Report: Bristol Bears 10-25 Saracens

Pat Lam's men outscored the visitors two tries to one, but 20 points from the boot of Alex Goode and a sensational solo score from Max Malins sealed the points for Saracens. 

Harry Thacker and Jonathan Benz-Saloman were the try scorers for Bristol, whilst the boot of Goode kept the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors.

The opening exchanges saw the Bears enjoy a decent amount of possession. However, a solo try from Max Malins swung the momentum in Saracen’s favour.

Poor discipline cost the Bears with Goode landing two penalties in the lead-up to half-time, the score at the break 0-13.

Two penalties in quick succession at the restart stretched the visitor’s lead to 0-19. With 20 minutes to go the Bears had a try disallowed, but newly on to the field Thacker wasn’t to be denied a second time, 5-19.

Two further Goode penalties brought the score to 5-25 with 10 minutes to go. A late Bears resurgent saw replacement Benz-Salomon go over to score off the back of a rolling maul. 

Bristol Bears team to face Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday (5pm KO):

Luke Morahan (104 apps), 14. Deago Bailey (3 apps), 13. Joe Jenkins (1 app), 12. Sam Bedlow (54 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (debut), 10. Callum Sheedy (139 apps), 9. Will Porter (1 app); 1. Yann Thomas (94 apps), 2. Bryan Byrne (36 apps), 3. Jay Tyack (1 app), 4. Ed Holmes (91 apps), 5. Joe Batley (23 apps), 6. Magnus Bradbury (6 apps), 7. Jake Heenan (c) (75 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (35 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (81 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (115 apps), 18. Jonathan Benz-Salomon (8 apps), 19. John Hawkins (41 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (114 apps), 21. Andy Uren (141 apps), 22. Ioan Lloyd (64 apps), 23. Jack Bates (29 apps).