Despite a cascade of injuries and a lackluster offensive display, Bristol Bears scraped together a gritty 18-14 win against Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate. With crucial tries from Viliame Mata and Gabriel Oghre, complemented by kicks from Tom Jordan and Sam Worsley, Bristol managed to eke out a victory. On the other hand, Exeter Chiefs, despite their dominance and tries from Henry Slade and Ben Hammersley, will rue the missed opportunities that slipped through their fingers.
The Bears, undeniably underpowered and off their usual pace, still clinched the win, a fact that left head coach Pat Lam beaming. "This kind of win is massive for us, especially when we're not at full strength," Lam expressed, highlighting the importance of grinding out results amidst adversity.
"This kind of win is massive for us, especially when we're not at full strength,"
Exeter's frustration was palpable as they failed to convert their late-game pressure into points, a testament to Bristol's resilience. A pivotal moment came when Exeter wrongly executed a line-out play, leading to a disallowed try—a blunder that proved costly as Bristol cleared their lines and secured the win with a long-range penalty from Worsley.
The match also saw Tom Jordan, stepping in for the injured AJ MacGinty, leave the field early due to a red card incident. Despite being a man down, Bristol's determination didn't waver, encapsulating the fighting spirit required to overcome such setbacks.
Further concern for Bristol came as Ellis Genge, fresh from the Lions tour, limped off injured after a key involvement that led to Oghre's try from a lineout. This incident not only dimmed the victory but also sparked worries for England's upcoming fixtures. "Every point counted today, and despite the injury, I'm proud of how the boys held on," noted Lam, underlining the duel impact of the moment.
"Every point counted today, and despite the injury, I'm proud of how the boys held on,"
As Bristol navigates its injury woes and tactical shifts, this match will stand as a testament to their resilience and ability to seize victory from the jaws of defeat. Meanwhile, Exeter will be left analyzing what could have been, as they let a golden chance to climb the Prem table slip away. The match not only highlighted the unpredictability of rugby but also set the stage for a season where every moment can tip the scales.
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Despite a cascade of injuries and a lackluster offensive display, Bristol Bears scraped together a gritty 18-14 win against Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate. With crucial tries from Viliame Mata and Gabriel Oghre, complemented by kicks from Tom Jordan and Sam Worsley, Bristol managed to eke out a victory. On the other hand, Exeter Chiefs, despite their dominance and tries from Henry Slade and Ben Hammersley, will rue the missed opportunities that slipped through their fingers.
The Bears, undeniably underpowered and off their usual pace, still clinched the win, a fact that left head coach Pat Lam beaming. "This kind of win is massive for us, especially when we're not at full strength," Lam expressed, highlighting the importance of grinding out results amidst adversity.
"This kind of win is massive for us, especially when we're not at full strength,"
Exeter's frustration was palpable as they failed to convert their late-game pressure into points, a testament to Bristol's resilience. A pivotal moment came when Exeter wrongly executed a line-out play, leading to a disallowed try—a blunder that proved costly as Bristol cleared their lines and secured the win with a long-range penalty from Worsley.
The match also saw Tom Jordan, stepping in for the injured AJ MacGinty, leave the field early due to a red card incident. Despite being a man down, Bristol's determination didn't waver, encapsulating the fighting spirit required to overcome such setbacks.
Further concern for Bristol came as Ellis Genge, fresh from the Lions tour, limped off injured after a key involvement that led to Oghre's try from a lineout. This incident not only dimmed the victory but also sparked worries for England's upcoming fixtures. "Every point counted today, and despite the injury, I'm proud of how the boys held on," noted Lam, underlining the duel impact of the moment.
"Every point counted today, and despite the injury, I'm proud of how the boys held on,"
As Bristol navigates its injury woes and tactical shifts, this match will stand as a testament to their resilience and ability to seize victory from the jaws of defeat. Meanwhile, Exeter will be left analyzing what could have been, as they let a golden chance to climb the Prem table slip away. The match not only highlighted the unpredictability of rugby but also set the stage for a season where every moment can tip the scales.