ANOTHER COMEBACK VICTORY FOR BRIS

In a remarkable match, Bristol were outscored by five tries to four but still managed to comeback from a 10 -21 halftime deficit to wrest victory from a visiting team that, for the first hour or so, made hardly any errors.  An entertaining game, but Bristol really do need to tighten up their defence if they are to gain promotion.  When was the last time Bristol conceded so many tries and still managed a win?

Pirates kicked off the game and was soon on the scoreboard when Ward broke through terrible tackling in midfield, the ball went out left and the Bristol defence was once again miserable and allowed Suniula over for a converted try with scarcely a minute played. The visitors claimed a Bristol lineout and moved dangerously into the Bristol 22 before being forced into touch. Bristol managed to claim this lineout but made no great use of the ball and had to kick. Pirates claimed the ball and launched another attack off of the back of poor Bristol ball control. Bristol managed cleared touch and Pirates were penalised. Once again Bristol struggled in the lineout and the visiting pack drove down into the corner where Bristol were penalised. Pirates kicked for the corner. They went left, then back right as they sought a way through. Bristol defended valiantly, but Pirates held onto possession before a thumping tackle from Fautua Otto forced a turnover and allowed Jon Goodridge clear to halfway.

An excellent charge down from Iain Grieve finally allowed Bristol to win a penalty in the visitors half. The kick went to touch and the pack drove well into the Pirates 22 before clumsy knock-on terminated the move as the ball was spun left. The Pirates scrum seemed under pressure, and and, when reset the referee penalised the visitors. Tristan Roberts made no mistake to narrow the gap to 3-7.

The restart was well claimed and Pirates went offside. However another poor lineout saw Pirates claim the throw. They kicked this hard-won possession away and Jack Tovey, out on the wing, took the ball well. Pirates were penalised again on halfway. Roberts went for the post but his kick, though good, went under the crossbar. As Pirates worked their way upfield Bristol were penalised and Pirates were able to clear well into the Bristol half. This time, surprisingly, Bristol took the lineout and Pirates were penalised. Bristol struggled to make much ground before Junior Fatialofa raced on to a pass from Roberts. He created space for himself by barging attempted tackles aside and crossed to the left of the posts. Roberts converted and Bristol lead 10-7.

Pirates were undeterred by this setback, and more good lineout play saw them threatened the Bristol line. Jason Hobson saw yellow in his efforts to stem the tide. Unsurprisingly, Pirates chose to scrum but again appeared to struggle and their run was forced into touch. The defensive lineout was shockingly overthrown and Ward grasped the ball to score an easy converted try.

Bristol kicked to within 10 m of the Pirates line but were given an object lesson on how to win a lineout, drive the opposition back, win a penalty and clear any danger. Pirates probed away making ground before Bristol managed force a turnover. Sean Marsden failed to make touch with his kick and the Pirates winger, Doherty, set off on an arcing run that finished with him in at the corner, without a hand laid on him. Cooks conversion was excellent and Pirates led 10-21. With the half drawing to a close, Bristol suddenly launched a swift attack with Fatialofa and Otto to the fore, only for an inexplicable penalty to halt the promising move. The half ended with Bristol on the attack without any positive result.

Bristol started the second half in positive fashion but soon gave away a penalty for offside. Surprisingly, Cook was well off target. Pirates kept up the pressure though, and went to touch from another penalty. The initial drive was driven back by the defending pack, but still the visitors edged closer and eventually they overpowered the defence for the bonus point try. Ward again displaying his power. Cook made no mistake this time and it was 10-28.

Bristol tried to overcome the deficit and Roberts sent a penalty to touch 5 m out. The lineout went Bristol's way and Bristol shifted the ball from side to side. For an instant the move seemed break down as replacement Ruki Tipuni juggled with the ball. Instead, this seemed to wrong foot the defence and Iain Grieve was able to cross by the posts for a converted try and a score of 17-28.

Bristol had sparked to life, but a wayward kick from Roberts went dead to give Pirates good field position. Bristol managed to force a good turnover, but then failed to capitalise on this hard-won ball, neglecting to commit any numbers and the visitors were able to win back possession. Pirates took full advantage and more poor defending from Bristol allowed Kessell to romped over virtually unopposed. The score stood at 17-33 and it seemed that any hope of the Bristol comeback had just been snuffed out.

This fear, seemed to be confirmed, when Roberts kicked the restart out on the full. However, the Bristol pack were still full of fight and the scrum on halfway was superbly won. Replacement Josh Ovens set off on a searing break. He was well supported by James Merriman who just managed to touch down for a converted try brought score to 24-33. Bristol now had the bit between their teeth and the pack were causing their opponents all sorts of problems. Pirates were penalised, and should really have seen yellow, and Roberts landed the monster penalty to edge Bristol to 27-33.

Another penalty went to Bristol, but this time Roberts kick failed from even further out. Despite this setback, Bristol launched an attack from deep with Merriman making a fine run. He was well supported by Jon Goodridge who surged over for a converted try and, amazingly, 34-33.

A lovely up and under from Roberts pinned Pirates back on the 22 and Bristol came away with the ball. The visitors were penalised and Roberts pushed Bristol further in front at 37-33. Pirates failed to make a 10 m from the restart and Roberts again kicked for territory. A penalty went to Bristol and, with time running out, Bristol chose to go for the corner. Bristol drove from the lineout and again Pirates were penalised. Again the ball went to touch, but this time the drive was held and they were forced into touch. All this action the corner and eating at the time and, when Pirates won a penalty of their own, they could make little from the scrappy final action and Bristol held on for another nerve-racking comeback victory