Ellis Genge cemented his place in Bristol Bears folklore on his homecoming with two tries as the Bears began from behind to claim a 31-29 victory over derby rivals Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate.
Bath looked to be heading towards what would have been a famous victory but a late try from Will Capon which was converted by an ice-cool AJ MacGinty with less than a minute to play; but there was still time for more drama as Bath fly-half Piers Francis pushed a long-range drop goal narrowly to the left of the uprights with the final play of the game.
Following the death of the Queen on Thursday a minute’s silence was held in her honour, with the national anthem sung immediately afterward to pay tribute to the new King. This eagerly anticipated Premiership opener was originally scheduled for Friday night but was pushed back by a day, resulting in no television match official being available and without the eagle eye in the truck the game repeatedly bubbled over into niggle off the ball.
