Bristol Bears secured just their seventh win of the season on Friday night with a 29-28 comeback victory over play-off chasing Gloucester Rugby.
Bristol raced out the blocks to a 17-0 lead with tries from Harry Thacker and Andy Uren as well as a pair of conversions and penalty from Callum Sheedy.
But Gloucester didn't panic and came back to cross the line three times before the interval through Charlie Chapman, Louis Rees-Zammit and Chris Harris, all converted by Adam Hastings.
In the second half, Bristol winger Toby Fricker scored a brace of tries either side of a five-pointer from Cherry and Whites hooker Jack Singleton, to seal the result and secure an attacking bonus-point win.
South West rugby writer John Evely tasks a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players at Ashton Gate.
15. Luke Morahan - 6
The Australian sadly only lasted 26 minutes after picking up an apparent leg injury which is a pity because he made an impact early on, bursting through the Gloucester defence after taking a good offload from Steven Luatua.
14. Toby Fricker - 9
Playing in his first Premiership game since Boxing Day the winger seriously rewarded Pat Lam for putting his faith in him with two tries including a stunning finish in the corner that saw him beat England international Ollie Thorley on the outside and then power through the tackle of Argentine international full back Santiago Carreras.
But Fricker was better than just his two tries, his kick chase was outstanding and his fight to keep the ball and momentum alive through the game was immense.
He couldn’t get anywhere near Louis Rees-Zammit after the flying Welshman had broken the line from an inside pass from Adam Hastings to score in the first half but few can.
He stuck to his strengths and excelled.
13. Piers O’Conor - 7
The centre’s biggest moment was perhaps the last play of the game as he rose into the air and gambled to raise his hands about his head and catch the short kick-off from Adam Hastings as Gloucester desperately looked to compete to regather the ball to have one last shot at going for the win.
In the end O’Conor, who displayed some fine handling throughout, gathered cleanly and Bristol got the ball off the pitch to bring the final whistle and a roar of approval from the home crowd.
12. Antoine Frisch - 7
Back into the starting side after being left out for the European double-header with Sale, the Munster-bound centre unfortunately injured his shoulder in a tackle and was replaced by Sam Bedlow in the 29th minute having made some early front-foot gaining carries when the Bears were in their early purple patch.
He still got back into the defensive line while holding his shoulder which is a real sign of his character.
11. Alapati Leiua - 6
The winger got his defensive read all wrong for Gloucester’s opening try of the game as he bit in when he needed to drift which allowed Mark Atkinson to step to the outside and the visitors to free Louis Rees-Zammit down the touchline who offloaded to Charlie Chapman to score the simplest of finishes.
However, he was abrasive in the carry and made some hard yards, finishing with 54m made from 11 carries, but getting turned over four times.
10. Callum Sheedy - 7
The fly-half’s range of flat passing was on the money throughout the game to seriously stress the Gloucester defence as he made good decisions as to which option to pick.
Sheedy’s kicking to touch was also outstanding as he absolutely arrowed a series of long-range penalties right into the corner to give his side an excellent platform to attack from which delivered one try and maybe should have brought a couple more.
A fine display off the tee as well with just one miss.
9. Andy Uren - 7
The scrum half ran a great supporting line to take a flat pass from Steven Luatua to score the Bears' second try of the match and really should have had a second after the break but Uren was held up over the line for the second week in succession, this time by Chris Harris and Matias Alemanno.
1. Jake Woolmore - 7
The loosehead prop had an excellent game in the scrum to provide Bristol with a solid platform to attack from.
1. Harry Thacker - 8
The hooker could have had a first-half hatrick but had to make do with one off a maul in the opening minutes, a second driving effort was ruled out by the TMO who spotted a knock-on and he was denied a third by some trademark stunning defensive play from Chris Harris who drifted across to lasso him and drag Thacker into touch when he looked likely to score.
So industrious, as well as having touches on the ball as an attacker repeatedly he also finished as the Bears top tackler with 19 completed.
3. John Afoa - 8
Starting against his former side the 38-year-old rolled back the clock with a stunning 68 minute display that saw him anchor the scrum and play an active role in attack both as a carrier and passer.
A vintage display in possibly one of his last games as a professional.
4. Ed Holmes - 7
Making just his seventh league appearance of the season and first since mid-February, Holmes was athletic as ever and did the nuts and bolts well. Reliable.
5. Chris Vui - 7
After making a successful return from a HIA the Samoan displayed some trademark bursts with the ball in hand to get his side on the front foot and was Bristol’s top lineout option.
6. Steven Luatua - 8
The skipper made such a difference being back in the starting side as he helped deliver unbelievable ruck speed to aid the Bears' attacking play and caught they eye running the wide channels to rack up 40m with the ball in hand.
What marks former All Black Luatua out as a cut above is his decision making and the wonderful 15m pass back inside to Andy Uren while running down the wing at full back was top class.
7. Sam Jeffries - 8
The flanker is becoming the glue in the pack as he did so much of the unseen work, winning a couple of key turnovers, dominantly tackling and carrying hard while also being a key lineout option.
8. Fitz Harding - 8
Mr Dynamic was back and firing on all cylinders as it felt like the number eight was everywhere, racing down the tramlines with ball in hand or bursting out of his own 22 after a turnover to start the break for Uren’s try.
Replacements:
16. Jake Kerr - 6
17. Jono Benz-Salomon - N/A
18. Jake Armstrong - 6
19. Joe Joyce - 7
20. Dan Thomas - 8
21. Harry Randall - 7
22. Sam Bedlow - 7
23. Jack Bates - 8
