Rugby / Bristol Bears
Bristol narrowly beat Bath for first win of season
It took a captain’s performance from Steven Luatua to awaken Bristol Bears from their early season slumber.
The New Zealand number eight even performed a swan dive as he crossed the line in the first half for Bristol’s first try of the match
It prompted a comeback which ended in a hard-fought 25-20 victory for Pat Lam’s men.
is needed now More than ever
The old swagger isn’t quite back yet, but there is certainly now a saunter, personified by Harry Randall coming within a whisker of scoring after a counter-attack which took Bristol the length of the pitch.
The second half had a penalty try, a disallowed try and then an immediate try for Jake Kerr, two yellow cards for Bath, and a roar that could probably be heard in Redfield when the final whistle blew.
“We’ve just beaten Bath 25-nil!” shouted stadium announcer and Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast co-host Ian Downs as the players were making their way around the Ashton Gate pitch.
It was not that easy a victory. But it was easy to see how Downsy could get so carried away.
For Bristol fans, the visit of Bath is undoubtedly the biggest game of the season. And a win is a win.
With England head coach Eddie Jones among the 23,438 spectators, Bristol got their first W of this Gallagher Premiership season.
There will hopefully be lots more to come.
Main photo: JMP
Read more: Near sell-out crowd expected at Ashton Gate for Bristol Bears vs Bath
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