Shoguns overturn odds with win in Montferrand

2 tries
By Duncan Wood
January 12 2003

Bristol overturned the odds by upsetting mighty Montferrand in France this afternoon. Not many people fancied the Shoguns's chances but Brendon Daniel led the way with 2 tries as Bristol clinched a superb win.

Considering everything that has been said and written about the club this past week, this was a truly wonderful win that gives Bristol a mathematical chance of making the Heineken Cup quarter finals.

And how sweet the afternoon must have been for Brendon Daniel who scored two tries only a week after his error contributed to Will Greenwood's vital try away at Harlequins.

The game at home to Leinster next week now has huge significance with a win over the Irish province only enough to keep alive Bristol's prospects of progressing.

The conditions were far from ideal and the pitch had a light covering of snow which reflected the fact that the match was in doubt until late on Friday afternoon.

Bristol shocked the French favourites by taking an early lead. Pichot put pressure on the French line with a deft chip. Brown won the lineout before Contepomi and Archer combined in midfield to give Daniel an opening. The winger broke 2 tackles and went under the posts. Felipe added the conversion to make it 7-0.

Bristol then came under huge pressure but held out until the half hour mark with spirited defence (and a willingness to give away penalties!) until Montferrand hit back in style.

A 5 metre lineout was worked wide and fly half Sadourny looped a long pass out to Elvis Vermeulen to go over. Bristol must have wished that Elvis really had left the building and Viars levelled matters with a conversion from out wide.

Montferrand continued the pressure and took advantage of a sinbinning for Garath Archer when lock Lionel Vaitanaki took advantage of his side's dominance up front and drove over the line. Arch was sinbinned for not rolling away at a ruck the the French side kicked for touch and drove the lineout over. Viars converted.

Contepomi reduced the lead to 14-10 with a penalty but Montferrand had the final word when Viars made a great break up the middle before linking with replacement lock Eric Lecomte who galloped over for a try in the last play of the half. 19-10 at half time.

Bristol came out fiighting and came close to scoring but Felipe was in good form with the boot and reduced the gap with 2 penalties before Sadourny dropped a goal to make it 22-16.

The Shoguns then shocked the French by taking the lead when Daryl Gibson made a break after good work by Pichot and Brown fed Brendon Daniel in midfield who raced over. Contepomi's touchline conversion made it 22-23.

Bristol now had to defend like mad men and Viars missed a penalty attempt in injury time. Replacement Jamie Williams then put the pressure on Montferrand by kicking deep into the French 22 and then forced a mistake as he intercepted a desperation pass and went over for the clinching score. Felipe converted and Bristol had overturned the odds by winning 22-30.

What a difference a week makes and why does this team play so well when they're up against it? This win makes the defeat at Swansea all the more frustrating.

Well done to each and every player for the way they bounced back this week. This was a fantastic win and they deserve the plaudits.