By David Hibell
February 12 2004

On a gorgeous sunny day Bristol met Orrell for the third time this season with the series level at one apiece, the previous matches had all been close affairs and this one was to prove the closest of the lot. Just as in the previous home match, against Coventry, Bristol were again to finish one point away from their visitors, but this time they were to emerge the losers.

Orrell set their stall out early doors electing to run a very kickable penalty in the second minute and the tactic paid dividends with them setting up field position deep inside the Bristol 22. A chip ahead was fielded by Paul Hodgson apparently in dead ball territory but the referee signalled that it had been carried into touch and awarded Orrell a five yard scrum.

Bristols defence held firm but Orrell were awarded another scrum, Gareth Cattle broke right and slipped an inside pass to Nick Easter and the number eight crossed for the try which was easily converted by winger Leigh Hinton.

Bristol were able to attack for the first time with five minutes on the clock and werew awarded a penalty, Brett Davey kicked play to inside the Orrell twenty two, clean line out ball was won and the forwards were able to drive on. Orrell infringed and Bristol were awarded a further penalty. Bristol again elected to kick and won a line out on the Orrell five yard line but were let down by handling and knocked on. Play was called back and Bristol were awarded a quickly taken free kick which was moved quickly left but just as Jon Hawker looked to have made a break he slipped. Th eyoung Bristol side showed good composure though and possession was retained with Marco Stanojevic receiving the ball in space making good ground, it looked like a try was on as Marco raced down the right wing but a retreating Orrell defender was able get his hand in the way of the would be scoring pass and disrupt the move.

Bristol kept looking to attack down the flanks but Orrell gradually turned the screw and started to get real momentum playing a very tight controlled game driving the ball on through the forwards.

A quarter of the way through the game and the Bristol forwards showed they too could play that way with a drive into the Orrell twenty two, Orrell were caught offside and Brett Davey kicked his first home points to bring the scores to 3 – 7. But Orrell were able to extend the lead back to seven points shortly after with a further Hinton penalty fice minutes later.

Bristol were able to cause problems to the Orrell scrum shortly after and the ball flipped up from Nick Easter where Marco was able to snaffle the loose ball beating a couple of men before knocking the ball on after what looked to have been a high tackle with the line beckoning.

Brett Davey was able to close the gap once more shortly after with his second penalty and with half time approaching the scores stood at 6- 10, but Orrell were able to get the last score of the match after stealing Bristols line out ball in the Bristol twenty two and after the forwards had set up a series of rucks close to the line scrum half Gavin Cattle was able to stampede over the line, the conversion making the half time scores 6 – 17.

Bristol started the second half brightly keeping play in the Orrell half and had the first chance to score after turning over ball from an Orrell break. Jon Hawker speeding to the left but the final pass to Sean Marsden was awkward and Sean was unable to keep control of the ball.

Bad news was to follow for Bristol with Ollie Hodge having to leave the field heralding the return of the newly shorn Richard Hunt after some weeks off.

Bristol were soon able to get their first try of the day with Sean Marsden beating several cover tacklers when he seemed to be penned in, his well weighted chip ahead being fielded by the supporting Marco Stanojevic after Sean had been pulled down.

Still looking to spread it wide James Bailey received the ball in space but was stopped in his tracks by an excellent cover tackle but it was Orrell who took next blood with another try scored through forward pressure, this one being awarded to Samoan lock Opeta Palepoi. Keeping up the excellent strike rate for both kickers Hinton added the extra points and Bristol were now 13-24 down with a quarter of the match to go.

Bristol stuck to their guns, having seen that their dangerous backs could make ground and Sean Marsden broke again, finding Chris Morgan in support, but Chris was unable to break through and another Bristol attack fell short. Brett Davey was able to close the gap with a further penalty before Bristol scored through Felipe Contepomi.

Sorry, through Rob Higgit, who intercepted the ball, brought it under control, pinned his ears back and raced to the corner. Brett Davey closed the gap to 1 point and the game was very much on.

As the game entered the last ten minutes Jon Hawker was replaced by Owen Evans having had another very good game. Brett Davey looked to take Bristol into the lead for the first time with a drop goal attempt which drifted just wide but Bristol kept the pressure on and the game was again played in the Orrell half.

Bristol finally went in front with a successful drop goal from Brett Davey but Orrell went straight back down the pitch and scored another penalty, Bristol had a last chance to steal the game with a long range penalty attempt striking the upright and that was aas close as they got as time ran out.