Report: Bristol Rugby 52-24 Moseley

Andy Robinson’s men scored eight tries on Sunday as Gavin Henson touched down on his debut.

George Watkins (2), Charlie Amesbury, Craig Hampson, Gareth Maule and Olly Robinson all crossed, while referee Andrew Jackson awarded a first half penalty try.

George Watkins came within a whisker of opening the scoring when the winger scampered clear only to lose his footing, but Bristol went in front soon after.

Referee Andrew Jackson awarded a penalty try after a spell of pressure, while Ed Siggery saw yellow in a double blow for Moseley.

The home side took full advantage, as the ever-dangerous Craig Hampson darted blind before putting Watkins over in the corner.

And Bristol added a third try on the quarter hour when Charlie Amesbury latched onto Nicky Robinson’s crossfield kick to race in from thirty metres.

Moseley found a way back into the game, as Siggery made amends for his earlier yellow card, breaking clear before finding Chris Brightwell to touch down for a converted try.

Nile Dacres silenced the home faithful with a close-range effort, before Brightwell’s converted score drew the visitors level at 19-19.

Sparked back into life, Nicky Robinson and Mitch Eadie went close for the home side, but Bristol couldn’t find a way through a stubborn red and black defence.

Andy Robinson’s men came all firing on all cylinders after the restart and swiftly regained the advantage, courtesy of Gareth Maule’s five-metre effort.

Olly Robinson dotted down against his former club from the back of a driving lineout moments later, and Nicky Robinson’s conversion moved Bristol 31-19 ahead.

Amesbury had a try chalked off for an adjudged foot in touch, before Craig Hampson showed fleet of foot to collect Watkins’ grubber ahead and fly over for a converted try.

George Watkins capitalised on Ben Glynn’s gallop clear to cross for Bristol’s sixth of the afternoon as the hosts seized full control of the encounter.

With momentum in Bristol’s favour, Gareth Maule spilled a ball close to the whitewash, before Nick Koster’s yellow card reduced his side to fourteen men for the remainder of the game.

But, despite the numerical disadvantage, Gavin Henson went over on an impressive competitive debut to take Bristol past fifty point.

In the final play of the game, replacement Jack Lea powered over for Moseley to secure a commendable losing bonus point at Ashton Gate.

Bristol Rugby:

Jack Wallace; George Watkins, Gareth Maule, Gavin Henson, Charlie Amesbury; Nicky Robinson, Craig Hampson; Jack O’Connell, Ross McMillan, Gaston Cortes, Ben Glynn, Mark Sorenson (c), Ryan Jones, Olly Robinson, Mitch Eadie.

Replacements: Chris Brooker (for Ross McMillan, 61 mins), James Hall (for Gaston Cortes, 54 mins), Ian Evans (for Mark Sorenson, 75 mins), Nick Koster (for Ryan Jones, 61 mins), Luke Baldwin (for Craig Hampson, 77 mins), Matthew Morgan (for Nicky Robinson, 61 mins), Tommaso Benvenuti (for Gareth Maule, 70 mins).

Moseley:

Anthony Carter; Mike Penn, Scott Armstrong, Greg King, Drew Cheshire; Ollie Thomas, Sam Brown; Nathan Williams, Scott Tolmie, Craig Voisey, Buster Lawrence, Nile Dacres, Harry Hone, Ed Siggery, Chris Brightwell.

Replacements: Stefan Thorp, Greg Charlton (for Harry Hone, 55 mins), Simon Gardiner (for Nathan Williams, 55 mins), Neil Mason (for Nile Dacres, 63 mins), Jack Lea (for Scott Tolmie, 66 mins), David Brazier (for Greg King, 77 mins), Will Hooley (for Anthony Carter, 40 mins).

Referee: Andrew Jackson
Airbus UK Man of the Match: George Watkins
Attendance: 7,568