MacGinty misses out as Tigers hold nerve
AJ MacGinty missed a dramatic last-gasp penalty which would have given Bristol a dramatic fightback win as 14-man champions Leicester held out at Ashton Gate.
The fly-half was gifted the chance to be the home hero when Tigers were penalised for going offside after Pat Lam’s men had fought back from a 14-point deficit to set up a nail-biting finish.
But MacGinty’s effort from ten yards inside his own half drifted wide and the hosts had to settle for a draw and a try-scoring bonus point.
A dramatic game saw Bristol’s returning Fijian Semi Radradra escape a red card for a reckless hit on Freddie Burns’ head which left the fly-half needing an HIA which he came through.
Surprisingly, referee Craig Maxwell-Keys decided there were enough mitigating circumstances with Burns dropping as he let go of the ball, that it deserved just a yellow card. But the decision is contrary to the current desire of rugby bosses to clamp down on such incidents and Burns could easily have been seriously hurt. Fortunately for the Tigers man, he was able to shrug off the blow and return to the action near the end of the first half.
But Tigers had replacement prop Francois van Wyk shown a red card for a dangerous hit to the head of Ellis Genge in the second half which left the visitors needing to hang on a man down for the final 14 minutes.
Radradra, playing his first game since April following a bad knee injury, started in style and he capped his reappearance with a try after just four minutes with a trademark surge over the line.
Tigers, who became the first Premiership team to field seven backs who are England internationals, surged into a big lead once Burns kicked Tigers
first points from a penalty after he had charged down Callum Sheedy’s attempted clearance and Bears were guilty of playing the ball on the floor at a ruck.
Burns followed up with his second penalty when Bears were guilty of going offside at a ruck. But the hosts responded with a scintillating try and it came from a long lineout throw around the back. The ball was eventually moved along the line and into the hands of Charles Piutau who used his power and pace to force his way over for the score. Sheedy added the extras.
Centre Dan Kelly used his strength to charge over for a Tigers try. Radradra then had his fortunate escape from a red card with the referee deciding Burns was falling as he was hit and that there were enough mitigating circumstances as he was struck by Radradra’s bicep. Tigers crossed for two tries to
take a 23-12 half-time lead in Radradra’s absence.
Chris Ashton powered his way across for another try – his 98th Premiership score – showing his true predator instincts. Hooker Julian Montoya rose to take the pats on the back from his happy team-mates. Burns, who had returned to the field having passed his assessment, coolly converted.
But the second half saw Bears roar back with prop Bryan Byrne burrowing his way over from close range after a series of surges. But also in the build up replacement prop van Wyke smashed
Genge in the head with his shoulder. This time there were no mitigating circumstances and he was shown a red card. Tigers were down to 14 men with just a seven-point lead.
The dismissal proved crucial as Bears used their extra man well, and a quick break ended with Gabriel Ibitoye using his pace to cross for a try.
AJ MacGinty’s conversion levelled the game with four minutes remaining. But the fly-half failed the big test at the end when his penalty missed the target and honours were shared.