BRIS STRUGGLE AGAINST ROTH

Bristol returned to the top of the league with a bonus point win against the fourth placed side, keeping up the winning start to the season.  Sounds good doesn't it?  But it was a very flawed performance from Bristol with plenty of individual errors interspersed with some good collective work.  Rotherham stuck to their task well and certainly deserved a losing bonus point at the very least.

Bristol kicked off in fine conditions, only to see Rotherham release Davies on a run through shockingly poor tackling down towards the corner before a last-gasp effort from Luke Eves halted him short of the line.  Fortunately the visitors’ support was a long time in arriving and the referee gave a penalty for holding on.  Bristol made good ground from the penalty kick and a subsequent kick ahead was superbly taken by Jack Wallace as Bristol surged forward. A knock-on terminated the move and it was Rotherham’s turn to attack.  They made good ground before the defence again parted to allow Scanlon to touch down beneath the posts with scarcely any Bristol player near him.

Bristol looked rather lethargic at this stage aside from a good run from returning George Watkins, but at least the defence appeared to have tightened up.  Gradually the hosts managed to exert some pressure and a lineout inside the Rotherham 22 was driven over the line and Chris Brooker claimed the try.  The conversion drew Bristol level.  Not for long though when all the hard work was undone by a soft penalty almost from the restart.  McKinney struck it well and Rotherham closed out the half in a deserved 7 – 10 lead.

Bristol started the second period in determined mood, camping on the Rotherham line.  The defence held firm despite repeated efforts from the forwards.  Just as it seemed that the attacking side had run out of ideas a deft shallow crossfield kick bounced nicely into the arms of Watkins who darted over untouched for a converted try.

Encouraged, Bristol surged back downfield and a clumsy knock-on from Rotherham gave Bristol an excellent attacking position the visitors’ 22.   Sadly, poor handling meant that nothing came from this promising opportunity as the ball was tamely knocked on.  Rotherham nearly managed to take the lead again with another sharp move but this time it was Watkins who put in the vital tackle. It looked as if Rotherham were destined to score when a horrible pass from Nicky Robinson was easily intercepted but, to the relief of everyone from Bristol and the horror of the visitors, the referee was playing advantage.   Bristol responded well and Preece was shown a yellow card as Rotherham once again infringed as Bristol threatened.  Frankly, having been warned in the first half as they gave away several penalties in similar positions, and more in the second half, the card was a long time in coming.  Fortunately Bristol were able to take full advantage of the extra man and the forwards again drove over the line.  Glen Townson claimed the honours and the try was converted by Robinson to take Bristol into a 19 – 10 lead.

However, Rotherham kept in touching distance when an aimless kick ahead from Dwayne Peel gave possession away and the visiting team patiently kept hold of the ball and worked a good converted try for Rieder.  Bristol had to regroup after Rotherham again went close and it seemed that a penalty kick from replacement Adrian Jarvis would give them breathing space.  Instead it rather comically off-target.  Creditably Bristol kept pressing right to the end and the match concluded with the hosts dominating territory and possession.  At the death a flowing move culminated in flying wing Max Crumpton just making it in at the corner.  This kick was much more difficult but Jarvis was spot on and Bristol sealed a bonus point 26 – 17 win by denying Rotherham a bonus point of their own.