By David Hibell
October 21 2004

Bradford & Bingley gave a very good account of themselves, but never had enough in the bank to see off the Shoguns. Despite the fact that they weren't firing on all cylinders the Shoguns were in charge for most of the game. Bradford and Bingley Bees started brightly and had the chance to open their account on two minutes, but the transaction was cancelled when the kick was missed.

Not to be put off they attacked again from the restart but Bristol were alert to the fac tthis wouldn't be a walkover now and turned over the bal to attack themselves, Jon Pritchard, Sam Cox and Saul Nelson all makeing early ground.

On six minutes Danny Gray had a chance to deposit some pointson the board but his kick waspushed to the right.

Bradford and Bingley were able to deposit the first points on the board after ten minutes after Bristol werepenalised when play had been brought back to their twenty two having given away a scrum deep into Bradford and Bingley territory.

Bristol were unable to reply straight away as skiper Matt Slater needed treatment afgter being in obvious pain, the physios having to cheque his neck for several minutes. Ollie obviously wanted to confirm Salts was okay as at the next line out Bristol had he called the throw to Matt. Salts easily claims the line out and Bristol take play on into the 22 but the covering Bradford and Bingley full back slices his clearance kick. With the referee playing advantage to Bristol Danny Gray looks to run the ball but is felled by a high tackle.

Danny kicks the resultant penalty to the five yard line, Bristol win the line out and force Bradford and Bingley to concede a penalty. Danny makes no mistake this time and Bristol move out of the red after 27 minutes.

Bradford and Bingley kick the restart long as they did for most of the game, and though Bradford and Bingley win their line out they are forced into touch after attacking down the wing. From the line out in their own 22 Sean Marsden makes a break, feeds Simon Hunt who jinks past several players inside the bees 22 before the scoring pass to Sean Marsden who dives in under the posts, breaking his nose in the process. Danny Gray adds the conversion and Bristol are in credit on the scoreboard for the first time, 10 - 3.

With Rob Higgit coming on for Sean as a blood replacement, Jon Pritchard covering at full back calls a mark deep in the Bristol 22 before running the ball back, however Bristol are penalised and tom Rhodes reduces the deficit to 10 -6.

Bristol were soon able to extend the lead, moving the ball wide after several phases of play with Simon Hunt prominent in the build up feeding Sean Marsden, back on the field after treatment, who put Marco over in the corner.

As half time approached the Bees had possibly their best chance of a try after the scrum half fielded a stray kick from the restart, skipping past the attempted tackle of Ollie Hodge and passing to the Bees full back who straightened the line drawing the man before floating his attempted scoring pass into touch.

But the ref blew for half time and the Shoguns went off to receive an almighty rocket from Richard Hill.

Bradford and Bingley started the second half and the Shoguns looked to play the game in the Bees half, kicking the ball back at them. The Bees kicked back and Bristol broke down the left wing, Simon Hunt showing his pace to burst through and then his strength to keep going with several of the Bees hanging off of him.

The Bees were able to clear though but only as far as full back Sean Marsden who fielded the ball and made a telling break down the left wing. With his way blocked Marsden drew the man and floated a pass out to the wing butthe supporting players hadn't kept up with play and the pass floated agonisingly in front of them. Bristol were able to keep possession though and won a penalty which was kicked to the right corner. A well executed catch and drive saw the forwards rumble over the line and captain Salter was credited with the try, Dannys conversion attempt passing the posts on the wrong side.

The Bees had a good position after a Bristol handling error and were awarded afree kick but were not able to keep hold of the ball, knocking on in the tackle, and Danny GRay was able to put a hug touch finder in, running out of his twenty two, the bal bouncing out on the Bees five yard line, but the Bees won their line out and were able to clear to half way where Marsden took the ball on looking to make the break. He was stopped by an almighty tackle from the replacement Bees full back, but Bristol retained possession and moved the ball right but were pinged for a crossing offence. As Rob Higgit again came on for Marsden as he went off for more attention to his nose the Bees kicked to touch for a line out.

A huge clearance kick from Marco took play into the Bees half and Bristol had another catch and drive from a five yard line out, but this time the Bees defence held firm.

On the hour mark Richard Hill withdrew both half backs and Jon Pritchard and sent on Rob Higgit, Jason Strange and Ross Blake.