Bristol denied victory by late Eden penalty

BRISTOL began their preseason campaign with a draw as Tiff Eden slotted a late penalty for Worcester Development on Thursday night.

The visitors scored four times at Sixways as Charlie Amesbury, Marc Jones and Andy Uren all crossed, while also being awarded a penalty try.

Prop Jack O’Connell said:“It was our first game of the season after a tough preseason so it was good to get the lungs going even if we’re disappointed with the result.

“We talked a lot about being composed but we weren’t at times today.”

Bristol’s early forward dominance paid dividends just before the half hour when referee Simon Harding awarded a penalty try following a surge at the lineout.

Eden got Worcester off the mark with a penalty soon after but it was the visitors who extended their lead with a second score.

This time, Amesbury muscled his way over after flowing build-up involving Rayn Smid and Nick Carpenter. Billy Searle added the extras to put Bristol 14-3 ahead.

Former Bristol back rower Marco Mama ensured Worcester stayed in touch when his powerful charge resulted in a penalty try, converted by Eden.

And the home side went in at half time trailing by a single point when Eden struck a simple penalty to move the score to 14-13 in favour of Bristol.

Early in the second period, replacement hooker Jones rumbled over following Mama’s sin-binning as Bristol capitalised on the numerical advantage.

But the Warriors seized the initiative before the hour mark as Jamie Shillcock raced over in the corner after Alex Hearle’s opportunist break. And Worcester went in front for the first time in the game as Bristol were caught out by the bounce of the ball.

With the visiting defence stranded, Josh Adams reacted fasted to saunter over from 20 metres while Eden converted.

The lead lasted only five minutes, however, as replacement Uren’s perseverance resulted in the scrum-half scrambling over the whitewash for a converted try.

However, with time running out, Eden’s successful three pointer drew Worcester level for a share of the spoils. Star man