Bristol
BRISTOL SEIZE SPOILS IN TEN TRY THRILLER
Yellow Card
By Ian Todd
November 3 2013
An entertaining game saw Bristol come out on top scoring six tries to Plymouth Albion's four. A late penalty saw the hosts grab two well deserved bonus points whilst Bristol just about climbed to the top of the table.
Plymouth made a dream start to the game with Cusack breaking the Bristol defence and the ball was sped out to Bowen who sprinted over for a converted try. It looked as if George Watkins had hit back almost immediately out wide, but play was called back for a very marginal forward pass. Albion were unfazed and continued to pin the visitors back. Elder made a good break and popped the ball out to Arnott who sped over beneath the posts for another converted try.
Bristol did manage some play of their own, but the initial efforts lacked penetration and the home defence looked comfortable. However, Bristol capitalised ruthlessly on an Albion error when a defensive lineout was overthrown. Ben Skirving, starting in the back row, picked up the loose ball and romped over for his first Bristol try. Nicky Robinson was off target with the conversion effort, but Bristol were back in it at 14 – 5.
Not for long though when a sloppy pass was intercepted by Bowen who showed a clean pair of heals to the wrong footed defence. Cusack converted to take his side to 21 – 5. Bristol attempted to strike back and an excellent lineout drive took play right up to the Albion line. It seemed easy to score than not but inexplicably instead of keeping play tight the ball was passed out wide and the opportunity missed.
Just before half time Bristol were handed another golden chance when Arnott was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on (and he was offside!). Once more Bristol showed their ruthless edge by kicking for touch. The drive took play on, before Watkins lunged over in the corner. Robinson converted superbly. But that wasn’t the last action of the half. More good lineout work and some neat passing freed Watkins who showed his strength to break the tackle and streak in from distance. Another good conversion meant that Bristol went in at halftime just two points behind.
Bristol had taken full advantage of the depleted Albion ranks to haul themselves back into a game that appeared to be running away, but the hosts had other ideas and started the second period in determined style. Another sloppy piece of passing was picked up by Stephen who was well supported by Bowen who went in for his third try of the game. The conversion made it 28 – 19.
A flood of Bristol replacements showed the value of a large squad and, unusually, the ‘understudies’ gave greater energy to Bristol play instead of the more typical disruption. Twice Bristol took play up to the Albion line without managing the crucial breakthrough. At last Robinson wriggled his way over beneath the posts and converted his own try. Again Bristol were just two points behind.
And then Bristol went ahead for the first time in the game. Good work from the forwards won possession and Bristol launched an excellent attack that sucked in defenders and Watkins scored the second hat-trick of the afternoon when he dived over beneath the posts for a converted try.
It was a stunning reversal and Albion tried to hit back in a series of frantic moves. It looked as if Grace had made his way over the line, but this time it was the hosts who were called back for a forward pass, much to the relief of the Bristol supporters.
Instead, it was the visiting side that posted the next score in another flowing move with great handling skills. Bryan Rennie plunged over. However, the determination of Ben Mosses in the immediate build-up had cost him a serious looking injury an play was held up for several minutes as he received treatment. Robinson was off target when the conversion was eventually taken. The miss meant that a very late long range penalty from Elder took Albion back into losing bonus point territory as the game ended at 31 – 38.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:11:09:57:29 by SenorJuan.
Semper Sersum.
