Bristol Bears secured a morale-boosting 30-12 bonus point win over Newcastle Falcons in miserable conditions at Ashton Gate on Friday night thanks to an 82nd minute try by man of the match Fitz Harding.
The much-needed win saw Bristol move off the bottom of the Premiership and overtake both Newcastle and Bath to sit ninth in the table overnight.
Scrum-half Harry Randall scored two of their tries, Chris Vui and Harding the others with James Williams adding two penalties and two conversions. Gary Graham and Jamie Blamire scored Newcastle’s tries.
Rugby writer Archie Connolly takes a closer look at the individual performance from the Bristol players
15. Noah Heward – 7
Scored a stunner in the Prem Cup win over Sale but started nervously, spilling a high ball on his first touch to gift territory to the visitors. However, bounced back well and countered with interest which created the quick ball which led to Harry Randall’s try.
Also highlighted his offloading ability with an outrageous offload to find Siva Naulago and get the Bears out of trouble.
After a nervy start the full-back settled well and defused situations well in the backfield as well as being an attacking weapon, particularly as a runner, ended up with 65 metres from 11 carries and is certainly an asset for the Bears going forward.
14. Siva Naulago – 7
Offers a real dynamism to the Bears attack. Shrugged his opposite number with ease with his first carry and was solid in defence, causing havoc in the kick chase.
Looked to have made an error when not passing at the start of the second half but thankfully Bristol remained calm and they score their third.
Overall though was a good showing from the winger who made 58 metres from seven carries in another encouraging display.
Replaced by Ioan Lloyd on 53 minutes.
13. Semi Radradra – 8
Crossed the gain line the most of anyone in Round 16 and started in the same vein here bumping off his opposite men and setting Luatua away for a dangerous attack moments in.
Continued to ignite attacks and oozed class throughout the first half.
Had less ball but still had some key touches, including a delightful pass to Heenan who should have sent Ibitoye in for a bonus point score.
12. James Williams – 7
Has impressed on his latest outings in the side but tasked with kicking duties the centre failed to make a regulation conversion following the Harry Randall try. Made amends after the Vui try but overall had a quiet first half.
Nerveless with a penalty just before the break which gave the hosts a 15-7 lead going into half time.
Again, quiet in open play in the second half but demonstrated his powerful boot to nail a penalty nearly 50 metres out to give the Bears a 25-12 lead with just over ten minutes to go.
11. Gabriel Ibitoye – 6
Did not enjoy much ball early on but showed what he can do in defence, marshalling the explosive Adam Radwan with aplomb in a one versus one situation.
The winger could not quite impact proceedings as he would have liked and midway through the second period he was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, inviting Newcastle back into the game and they took advantage straight away as Jamie Blaimaire scored in the corner.
10. AJ MacGinty – 9
Started well looking to run and test the defensive line. This threat created the try, as the American sauntered through a gap before offloading to Batley who subsequently found Harry Randall for the opening try of the game.
Played with a real authority in the first half and a delicate kick in behind pinned the Falcons back inside their own 22 to put the pressure on the visitors.
Continued in fine form at the start of the second half seizing a loose ball and setting the Bears on the attack which eventually led to Randall’s second of the game.
Not as much attacking opportunity in the second period but the American along with Randall helped take control of the game and made sure the game was played away from Bristol’s line as the Bears secured only their second victory since Round 3.
9. Harry Randall – 9
Excellent.
Began with tempo and control causing confusion in the Falcons backfield before setting the game alight as he ran a great support line to gather the ball and score a cracking try.
Gave the side plenty of zip and tempo in attack and after Naulago looked like he had bombed a certain score the scrum half reset the attack before sniping over for his second to give the Bears the perfect start to the second period.
The game became a little bit scrappy but the scrumhalf managed the game superbly in the wet conditions and with Bristol a man down, he was a key factor in his side getting a much needed win.
Came off on the last play to a deserved standing ovation from the Ashton Gate faithful.
1. Jake Woolmore – 7
Limited impact in the loose but enjoyed a competitive battle in the scrum and bounced back after being penalised to earn a penalty of his own which led to another infringement which allowed Williams to extend the lead. Also made six tackles in the first half missing none.
Earned his side a crucial penalty at the scrum with Newcastle pressing to reduce the deficit further.
2. Harry Thacker – 6
An indifferent display.
Busy early on but despite running a great line was isolated and turned over as Bears pressed the Falcons line. Heavily involved in the second score creating quick ball from a nice tap penalty move, which led to Vui’s try.
The lineout has been an issue which has plagued the Bears season and a wayward throw from Thacker was rightly called not straight, and let the Falcons escape up field.
Linked play as well as ever but was let down by some sloppy moments and thankfully another poor lineout at the death was let off by Fitz Harding’s try.
3. Max Lahiff – 7
Worked hard making seven tackles missing none in the first period and along with Woolmore fought hard in the scrum trading penalties. Also made one big carry which made eight metres as Bristol attacked the Falcons line.
Carried well when called upon and was secure at the scrum throughout and was resolute in defence making 10 tackles without missing any in a decent evening’s work.
Replaced by George Kloska on 68 minutes.
4. Joe Batley – 9
Began fantastically, getting up to steal a Falcons lineout on halfway and get the Bears back in promising field position. Then showed his ability in the loose, latching on to a Macginty pass before finding Randall with a superb pass for the Bears first try.
Without doubt a standout on the night. Impressed throughout with his physicality and was a menace to the Falcons, summed up by a superb charge down to give the Bears ball deep in the Falcons half inside the last 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, came off limping and Bristol will hope it is not as bad as it first looks, as the lock has been in excellent form recently.
Replaced by Jake Heenan on 72 minutes.
5. Chris Vui – 7
Did not let his lock partner have all the plaudits for long and after a neat tap penalty move he demonstrated his power to barge over the line as the Bears retook the lead.
The lock was alive throughout and unfortunately his turnover led to nothing as the Bears looked to hit back following Blaimire’s try.
However, let himself down with a poor handling error which relieved all pressure on the Falcons with the Bears deep in the visitors’ territory.
Overall, though was a good showing from the second row and finished having made seven tackles missing none as well as his try.
Replaced by Ed Holmes on 65 minutes.
6. Steven Luatua – 8
The captain worked well in the wide channels linking well with Radradra and made 22 metres from three carries in an impressive first half.
Really good in defence and put in a great shot early in the second half which was unlucky not to yield a turnover and piled the pressure on Newcastle.
Along with Fitz Harding led from the front in defence, in total making 14 tackles and was another who enjoyed a good night as the Bears got back to winning ways.
7. Fitz Harding – 9
Outstanding.
Quieter in attack than other forwards but was defensively outstanding. His industry and effort were summed up by a miraculous tackle where he held up Gary Graham to deny him and Newcastle a second try moments before half-time.
Continued his remarkable work rate, finished having made 20 tackles and just when the Bears thought the chance had gone the flanker gathered the ball and dove over the line to secure a massive bonus-point win for the Bristol Bears.
A great showing from the flanker.
8. Magnus Bradbury – 6
Struggled early on and twice gave the Falcons easy territory from kick-offs inviting pressure onto the Bears. Responded well though and charged down a box kick to keep the Falcons in their own half.
Largely subdued from the number eight.
Replacements:
16. Fred Davies – N/A
Not on long enough to give a fair rating but it was great to see the hooker make his Premiership debut.
17. Yann Thomas – N/A
18. George Kloska – N/A
19. Ed Holmes – 6
Would have been disappointed with the ball he dropped but did fine in his cameo making a couple of good tackles and carries.
20. Jake Heenan – 6
Did ok in a brief spell but really had to pass to Ibitoye and squandered possession in promising field position.
21. Andy Uren – N/A
Not on long enough to give a fair rating.
22. Harry Ascherl – N/A
23. Ioan Lloyd – 7
The hat-trick hero from last time out came on for Naulago on 53 minutes.
Got away with a dodgy kick but also showed great footwork on a couple of occasions to set away Bradbury and Randall, demonstrating his quality. Excellent work turning a couple of poor kicks into positives for his side by winning the battle in the air, tapping the ball back to his team mates.
Unable to stop Jamie Balmire powering over in the corner after breaking down the blindside from a maul.
