Joe Batley, a man who has beaten cancer and seen his former club Worcester Warriors collapse into the financial abyss to become jobless in recent month only to return to his former club Bristol was the man who inspired the Bears to a famous 26-18 victory over South Africa A.
The lock never took a backwards step as he and the Bristol pack managed to live with the physicality of the visitors and then struck through their elusive backs.
With every big penalty win, forced knock on and momentum turning moment, Batley exploded with a roar that could be heard over the din of more than 26,000 Bristolians inside Ashton Gate, who sent the decibels through the roof when encouraged by their cheerleader in Chief from the second row.
