14 man Bristol overturn odds to tame Tigers

Crucial try
By Duncan Wood
September 29 2002

The sending off of Julian White on 2 minutes looked to have ended Bristol's chances before they'd even begun. However, a magnificent team performance upset the odds and recorded a superb and unexpected win.

The game threatened to have a bit of needle. Both teams needed a win and this fixture last season saw two red cards.

Who would have believed that it would all kick off after only 2 minutes. At the first set scrum, referee Chris White smmed to take an age in letting the packs engage. When they did, the scrum disintegrated in a flurry of punches. It was on the far side frm me but I'm told that Lewis Moody went into Julian White with his knee raised and White responded with a headbutt.

The result was a red card for White and yellow for Moody. Bristol were dwon to 14 men after only 2 1/2 minutes against the reigning League and Heineken champions. It looked grim!

However, what followed was one of the most passionate and inspirational Bristol performances for many a year. The 7 amn pack held up manfully in the scrum and didn't let Leicester get their famed rolling maul game going. The backs simply lined up and knocked everything over.

Contepomi used the wind skilfully and, when he was given a sight of goal, he took it gleefully. He knocked over penalties after 9, 13 and 24 minutes to give Bristol a 9-0 lead.

Leicester almost breached the Shoguns' defence when Ben Kay was put clear on the left but Brendon Daniel raced back and put in a superb try saving tackle when he hauled the England lock into touch. Lee Best was struggling atthis stage and had to leave the field to be replaced by Shane Drahm.

The score wasn't long in coming though. Leicester established a platform in the Bristol 22 and Rod Kafer was able to ghost into a space and just make the line. Stimpson's conversion made it 9-7 and it looked like normal service was resumed.

However, the Bristol team fought back and were rewarded with another Contepomi penalty to take Bristol into a 12-7 lead at half time. The ground was buzzing but there was a feeling that he 14 men wouldn't be able to keep it up and the Tigers would use the breeze sensibly.

Stimpson did indeed reduce the gap on 51 minutes with a penalty but missed the chance to edge Leicester into the lead when he missed a very kickable one to the right shortly afterwards.

On the hour, Bristol took full advantage. The ball was moved left to Mike Lipman who looked as though he'd hung on too long before passing to Phil Christophers. However, Christophers sidestepped inside the first line of defence before swerving left, clear of Tim Stimpson and going over. His delight was obvious as he fired the crowd up. Contepomi converted to make it 19-10.

Leicester rung the changes and brought Harry Ellis off the wing and into scrum half. It paid dividends when he escaped the attentions of Pichot at the base of the scrum and took advantage of the fact that Bristol only had two back row forwards. He scampered over from the 22 and Stimpson's conversion made it 19-17.

Bristol continued to defy the odds, however, and Contepomi added penaltis on 69 and 76 minutes to stretch the gap to 25-17. Leicester attacked relentlessly but great Bristol defence kept them away from the line. Daryl Gibson was sinbinned for not rolling away from the tackle and Stimpson kicked the penalty. It was 4 minutes into injury time.

Some nervous moments followed as Leicester kept the ball alive but Bristol held out for a famous victory.

It would be unfair to single people out as the whole team display was magnificent. The pack did not take a backward step. How they got through so many scrums under so much pressure is a mystery. Ben Sturnham performed wonders at the base, taking the ball on and driving through tacklers.

Agustin Pichot was, once again, inspired. His form this season has been superb. One chase back and tackle was excellent enough. He then got back to his feet to contest the ball and win the penalty - brilliant!

The whole defensive effort was much improved. Gibson and Shaw looked a promising centre partnership with the Kiwi seeming well capable of fulfilling the Jason Little role. A mention also for Brendon Daniel and his two try saving tackles plus a superb hit on Tim Stimpson.

Finally, where would we be without Felipe Contepomi who was 100% with the boot?

A great team effort. The odds against Bristol after 2 minutes must have been incredible. What a win!