After a day of behind-the-scenes chaos as Premiership Rugby struggled to agree on protocol after Queen Elizabeth II’s momentous passing, Ashton Gate provided the perfect antidote to the fans’ Friday frustration by delivering a ripsnorter of a local derby that had BS3 rocking right up to the final whistle.
Opinions were understandably divided about whether the game should have gone ahead but an impeccably observed minute’s silence and a rollicking rendition of ‘God Save the King’ gave those of us present the perfect opportunity to pay our respects in a way that felt concrete and meaningful.
This was the sort of game that draws new fans in, and then keeps them coming, and how rugby union needs spectacles like this to grow support in a time of financial uncertainty.
The contest was gladiatorial, fractious and far from perfect and that the result was still in doubt as Bath’s last-gasp drop goal attempt drifted wide just added even more grist to the drama mill.
It was classic Bears, which, as we all know, isn’t always a good thing and realistically if you score five tries to two you should be cantering to victory rather than hobbling over the line in a photo finish.
Similar failings from last season remained with ill-discipline, an erratic line out and variable decision-making raising fans’ blood pressure to dangerous levels but there was also a determination to keep going to the end despite being two scores down with five minutes to go and staring into the abyss that should be applauded.
Full credit to the opposition for fronting up, closing down space and forcing the Bears’ back line to work hard for their supper but individual player plaudits can really only go to one man.
Ellis Genge was more than just a returning hero, he was a talisman who through two moments of pure rugby magic has given us hope that we can forget about the disappointments of last season and look forward to a more optimistic one this time around.
There is still plenty of work to be done and our ride on the Bristol rollercoaster is not over yet but if, and granted it is a big if, we can play with more control alongside our attacking instinct then who knows what we’ll be celebrating come next June.
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