It was a day of mixed emotions at Ashton Gate on Saturday as a big crowd arrived on Coronation Day. Clearing skies, live music and a buzz of anticipation around the ground, with a good contingent of Gloucester supporters bedecked in their cherry and white adding to the occasion.
But much of the talk before kick-off was not about this fixture, but the game down the A4 in Bath that would ultimately impact our chances of Champions Cup rugby next season. I like many didn’t expect Saracens to bring their full starting XV but was rather surprised at the second string team they put out at the Rec. We all knew that this meant Bristol would need to win, and win big.
Things looked promising at half-time with the Bears deservedly ahead and Bath trailing - that Champions Cup qualification looked tantalising close. But, in what seemed a microcosm of our season, the tides turned in the second half and ultimately we were pipped at the post for eighth place and top-flight European rugby next season.
So despite the 36-21 bonus-point victory against Gloucester and regaining the Rifles Cup celebrations were a little muted at the final whistle. We’d witnessed Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau at their rampaging best to secure the win, but after the final whistle said farewell to these international stars as they played their final game for the Bears.
We wish all our departing players well for the future but along with the two mentioned above I’d like to pick out a couple more that will be missed by the Bristol faithful. That’s local lads Andy Uren and Joe Joyce. Both have given so much of their careers to the club and it will just feel odd not seeing them around next season.
So another frustrating season has drawn to an end. We witnessed a few glimpses of Bears magic along the way and who will forget that amazing night against South Africa at a rocking Ashton Gate. But so often it was a tale of too many penalties conceded and an inability to close out games that cost us time and time again.
Can Pat turn it around next season? With changes in the coaching set up and the emergence of more Academy talent let’s hope so, but it won’t be easy.
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