Rampant Bristol into first semi for 13 years

BRISTOL will appear in their first Premiership semi-final since 2007 after Saracens’ draw with Bath and their five-try win over London Irish confirmed a dramatic qualification.

Gathered round a computer screen for two minutes after their side had just scored a fifth try — to beat Pat Lam’s Exiles — Bristol chief executive Chris Booy, No 8 Nathan Hughes and the backroom team waited nervously for confirmation of their fate.

And when they saw Maro Itoje flick a lineout into touch to confirm Saracens had drawn with Bath, the Bears knew they were in their first play-off semi-final in 13 years.

Hughes leapt up screaming ‘chaa-hoo’ and Booy punched the air in an empty Stoop — billionaires Bristol had done it.

Tries from Semi Radradra, Ben Earl, Harry Thacker, Will Capon and a penalty try had made sure they held up their end of the bargain.

‘As soon as we got the bonus point I knew it was job done,’ said Lam.

‘At the very end I saw Maro pinch that ball, it showed the quality of the player that he is!

‘We’ve fully earnt our right to be where we are now.

‘Three years ago we were in the Championship. This is what the dream is — to be playing in finals and in games that matter.

‘We’ve got a great opportunity to prepare for two finals. There’s no point going into the semi if you’re not going for the final, and no point showing up in the final if you don’t go and win the trophy.

‘We’ve overachieved in terms of where the expectation was, but not in terms of the work everyone has put in. It’s been a very good season but we’re not finished, we want the trophies.’

All Bristol could do amid the latest Premiership farce was to score four tries and wait.

They should have had three by half-time, but Max Malins agonisingly dropped one over the line when clean through after Radradra and Earl had taken a try each.

With 20 minutes to go Ollie Hassell-Collins scored a superb solo effort as Bristol searched for two more themselves.

Thacker went over from a maul as time ticked on and as it looked like the Bears might fall short of their four-try target, an Irish cross-kick dropped out on the full giving the visitors a five-metre lineout.

From the resulting maul the vital penalty try came, meaning Bristol had a five-point win.

A minute later Tim Swinson’s try and Manu Vunipola’s conversion for Saracens drew them level with Bath.

Capon scored a fifth at the Stoop and when the full-time whistle blew in Barnet, Bristol were in the play-offs. But they will have to wait until Wednesday to see whether Wasps or Exeter host them.