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Will Carpenter writes

Posted Sunday, January 12th 2020 @bristolsportwkc

Stat attack: Bristol Bears 52-3 Brive

Sunday, January 12th 2020

Hamilton takes the lead, Protheroe shines and Bears top the charts. Check out the best of the match stats from Saturday's Challenge Cup victory over Brive at Ashton Gate.

Luke lights it up

He was pipped to the man of the match gong by Dave Attwood, but Luke Hamilton put in a standout display for Bristol in the number eight shirt.

The former Leicester Tigers and Edinburgh back row scored his first try for the club midway through the second half, but it was his all-court game that really shone at Ashton Gate.

Hamilton made an impressive 96 metres with ball in hand from 18 carries, as well as 10 tackles and four defenders beaten, with Director of Rugby, Pat Lam praising his display in the post-match press conference.

Mat finish

Mat Protheroe's attacking prowess once again caught the eye in the Challenge Cup, as the young flyer made a whopping 134 metres against Brive on Saturday.

The full back also beat 10 defenders and made six clean breaks. Protheroe (11) now sits second in the competition's 'clean break' category, behind teammate, Luke Morahan (12).

Elsewhere, Will Capon is now joint top scorer in the tournament with four.

Leading the way

As well as amassing the most competition points, with 24 out of a possible 25, Bristol Bears also sit top of the tree in six categories.

Pat Lam's men lead the way in tries scored (26), points scored (202), conversions (24), clean breaks (90 - 22 more than anyone else), defenders beaten (180) and metres (2647 - 320 more than anyone else).

Another bonus-point victory at Zebre this weekend would ensure their spot as the tournament's top seed.