Five-try Bears secure place in the play-offs
BRISTOL Bears claimed a place in the Gallagher Premiership semifinals after beating London Irish.
The Bears’ bonus-point win, which saw them overtake West rivals Bath in the standings, was rarely in doubt as they scored five tries against an Irish side who could not follow up their heroics in winning at Exeter last time out.
Semi Radradra, Ben Earl, Harry Thacker and Will Capon crossed for the visitors, who were also awarded a penalty try. Max Malins added the rest of the points with a penalty and three conversions.
Irish could only respond with a second-half try from Ollie HassellCollins, converted by Paddy Jackson.
Bristol took the lead in the 13th minute with a splendid try. Near to his own 22, Piers O’Conor fielded a speculative kick before setting off on a superb 50-metre run with Radradra up in support to receive the scoring pass.
It came as no surprise when the visitors extended their lead on the half-hour. After turning down a number of kickable penalties, Earl crashed over from a line-out.
Malins blew a great chance for another try, but he was able to atone for that error by kicking a straightforward penalty to leave Bristol with a 17-0 lead at the end of a one-sided first half.
After the restart, Irish got on the scoreboard just after the hour with an excellent solo try from HassellCollins, who evaded a number of Bears defenders on a 45-metre run to the line.
Bristol brought on Callum Sheedy and Kyle Sinckler to raise them from their slumbers and it soon paid dividends.
First Thacker finished off a fine driving line-out before referee Karl Dickson awarded a penalty try for collapsing another drive to give Bears their bonus point target with four minutes remaining.
With the last move of the match, another line-out drive saw Capon score Bristol’s fifth.