BRISTOL BEARS PLAYER RATINGS
IOAN LLOYD - 9
The full-back returned from his involvement with Wales, and a first senior international cap, full of confidence and was majestic throughout. He danced through the Worcester defence to set up the opening try as his footwork bamboozled Francois Venter. Throw in a try-saving tackle on Nick David and solid kicking display and it was a classy return to club action. NIYI ADEOLOKUN - 7
The wing didn’t have his most impactful day as he made just 38 metres from seven carries but he didn’t show any signs of weakness. He is growing into this side. PIERS O’CONOR - 7
Back at inside centre, O’Conor looked more assured and was in the perfect place to finish the try following Lloyd’s break. SIALE PIUTAU - 6
The skipper scored a try for the second week on the bounce, this time at the back of a driving maul. He got caught drifting across the pitch a few times in attack by the onrushing Worcester defence. HENRY PURDY - 8
The wing had a superb game and was always in the right place to make crucial tackles when Worcester broke the line. Showed how dangerous he can be with a couple of eye-catching breaks down the wing. Strong kicking display as well.
SAM BEDLOW - 6
Bedlow was handed the 10 jersey for just the second time in his senior career and had less to do this week, with Ioan Lloyd taking on the kicking duties on his return from international duty. His passing was a little slow at times and he failed to get a firm grip on the game tactically. HARRY RANDALL - 7
The scrum-half brought a nice pace to the game. His box-kicking didn’t quite have the length he would have been looking for at times but he came out on top in the head-to-head with Worcester’s star man Francois Hougaard. YANN THOMAS - 7
Penalised late in the first half trying to win a turnover but the cornerstone of a very
solid scrummaging display and wellfunctioning line-out and maul.
BRYAN BYRNE - 7
The hooker was everywhere in defence with a series of high-quality chop tackles. He also proved he can be a formidable ball carrier. Touched down for a nice forwards try, catching and driving over the line from close range.
JOHN AFOA - 7
The veteran prop was just on top in the scrum and his usual industrious self in open play. ED HOLMES - 7
The athletic lock was the second highest tackler on the team after Dan Thomas (15) with 13 and a key man in the line-out.
JOE JOYCE - 7
Another solid display as Bristol had to step up to meet the physical challenge imposed by the Warriors’ forwards. JAKE HEENAN - 6
A solid display for the Bears, although a couple of missed tackles and two turnovers conceded blotted his copybook. DAN THOMAS - 8
He was a constant menace to Worcester’s kickers, getting his hand to a number off efforts and winning turnovers. The only forward to get into double figures for passes, showing his role as a link man. NATHAN HUGHES - 7
Making his return from minor surgery on his knee, Hughes failed to get into the game as often as normal, but still gave a solid display.
REPLACEMENTS: Will Capon - 6, Jake Woolmore - 6, Max Lahiff - 7, John Hawkins - 6, Mitch Eadie - 7, Andy Uren - 7, Tiff Eden - 7, Alapati Leiua - 7.
WORCESTER: Melani Nanai; Tom Howe, Oli Morris, Francois Venter, Nick David; Billy Searle, Francois Hougaard; Callum Black, Niall Annett, Richard Palframan, Anton Bresler, Andrew Kitchener, Ted Hill, Matt Kvesic, Marco Mama. REPLACEMENTS: Beck Cutting, Ethan Waller, Conor Carey, George Merrick, Joe Batley, Gareth Simpson, Jamie Shillcock, Ashley Beck