| London Irish (0) 7 |
| Tries: Hassell-Collins Con: Jackson |
| Bristol Bears (17) 36 |
| Tries: Radradra, Earl, Thacker, Capon, Penalty Cons: Malins 3 Pen: Malins |
Bristol ensured a Premiership play-off place thanks to a bonus-point win over London Irish and Bath’s failure to beat Saracens in the final round of matches.
Bristol dominated but needed either Bath or Wasps to slip up to avoid relying on a Sale mishap in their final game, which has been postponed because of 16 positive Covid-19 tests.
Semi Radradra and Ben Earl scores put Bears in control.
Ollie Hassell-Collins replied, but three more Bears tries secured the win.
With Bristol already assured of a convincing win going into the final stages and Wasps closing in on victory over a weakened Exeter side who were already guaranteed top spot, the attention switched to Bath’s trip to Saracens.
Sarries had fought back after trailing 14-0 and salvaged a 17-17 draw late on, a result that means it is now Bath and not Bristol who need Sale to slip up in their delayed fixture against Worcester on Wednesday.
Bears did their part, establishing a telling lead 17-0 against a resolute home defence in a cagey first period, Radradra crossing in the left corner after great work by Piers O’Connor and Earl touching down after a driving maul.
A fine Hassell-Collins solo score brought hope for the Exiles, but Bears upped the tempo and urgency for an emphatic bonus-point win and a place in next weekend’s Premiership semi-finals.
The introduction of Callum Sheedy and Kyle Sinckler played a big part in the improvement, with Harry Thacker finishing off a driving line-out for the third Bears try.
The fourth Bristol score came from a penalty try for collapsing another drive and Will Capon added the fifth on 80 minutes.
London Irish skipper Matt Rogerson:
“A few areas let us down, especially inaccuracies and ill-discipline. That meant we were pinned down in our half and against a side as good as Bristol. It’s almost impossible to get out from there.
“We kicked a lot in the first half so we tried to keep the ball more in the second half. We put their defence under a bit of pressure but missed a couple of opportunities in their 22.”
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam told BBC Radio Bristol:
“I’m extremely proud that we’ve earned the right to be in the top four throughout the whole season.
“It’s not easy to come here and get five points, in these conditions, against a tough side, with a physical, great group of guys, but we had a game plan and stuck to it.
“I’m so pleased for not only everyone at the club but particularly our supporters of Bristol Bears for many years.”
London Irish: Homer; Loader, Rona, Cokanasiga, Hassell-Collins; Jackson, Phipps; Dell, Creevy, Kepu, Nott, Munga, Rogerson, Cooke, Tuisue.
Replacements: Cornish, Elrington, Hoskins, De Chaves, Donnell, Meehan, Brophy Clews, Stokes.
Bristol: Lloyd; Morahan, Radradra, S Piutau, O’Conor; Malins, Randall; Woolmore, Thacker, Afoa, Holmes, Joyce, Vui, Heenan, Earl.
Replacements: Capon, Thomas, Sinckler, Eadie, Harding, Uren, Sheedy, Bedlow
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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