Bristol Bears suffered their first competitive defeat of the 2022/23 season on Wednesday night, albeit in the Premiership Rugby Cup, as a more experienced Exeter Chiefs side run out 20-35 victors at Ashton Gate.
Both sides recorded attacking bonus points with outside centre Joe Jenkins dotting down a brace of tries while Tom Whiteley and Harry Rowsen also crossed the whitewash for the Bears.
While all of Bristol’s tries came from the backs, four of Exeter’s five scores came from the forwards with lock Lewis Pearson recording a brace, one from openfield and another from a maul. The Chiefs maul proved a deadly rugby weapon as it also delivered skipper Jack Innard over the line and earned a penalty try for illegal collasping by the Bears.
Centre Sean O’Brien was the only back to get over the line for Exeter and fly-half Sam Worsley added all five conversions for 10 points.
South West rugby writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players....
READ MORE: Bristol Bears 20-35 Exeter Chiefs LIVE: Reaction from Premiership Rugby Cup clash
15. Ioan Lloyd - 5
Not a day for his razzle-dazzle in attack as Exeter’s defence never gave him a second to breathe.
14. Deago Bailey - 7
Came alive in the closing moments with two mighty runs down either wing, the second saw him break two tackles before offloading to Jenkins to score.
A couple of nice, key tackles as well.
13. Joe Jenkins - 8
The centre was impressive in everything he did, showing an array of effective tackles in defence and score two superb tries, one with a powerful finish and the second thanks to a deceptive dummy.
He could be some player and is a massively exciting prospect based on this display and it is easy to see why he has been getting good reviews on loan at Championship side Hartpury this season.
12. James Williams - 5
Having come off the back of a couple of strong displays in pre-season this was a backwards step in his quest for the 12 jersey at Bristol with some poor passing options taken under pressure from the aggressive rush defence from Chiefs.
However the former Hartpury man produced a moment of magic to unlock the Exeter defence for Jenkins second try with an inch-perfect long arcing pass to set Rowson free.
11. Harry Rowson - 7
The winger scored on and created another, taking an offload from fly-half Worsley to finish off a free-flowing move from the Bears in the first half before then setting up Jenkins' final try with s burst of speed down the ledt wing and inside pass to his number 13.
10. Sam Worsley - 5
The fly-half had a tough outing with Exeter’s defence giving him no time to think and he missed three from three kicks from the tee and a couple of ambitious efforts to the corner missed their mark.
9. Tom Whiteley - 6
The scrum half ran hot and cold with a wonderful individual break to score his try down the blindside to go with a couple of other bright moments, but some of the skipper’s other gameplay looked rusty. A terrible up and under kick that went nowhere led to O’Brien’s try.
1. Toti Benz-Soloman - 6
A powerful display around the park and positive step in his development.
2. Bryan Byrne - 5
His yellow card for collapsing a maul in the first half proved very costly, conceding a penalty try. Chiefs scored another while he was off the pitch as well.
3. Jono Benz-Soloman - 5
Did okay in the scrum against an experienced Chiefs side.
4. Morgan Eames - 6
The big lock put in at least one huge tackle to force a knock on which reminded everyone of what he offers but didn’t catch the eye as a carrier.
5. Joe Owen - 6
The lock failed to catch the eye but was heavily involved as Bristol’s defence improved during the game to keep Chiefs out following multiple phases of attack break against Bristol’s blue wall.
6. Aaron Tull - 7
Named Bristol Bears’ inhouse player of the match after a strong display although perhaps made the wrong choice when trying to go for the corner himself with three Exeter defenders successfully driving him into touch just short of the line.
7. Macenzzie Duncan - 6
The flanker seemed to come in and out of the match, when he was shining Duncan looked a threat as a runner, cleverly spinning out of tackles to prove elusive.
8. Ed Harvey - 8
This kid is a player.
Still just 18, Harvey has a real physical presence but most importantly keen eye and awareness for hitting a devastating attacking lin. He was pivotal to so many of Bristol’s best moments.
Another very exciting talent from the academy.
Replacements:
16. Fred Davies - 7
17. Andrew Turner - 6
18. George Kloska - 7
19. Jimmy Halliwell - 7
20. Jake Kerr - 6
21. Oscar Lennon - 6
22. Dylan Power - 6
23. Harry Ascherl - 6
