and run in untouched.
Offered too little with the ball in hand with 10 metres gained, albeit playing opposite Tuilagi.
11. Alapati Leiua – 7
Made a good impression in his 100th appearance in a Bristol shirt, with threatening carries and footwork tonight.
Did a good job in keeping attacks going as he offloaded confidently although got caught out under a couple of high balls.
10. Callum Sheedy – 8
The Welsh international had some wonderful moments, with a crucial turnover, some fantastic footwork and good goal kicking in his highlights
Bristol were impressive with the ball in hand, creating chances but crucially not finishing them, and thefly-half steered the back line nicely.
Led the game in offloads and put in his most dangerous running display of the season.
9. Harry Randall – 7
For the most part, it was a vast improvement on last week’s showing, demonstrating some wonderful vision and quick thinking with creative kicks.
Made a picture-perfect looping pass that put a try on a plate for Luke Morahan in the wide channel.
Had an odd moment as he competed for a cross-field ball with Tom Roebuck, appearing to pull the winger away from the ball. The error would ultimately allow Jono Ross to demonstrate some quick thinking and score a crucial try that gave Sale enough of a gap to see off the tie.
1. Jake Woolmore – 6
Led his side in tackles in what was a poor defensive performance from Bristol.
Scrum seemed to constantly move backwards as the pack struggled to match Sale’s size and might in the setpiece.
2. Jake Kerr – 4
Despite unluckily having a try ruled out due to a knock-on in the build-up the Scotland international had a display to forget as his basics let him down.
Dragged off before half time after some awful lineout throwing.
3. Kyle Sinckler – 5
Brought little to the game as he failed to make the impact we have come to expect from England’s first-choice tighthead.
A poor showing at scrum-time from the pack tonight.
4. Dave Attwood – 5
Another starter who struggled to make his mark.
Limited in carries and tackles today as the pack struggled against the strong Sale forwards and he departed at half time.
5. Joe Joyce - 8
A collection of minutes to be proud of for tonight’s captain.
Pressured with some barnstorming carries as well as a stylish spin around a tackler that would see the talisman go over for an important five-pointer that felt like a personal redemptive moment for the mistake that cost Bristol the game away at Saracens in the league.
One of the few players in the side who has kicked on again this season.
6. Fitz Harding – 7
Yet another tireless showing from the back rower, who continues to menace around the break down while pouncing quickly on attackers.
Got a block in on Faf, which is easier said than done. Unlucky to have a knock-on pulled up later in the play to deny Jake Kerr and early try for the Bears.
A commanding turnover to his name, ripping the ball in his own half to turn over in true clutch fashion.
7. Sam Jeffries – 6
Tackled assuredly in his 50th appearance for Bristol but it was his recovery to get back and dive on the ball after Akker van der Mer
Made some good metres despite restricted carrying opportunities.
8. Nathan Hughes – 5
A quieter day at the office by his meteoric standards.
The failed to make his usual impact as a carrier with just four metres gained in attack and had a limited accumulation of tackles, even if one of them happened to be a big one on Manu Tuilagi.
The former England man was also unable to stop South African World Cup-winning lock Lood de Jager powering over for Sale's first try of the night.
Replacements
16. Harry Thacker – 8
Simply has to return to the starting team after yet another superb showing from the bench.
Made a gargantuan steal in the Sale 22 that instantly set Bristol on the front foot, and led to Morahan’s first try.
Was beating defenders like a winger but also did exceptionally well to stay alive in a splintering maul to drive over the line for his try.
17. Yann Thomas – 6
18. John Afoa – 5
19. Steven Luatua – 6
Another case in which a player simply must return to the starting side. Bristol did not win the tie, so the experiment simply did not pay off as the All Black assisted Morahan’s second try and gained valuable metres.
20. John Hawkins – 3
While Hawkins did plenty of good things around the park including a great break through the middle of the Sale defence that almost led to a try his performance included two significant and costly errors, firstly he dropped the second half kick off to allow Roebuck to score after 12 seconds and then he was penalised for a high tackle and given 10 minutes in the sin bin.
21. Andy Uren – 6
What could have been? The scrum half made an instant impact and really should have scored a try in the corner with a few minutes left to play after making an excellent break but he knocked on trying to ground the ball over the line after a fantastic recovery tackle from Tommy Taylor.
22. Semi Radradra – 8
Played his role to absolute perfection, with just shy of three digits worth of metres (99m) in his half hour on the pitch
Every moment he had the ball in hand Bristol felt like a threat, while it’s easy to understand his value later in games a player of his calibre simply must start.
Unfortunate to have the ball ripped in a tackle that gave Sale the possession to see off the final minute of play, but that is not what will be remembered of the Fijian international’s performance tonight.
23. Charles Piutau – 8
Electric from the second he stepped foot on the pitch.
Unlucky to have a try ruled out by a forward pass in the build-up.
Had a real warrior moment as he predatorially chased down Luke James, before shovelling him into touch to a massive explosion of noise from the Ashton Gate faithful.
