By Duncan Wood
December 15 2002

Daryl Gibson wrote himself into Bristol Shoguns European Cup history with a fine hat trick. Bristol got their own back for the controversial defeat last week with a 5 try steam rollering of the All Whites.

Bristol completely outplayed Swansea from the off and the All Whites were slightly flattered by the final score.

Bristol started with Shane Drahm at fly half as Felipe Contepomi suffered a perforated ear drum last weekend but, if Swansea thought that would weaken the Bristol team, they were mistaken. The Aussie was set to have a fine game.

Bristol had a dream start. Agustin Pichot chipped into the Swansea 22 and Matthew Robinson could only clear as far as Ross Beattie. Beattie fed Daryl Gibson who wrong footed Robinson with a great angled run and went over in the left hand corner. 25 seconds had passed. Drahm converted from the touchline to make it 7-0.

Bristol continued to press and seemed to have the upper hand all over the pitch. Drahm added penalties after 6 and 8 minutes to extend the lead to 13-0 and Swansea seemed fixated on using the up and under from Gavin Henson as their only tactic.

Henson did pull 3 points back with a penalty from wide out on the left after 16 minutes but Swansea really were offering little in attack. Bristol were continuing to look dangerous and Drahm was oozing confidence. He attempted one penalty attempt from several metres inside his own half and had plenty of distance but dragged the kick slightly left. He was succesful with an easier attempt to make it 16-3.

But Bristol strung together a fine move on the half hour to extend their lead. The ball was moved right and Matt Salter tipped the ball onto Garath Archer who recyled the ball. Good hands moved the ball onto Gibson on the left wing who didn't seem to have much room to move. However, the Kiwi shrugged off a tackle and went over in the same corner as before. Drahm converted and it was 23-3.

Bristol weren't done and camped in the Swansea 22 as the half ticked away. Their reward was another Drahm penalty and a 26-3 half time lead.

If Swansea thought Bristol would let up, they were mistaken as the Shoguns struck immediately in the second half. Drahm intelligently drilled a grubber towards the Swansea line. Richard Rees went back but dithered fatally. Andrew Higgins flew in, gathered the ball in and slid over. Drahm missed but it was 31-3 to Bristol.

The Shoguns were rampant and Swansea had no answer. Bristol steamed into the Swansea 22 and and recycled the ball several times. The ball went right and that man Gibson had the luxury of ignoring David Rees outside him and diving over for his hat trick. Drahm missed so it was 36-3.

Bristol gifted Swansea a score from the kickoff when Drahm's clearance was charged down. It gave Swansea a platform under the Bristol posts and Gavin Henson was able to stretch his way over although he missed a relatively simple conversion. 36-8.

Arwel Thomas came off the bench for Henson and kicked a simple penalty although the crowd booed Swansea for their lack of ambition. 36-11.

Bristol weren't finished as forwards and backs combined and David Rees made an incisive break. Agustin Pichot picked the ball up and gleefully sprinted through a gap and slid his way over untouched. Drahm's conversion hit the post but the game was won. 41-11.

The game went into a lull as Bristol seemed to take their foot off the pedal and Peter Thorburn used his replacements bench to the full. Frustratingly, the referee also seemed to give Swansea a route back into the game and made some bizarre decisions.

Andrew Farley went over from close range and then Arwel Thomas ghosted through a gap to make the final score 41-23 which frankly flattered the Welshmen.

Bristol's attitude was spot on and they handled the ball superbly in wet conditions. The forwards established a platform up front and Pichot and Drahm were able to dictate the game. The lineout was excellent and the scrum looked to have the edge continually.

The Shoguns's defence was superb until late on with Higgins and Gibson shutting down the midfield and the forwards working hard around the fringes.

The Shoguns got their revenge for last week and sent the All Whites back over the Severn Bridge empty handed. It was a hugely impressive performance and the squad can take a lot of heart from today.