Lam: We’re still looking for an 80-minute performance

LEAGUE leaders Bristol made it a perfect ten in the Championship with victory at Ashton Gate.

A blistering first half performance saw Pat Lam’s side wrap up the bonus point inside 36 minutes, despite Nicky Thomas’ 27th-minute yellow card, as Dan Thomas’ brace – either side of Jordan Williams’ eighth-minute score – was followed by a quickfire double from hooker, Jason Harris-Wright.

Rhodri Williams crossed for the first of his brace early in the second half, before Nottingham capitalised on Jordan Williams’ yellow card with two tries in five minutes, courtesy of Ben Brownlie and Darryl Veenendaal.

But Rhodri Williams’ second and a late score for Joe Batley sealed a tenth successive league win for Bristol, although Jordan Coghlan’s 79thminute consolation left Lam frustrated at his side’s second half lapse.

“It was a very good first half, clinical and ruthless,” said Lam. “Things were going nicely, but we had that patch in the second half which was extremely disappointing.

“We gave away silly penalties and our poor discipline cost us. It’s disappointing to let in three tries. We want to be finishing strongly and be an 80-minute team. We know that there are areas where we have to look at and fix. We have set a high standard and need to continue to meet that.”

Flanker Thomas crashed over for the game’s opening score after just four minutes, before Jordan Williams’ step and outside arc saw him sprint in for Bristol’s second four minutes later.

Steven Luatua’s deft offload presented Thomas with the simplest of run ins for his second and Bristol’s third after just 14 minutes, with Jason Harris-Wright’s quickfire double securing the bonus before the interval.

Jordan Williams sent namesake, Rhodri, in for Bristol’s sixth two minutes after the break, before Ian Costello’s side hit back through Ben Brownlie and Veenendell.

But Rhodri Williams’ second, courtesy of Callum Sheedy’s inside pass, and Batley’s score, took Bristol past the 50point mark for the third time this season, while Coghlan’s late try rounded off the scoring.

Nottingham head coach Ian Costello said: “We were completely outclassed in the first half but I’m proud of the second half which was 19-21 to us and should’ve been more.”