SINCKING FEELING
Kyle turns on style but Lions snub hurts
20 Bristol
BY
SNUBBED Kyle Sinckler powered Bristol to a sixtry win and the play-offs – but still cannot bury his Lions hurt.
Prop Sinckler was a shock snub for this summer’s trip to South Africa by head coach Warren Gatland.
Sinckler admitted it was a kick in the guts but put it to one side as Bristol confirmed their top-four place.
Sinckler, 28, helped Bristol come back from 15-7 at halftime as Bears’ scrum pulverised the hosts.
He said: “I’m not going to lie – I am emotional.
“I wanted to use that anger, I have never had so much anger inside me, and I used it in a positive way to do what is best for the team.
“Right now it doesn’t make sense but what I wanted to do was to lead by example.
“How easy would it have been for me to play the victim, to say ‘sorry me’ or to throw my toys out of the pram?
“It has been so tough – I have never experienced something like this in my career.
“But I wanted to show the kids and everyone at home how much it means to me and do the tough stuff.”
Bristol boss Pat Lam (above) added: “It was a big shock. Every single person had him in their team. I gave him a hug and he said, ‘I am ready to go’. He has been superb.” There were two tries for Bath wing Anthony Watson – who is going on the Lions tour – but it was not enough to negate Sinckler and the Bristol pack’s power. Bath boss Stuart Hooper said: “We couldn’t keep 15 men on the field and gave away too many set-piece penalties.”
When hooker Tom Dunn was red-carded for a high tackle on 70 minutes, it was all over.
Watson latched onto Cameron Redpath’s kick on 12 minutes to give Bath the lead against the run of play. And when Rhys Priestland intercepted Callum Sheedy’s pass to run in unopposed a minute later it was 12-0.
But Bristol’s driving lineout paid off and Nathan Hughes came up with the ball just before the break.
A massive scrum on 50 minutes had referee Luke Pearce waving for a penalty try and he sent Bath prop Juan Schoeman in the bin.
Another solid platform saw Max Malins go over.
Charles Piutau wrapped up the bonus point in the 63rd minute and Ben Earl’s score and Malins’ second just prolonged Bath’s misery. BATH: Tries: Watson (2), Priestland. Pens: Spencer.
Con: Spencer.
BRISTOL: Tries: Hughes, Malins (2), Piutau, Earl, Penalty.
Cons: Sheedy (3), Lloyd.