Rugby / Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears start 2021 with victory against Newcastle
It was a day of firsts at Ashton Gate on New Year’s Day which finished with Bristol Bears climbing to the top of the Premiership table level on points with Exeter.
It should have been the first game back for fans at the stadium but the city being put back into tier three put pay to that.
Instead, in front of the all-too familiar empty stands, the first day of 2021 saw Bristol Bears beat Newcastle Falcons 29-17, with the game bursting into life after just 45 seconds with the first Bristol try for Ratu Naulago.
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There was also probably the best disallowed try you are ever likely to see, Nathan Hughes finishing off a flowing team move that went from one end of the pitch to the other before being ruled out for a forward pass from Semi Radradra:
Charles Piatau marked his first appearance since October with a try and was replaced in the second half by Luke Morahan making his first appearance in a Bears shirt this season.
The pick of Bristol’s tries came from Hughes who stormed over following a lineout routine straight from the training ground, while homegrown hooker George Kloska scored his debut Bears try in a memorable first start.
Callum Sheedy fortunately had his kicking boots on, with three conversions and one penalty, with Bears travelling to Exeter on January 9 for a top of the table clash between the two European champions.
A typical barnstorming run from Nathan Hughes – photo: JMP
Charles Piatau’s first match for Bristol since October – photo: JMP
Steven Luatua arrived at Ashton Gate on an electric scooter – photo: JMP
Main photo: JMP
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