Rugby / Bristol Bears

Bears put to bed Harlequins hoodoo

By Martin Booth  Sunday Mar 12, 2023

Having started watching the game from the top tier of the Lansdown Stand, Pat Lam was pitch side for the next 40 minutes and he came out of his seat when Harry Thacker was substituted with half an hour left to give him a warm embrace.

The hooker had scored two tries in a frenetic first period against Harlequins in which Bristol had already secured a bonus point.

And the tries kept on coming as the Bears well and truly put to bed their Harlequins hoodoo, winning 51-26 with Charles Piatau also scoring a brace, and Gabriel Ibitoye, Semi Radradra and Harry Randall joining Thacker on the scoresheet.

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Last season, Bristol’s hopes of Premiership glory came crashing down here at Ashton Gate at the hands of Harlequins.

Adverts for the Premiership final at Twickenham in May were on display around the perimeter of the stadium on Sunday afternoon.

What seemed beyond the realms of possibility at the start of this year has just got one step closer.

Gabriel Ibitoye crosses the line for Bristol Bears – photo: JMP

Main photo: JMP

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