Bristol Bears' suffered their tenth defeat of the Premiership season on Friday night as Worcester Warriors battled to a 19-14 victory at Sixways.
Worcester exploded out of the blocks to score two quick tries through their cutting backs.
Outstanding British and Irish Lions winger Duhan van der Merwe touched down the first in just the fourth minute after racing onto a perfectly weighted kick in behind the Bears defence from full back Jamie Shillcock.
A barnstorming carry from man of the match Sione Vailanu after 18 minutes got Warriors to within a few metres of the try line and after patient play the ball was worked down the blindside for skipper Ashley Beck to simply beat his marker - Theo Strang - one-on-one and power over.
Young fly-hlaf Fin Smith converted both.
Bristol made amends for a terrible opening quarter, littered with handling errors, by scoring twice before the interval with short-range pick and go drives through skipper Steven Luatua and tighthead prop Max Lahiff. Callum Sheedy, back from Six Nations duty with Wales landed both the conversions.
In the second half the Bears were starved of possession and once again failed to capitalise on their opportunities, whereas Worcester finish through standout number eight Vailanu who ran through two attempted tackles to what proved to be a decisive try in the corner.
Rugby reporter Nathan Russell takes a closer look at the individual Bristol Bears player performances at Sixways.....
15. Ioan Lloyd – 7
Is there anyone in the Premiership who’s worn more different shirt numbers in a single season than Ioan Lloyd? His versatility is unrivalled across the league as he put in a shift not only at fullback today, but scrum-half after replacement nine Toby Venner suffered a knee injury. For anyone wondering that means he has now played every single position across the backline.
He did a great job in making valuable metres as he continued to be the spark Bristol needed in attack at points but got turned over on a couple of key occasions in the first quarter.
In a horrible mismatch no full back wants, Lloyd was unable to stop big number eight Vailanu for his game-winning try as the last line of defence coming across which will be a disappointment considering he has done so much work on his defence.
14. Jack Bates – 5
It was always going to be a tough day at the office with Duhan van der Merwe in his channel, but he stood up pretty well to the challenge.
His yellow card following a deliberate knock-on could have proved more costly, but his team-mates saved his blushes with some valiant defence in his absence.
Made a nice break down the wing from deep in his own half with the final play of the game to give the Bears a chance to snatch victory only for the ball to be knocked on by Alapati Leiua moments later.
13. Semi Radradra. – 7
The centre is still oddly exceptional by normal standards but slightly disappointing considering the heights we know he can reach.
The Fijian bulldozed his way through the defensive line to great success, as well as keeping seemingly dead plays going with some traditionally innovative offloading but failed to make a line break and was one of those Bristol players who coughed up the ball in key positions with a big knock on a couple of metres out from the line in the first half.
12. Piers O’Conor – 6
Led the backline in defence with some assured tackling in his minutes. Prevented breaks across the centre as his centre pairing with Radradra continues to prove productive but was withdrawn in the 52nd minute for Antoine Frisch with a slight injury concern.
11. Alapati Leiua – 7
His steps inside proved tricky to handle as he controlled his channel along the left wing with authority and flair.
Unlucky to drop the ball in Bristol’s final attacking stand but he was a senior international who was guilty of unnecessarily overcomplicating things. Moments earlier he was guilty of ending a promising Bears attack as an intricate out the back offload drifted forwards. His thinking of getting the ball away to the men in space with quick hands was sound but the execution was lacking.
10. Callum Sheedy – 6
Ensured the midfield got a fair bit of ball today, and kicked well from the tee when called upon finishing with two from two but the Welsh international was bumped off by Sione Vailanu’s Hulk-like game-winning try in the second half and in truth was terrorised in defence throughout the game as Warriors repeatedly sent big runners down his channel to good success.
Provided a running threat.
9. Theo Strang – 5
Sent on his holidays by Ashley Beck’s dummy for the opposition’s second try as he made his first Premiership start.
Enjoyed his half back pairing with Sheedy, but a couple of missed tackles proved costly however the basics of his game were sound with a crisp pass that found its target every time and some accurate box kicking.
Due for plenty more game time with his replacement Toby Venner getting injured.
1. Yann Thomas – 5
Struggled to make his stamp on the game today as he struggled to make metres over the gain line while the missed tackles also stacked up.
However, Thomas was seemingly missed in the scrum after departing at half time.
2. Jake Kerr – 5
The lineout was solid today as he put both Holmes and Vui to good use although the overthrow with Bristol poised to strike from 5m out on the stroke of half time potentially cost the Bears the game.
Replaced shortly following halftime.
3. Max Lahiff – 8
Showed off his trademark mammoth strength with a thunderous carry that saw him overcome three tacklers as he touched down for his side’s second of the game, with his frontrow teammate Yann Thomas latching onto his hip to provide some extra power.
His defensive efforts were fantastic in his minutes with 12 tackles and no misses in his 57-minute display.
The scrum disintegrated after his departure with Ashley Challenger struggling at the coal face.
4. Ed Holmes – 6
A regular contributor to Bristol’s carrying game, making it over the gain line more often than not. A reliable receiver for Kerr and Thacker at the line out.
5. Chris Vui – 7
It was a great defensive effort from the Samoan as his physicality proved valuable at points in the game. Controlled the airways as he lead the game in lineout receptions.
Having just signed a four-year contract extension the lock is clearly full of confidence as he locked to replicate the stunning behind the back pass he executed in the Champions Cup last month but on this occasion, the millionaire offload was too difficult for Dan Thomas to take and the easier option of drawing a man and popping a pass would have better.
Don't get me wrong, we are lauding him as a genius if it works, but it was a moment that sums up the Bears this season it was a high risk option that failed in its execution.
6. Steven Luatua - 7
Caught Matt Garvey napping around the edge of a ruck as he touched down for Bristol’s first try of the day from short range.
Left the field early with his troublesome calf tightening and as ever the skipper was missed when off the field.
7. Dan Thomas – 8
A real iron man performance from the Welshman as his tireless defensive efforts were fantastic, leading the game in tackles. Some good breakdown work with a couple of turnovers to his name as well.
He was thoroughly deserving of finishing on the winning side.
8. Fitz Harding – 8
A multi-faceted performance from the back-rower as he showed off some exciting carries to notch up 79m while also being one of the game's tackling leaders.
Unlike in recent weeks though he failed to be clinical, making a fabulous break in the first half, cutting and weaving his way into the Worcester 22 before getting caught by full back Jamie Shillcock only to lose possession as he attempted a difficult offload which failed to stick.
BT Sport commentator Austin Healy said: "One more phase there and Bristol score." He was right.
The turnover over was one of three for the young number eight.
His work rate is unquestionable though, as similarly to his back row partners, he well and truly emptied the gas tank in an effort to get his side over the line.
Replacements
16. Harry Thacker – 7
17. Jake Woolmore – 5
18. Ashley Challenger – 5
19. Joe Joyce – 5
20. Sam Jeffries – 6
21. Toby Venner – 6
22. Antoine Frisch – 6
23. Henry Purdy – 6
