Semi’s Bears In First Final
Semi Radradra helped Bristol Bears reached their first European final by staging a stirring fightback to beat Challenge Cup opponents Bordeaux-Begles 37-20 after extra time at Ashton Gate yesterday.
The English club overcame a 13-point deficit and a yellow card for centre Radradra against his former club to reach the final on October 16, when they will tackle Toulon or Leicester.
But they needed an additional 20 minutes to go through, with substitute centre Piers O’Conor and fullback Max Malins scoring early in the first period of extra-time and breaking Bordeaux’s resistance after it finished 20-20 in 80 minutes.
Captain Steven Luatua and Malins scored tries during normal time, while first five eighth Callum Sheedy converted all four tries and kicked three penalties for a 17-point haul. But Bristol, who last made a major final more than 30 years ago in the days of English rugby’s knockout cup, were in trouble for long periods against a Matthieu Jalibert-inspired Bordeaux. Coach Pat Lam was happy with the effort.
“It shows how far we have come as a group. That extra time was a phenomenal effort,”Lam said. Meanwhile, wing Nemani Nadolo and fullback Kini Murimurivalu have been named in the Leicester Tigers run –on team while Masivesi Dakuwaqa will be on the win for Toulon.
The teams meet in the second semifinal today. Meanwhile, the Bristol Bears have unveiled their premium annual player sponsorship package for Radradra.
One of the most explosive players on the planet, the Fijian international has taken the Premiership by storm since his arrival at Ashton Gate.
The package includes:pitchside photo opportunity on a matchday (when safe to do so and within league regulations); personalised video message from sponsored player and Pat Lam;Invitation to exclusive player sponsor event held at the end of the season;pitchside, tunnel and changing room tour; logo next to sponsored player in the matchday programme;logo next to sponsored player profile on Bristol Bears website; Signed framed Bristol Bears 2020/21 shirt; logo on try GIF shared across social media channels; Brand exposure on the line up; stadium announcement each time sponsored player scores a try.