Bristol Bears defeated Exeter Chiefs 40-33 in an excellent attacking clash at Ashton Gate to get a win in their final home game of a difficult season.
Tries from Callum Sheedy, a Charles Piutau double, Alapati Leiua (scoring on his final Ashton Gate appearance), Toby Fricker and Luke Morahan were enough to give Bears a victory that has all but ended Exeter’s play-off hopes, and intriguingly given them their maiden defeat at Ashton Gate.
Chiefs also looked strong with the ball in hand, with scores from Santiago Grondona, Josh Hodge, James Kenny and Dave Ewers giving us a thrilling, competitive game of rugby.
Rugby reporter Nathan Russell gives his verdict the individual performances from the Bears players.
15. Charles Piutau – 9
The best player on the field today, at his absolute best.
Boldly changed the direction of play but used his silky footwork to score underneath the posts for his first try, making the Exeter defence look like fools and the game of rugby look oh so easy.
Grabbed a second as he found a gap between Ian Whitten and Olly Woodburn in the defensive line.
Led his side in defenders beaten today (7).
Pulled off numerous borderline-offensive out the back passes that he really shouldn’t have got away with, but did.
14. Luke Morahan – 7
6 defenders beaten to his name as he rounded off a good performance with a score in the corner after a glossy back move.
Led Bristol in offloads (4), but 5 missed tackles marginally mars his game.
13. Piers O’Conor – 6
Took a nasty hit to the shoulder/collar bone area from Alec Hepburn that ended his game shortly following the interval.
Struggled to make his mark, although he did make a habit of getting over the gain line.
12. Alapati Leiua – 8
Fairy-tale ending for one of Bristol’s stalwarts on his final appearance at Ashton Gate, had a great finish to score after being disgustingly offloaded to by Callum Sheedy.
Distributed well to those outside him playing in a relatively unaccustomed position.
11. Toby Fricker – 9
An absolutely titanium 124 metres to his name tonight.
Expertly read Henry Slade’s pass to intercept for the score that put his side in the lead as the game reached the closing stages and showed outstanding pace to run it in from 45m out.
He repeatedly stressed the visitors' defence.
10. Callum Sheedy – 9
Got the opening try of the game, even if in reality the try was all on Harry Randall’s quick-thinking initiative that set up the score - still he showed great pace to run the ball home.
Broke before absolutely filthily blind-passing out the back to Alapati Leiua for a score.
Distributed wonderfully to the centres who were able to showcase their skills this evening.
Kicked well from the tee with four from four.
9. Harry Randall – 8
Showed his sheer class and intelligence with a quick tap that gave Callum Sheedy a clear run in for the opening try of the game.
It was a fast paced game and the scrum-half kept up with it with relative ease.
Raffi Quirke’s good, but this man should start for England in that 9 shirt.
1. Jake Woolmore – 7
Tackled like a mutant, with 13 to his name.
Scrum was solid, particularly with the scrappy start to the game meaning the discipline was pretty commonplace for the opening quarter.
2. Harry Thacker – 7
Some decent carries before being replaced by Bryan Byrne early in the second half.
3. John Afoa – 7
Respectable final shift at Ashton Gate before the All Blacks heads across the channel in the summer, a regular carrier that stood up to the physicality of the Exeter pack.
4. Dave Attwood – 7
A nice way to make his final appearance at Ashton Gate before returning to Bath over the summer.
Consistent source of carries as the pack made some dominant hits.
5. Joe Joyce – 8
Made a wonderful first half running line to get Bristol into the 22 in a strong day with the ball in hand for the heartbeat of the team.
An impressive 11 tackles today.
6. Chris Vui – 8
Despite getting pushed past for the Santiago Grondona try, he led the physical charge for the pack with some dominant hits and extra metres to his name.
Also showed his metal with the ball in hand by beating 3 defenders, a great feat for a man of his stature.
7. Sam Jeffries – 7
Another great defensive shift that’s becoming trademark, leading his team in tackles (19).
Made more defensive contributions than just the incessant tackling, pushing back and holding a maul up early in the game. Exeter did not attempt a driving maul again.
8. Steven Luatua © - 7
The captain led by example, delivering in every aspect of his game.
12 tackles and some good carries put his team on the front foot.
Replacements
16. Bryan Byrne – 6
17. Jono Benz-Salomon – 5
18. Jake Armstrong – 6
19. Fitz Harding – 5
20. Dan Thomas – 6
21. Andy Uren – 6
22. Ioan Lloyd – 7
A couple of great breaks in his 23 minutes.
Assisted the Morahan try, as the backline looked composed with this man at 10.
The debate rages on as to where in the back-line the Welsh international fits in.
23. Jack Bates – 5
His yellow card may have been harsh, but it was still a silly moment.
Bristol did struggle in his absence, but ultimately it did not prove too costly.
