Varndell treble delivers Bristol victory at last
LONDON: Former England wing Tom Varndell’s hat- trick of tries propelled Bristol to their first Premiership victory of the season with a 28-20 victory over fellow strugglers Worcester on Monday.
Bristol’s victory — which still leaves them bottom but only two points behind Worcester — was even more creditworthy as they played a man down from the 13th minute when Tusi Pisi was sent off for a dangerous tackle by Wayne Barnes.
Varndell — 30 and who played the last of his four Tests in 2008 — struck twice in the first-half and added a third in the second period as Bristol managed to hold on against a poor Worcester outfit to end their 10 match losing run on their return to the elite league.
“We needed that. We know where we are in the table,” Varbdell told BT Sport.
“If we’re going to be in this league we need to play like that every single week we’re in.
“It is great to be scoring tries and that is what I’ve managed to do today.”
Bristol acting coach Mark Tainton, who stepped in when f o rme r Eng l and h a nd le r Andy Robinson was sacked in November, said the victory had been coming.
“We’ve been fortunate over the past few weeks to pull things together, gain confidence and that confidence showed today,” he told BT Sport.
“The players are relieved and very very happy. But we know it’s one win and we’re still at the bottom of the table.”
Tainton, a former fly-half and Bristol’s record points scorer, said the red card wasn’t totally unjust.
“For me Tusi Pisi is looking at the ball when he approaches the tackle but he has a responsibility to bring the man down safely.” — AFP