- Gallagher Premiership
- Sunday, September 13th 2020
- Ricoh Arena
|
Wasps | 59 |
|
Bristol | 35 |
Match Report
Will Carpenter reports from Ricoh Arena
Report: Wasps Rugby 59-35 Bristol Bears
Sunday, September 13th 2020
A Bristol Bears side including nine academy graduates fell to defeat at the Ricoh Arena, but a spirited fightback saw Pat Lam’s men pick up a crucial bonus point on the road.
Max Malins’ 18-point haul led the charge for the Bears from fly half, while Piers O’Conor, a penalty try and Peter McCabe’s first try for the club earned a consolation point in the midlands.
Trailing 26-0 after just 19 minutes, Lam’s young charges fought back to score five tries in the Coventry sunshine, with a 73rd-minute penalty try ensuring they wouldn’t go home empty-handed.
What happened?
In a dominant opening quarter, a rampant Wasps racked up the try bonus-point inside 19 minutes at the Ricoh Arena.
Willis pounced inside the first minute after Shields had charged down Cook’s clearance, before Bassett scorched over from first phase to double the advantage.
Cruse was next on the scoresheet from a driving lineout and Rowlands added the fourth from close range as the hosts stormed into a 26-0 lead.
But the Bears hit back with a quick-fire double, inspired by fly half, Max Malins.
The on-loan number ten scythed through the Wasps defence on two occasions, scoring the first and then trading passes with O’Conor to send the centre in.
Wasps had the final say of the opening 40 minutes with Kibirige touching down out wide for a fifth.
Wasps began the second half as they had the first, with two quick tries. First Robson finished off another flowing attack, and then the pack took over, earning a penalty try at scrum time to further turn the screw.
The Bears grabbed a third though, as they went in search of the bonus point – Malins zinging pass sending Byrne through the gap and the hooker linked up superbly with the supporting fly half, who coasted in for a second.
Tom Willis powered over for Wasps’ eighth 11 minutes from time, but a powerful driving lineout saw Lam’s men cross for the bonus point try late on, as referee Ian Tempest awarded a penalty try.
Gabriel Oghre scored a ninth for the hosts, but it was the Bears with the final say, as McCabe squeezed over, with Malins’ conversion completing the scoring.
Teams and scorers
Wasps: Tries: J Willis 1, Bassett 6, Cruse 11, Rowlands 19, Kibirige 40, Robson 48, Penalty 53, T Willis 69, Oghre 77. Cons: Gopperth 6, 11, 19, 48, 69. Yellow: Gaskell 73
Bristol Bears: Tries: Malins 30, 59, O’Conor 36, Penalty 73, McCabe 80. Cons: Malins 30, 36, 59, 80
Key moment
It can only be the bonus point try.
After falling behind to four quick Wasps tries, the Bears hit back with five of their own to earn a crucial point.
After Max Malins' second had put the visitors within striking distance, a powerful driving lineout saw referee Ian tempest award a penalty try.
Pat Lam reaction
🎥| "We didn't get off to a great start, but there's a lot of pride for the boys. The scoreboard is a reflection of our errors."
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) September 13, 2020
Pat Lam reacts to defeat the Ricoh 👇 pic.twitter.com/Es7TD9Heph
Man of the match: Max Malins
A sensational display from the fly half, who inspired the Bears comeback with two tries and a quite brilliant assist for Piers O'Conor.
Malins finished with an 18-point haul, kicking four out of four conversions and ensuring the Bears would pick up a crucial bonus point.
Images courtesy of JMPUK.
Wasps
- Tries:
- Kibirige, Bassett, Robson, Cruse, Rowlands, Willis, Willis, Oghre
- Conversions
- Gopperth (6)
- Penalties:
- Yellow Cards:
- Gaskell
Bristol
- Tries:
- O'Conor, Malins (2), McCabe
- Conversions:
- Malins (4)
- Penalties:
- Yellow Cards:
