Winning on the road anywhere in Europe is always an arduous task. Winning away in France is almost “c’est impossible”. Our victory at Stade Aime Giral will undoubtedly go down in Bear country history as one of the greatest road trips so far.
A neutral might add that this is a Perpignan side currently sitting 13th in the French Top 14, but we must remember that this is the current elite league in the northern hemisphere, a championship that carries more bling than the Kardashians. We must also consider that the four wins Perpignan have had this season have all been at home.
I thought Pat Lam would choose a strong team for this one and so it proved. The way we started off the blocks was impressive with two tries in the opening 12 minutes, and what an achievement for our young academy centre Joe Jenkins who followed up recently becoming the clubs youngest starter in the Premiership by scoring a try on his European debut.
As much as the first half impressed me, it was the second half defensive effort that warmed the cockles of my heart. Bears supporters will agree that defensively we have been poor this season, but credit where credit is due we stood up to the onslaught and for the most part kept our discipline and rode the storm to get over the finishing line. Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson himself would have been proud.
It’s always sad when a player leaves BS3 to go to pastures new, but I was particularly upset this week at the upcoming departure of the Wizard of Oz, Luke Morahan.
The challenges of managing the salary cap has resulted in us losing someone who has epitomised the team player ethos. Brilliant in attack and solid in defence, he has provided us with so many great memories since joining in 2017, we will all have our favourite but for me personally it has to be when he took England international Jonny May on the outside and made him look like a complete novice.
There is a saying in Bristol, "Once a Bear, always a Bear" and all of us at Bears Beyond The Gate personally wish him and his family all the best on their new adventure. Up The Bears!
You can listen to Bears Beyond the Gate on all major podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify and Buzzsprout
