Rugby / Bristol Bears
Match report: Bristol Bears 44-27 London Irish
Mat Protheroe scored twice in three minutes as Bristol Bears made it back-to-back wins in the Premiership Cup with a bonus-point victory over London Irish at Ashton Gate.
The full back’s quick-fire double, including a quite sensational second, came in the final four minutes, as Pat Lam’s men shook off a slow start to run in five tries in an entertaining clash.
Caolan Englefield’s 20th-minute try edged Irish in front midway through the first-half, but Bristol soon took advantage of a yellow card to Ruan Botha, as Harry Thacker and first try for Nathan Hughes made it 17-8 at the break.
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Andy Uren touched down to extend that lead early in the second half, before a Ben Loader brace closed the gap to five points on the hour mark.
A third penalty from the faultless boot of Tiff Eden, who finished with a 19-point haul, gave Bristol some breathing space, while Protheroe sealed the deal with an impressive double in the closing stages.
Jack Cooke earned Irish a bonus-point with a breakaway try on 80 minutes, but it was mere consolation for the visitors, as Bristol made it two wins from two at Ashton Gate.
Main photo by JMP
Read more: Match report: Bristol Bears 20-17 Gloucester
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