Bristol blow playoffs open with win at Leicester
Superb 1st try
By Duncan Wood
May 18 2002
Bristol were dismissed on Sky as 'outsiders' before kickoff but the Shoguns put in an inspired performance to become the first team to win at Welford Road since December 1997 and are now just one game away from Twickenham.
Conditions at Welford Road were pretty terrible but they were the same for both teams. Bristol adapted far better than Leicester and utilised an masterful game plan. People will point to the fact that Leicester were missing some key players but Dean Ryan was also without 11 first teamers.
The Argentinian half backs, Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi, were simply masterful. They bore the responsibility of executing the game plan and they did it to perfection. In the second half in particular, they kicked beautifully and forced Leicester to run the ball from deep in atrocious conditions.
The game started relatively quietly with both sides probing for a weakness. The main incident of note was an unfortunate injury to Leon Lloyd who sadly had to leave the field on a stretcher although the prognosis was more promising according to the commentators.
The Tigers had plenty of possession in the first 10 minutes but a red defensive line stretched across the pitch and a Lee Best hit on Freddie Tuilagi epitomised the commitment. Leicester looked to be trying to put Bristol away early on but the Shoguns held on.
The match was punctuated by stops for injuries in the opening 20 minutes and a fine Contepomi penalty from 45 metres on 17 minutes was cancelled out by Andy Goode on 19 minutes when Darren Crompton was penalised for holding on.
Bristol then blew the game open in a glorious 20 minutes before half time. From a set scrum on the left, Felipe Contepomi drifted across field and David Rees came back on the angle. He blew the defensive line apart and powered clear of the cover. Felipe added the extras.
Bristol struck again on 37 minutes when Contepomi again drifted across the pitch after good lineout work by the forwards. This time he made the half break himself and although his pass didn't quite go to hand, Lee Best was able to ship the ball onto Jamie Williams who slid in at the corner. Ashley Rowden (running the line) had to be consulted but TV replays showed that Williams was in before being pushed into the corner flag. Contepomi's magnificent touchline conversion extended the lead to 17-3.
Goode reduced the gap with a penalty on 45 minutes but Bristol bounced back to break Leicester hearts and again Contepomi was the creator. He drifted in between Austin Healey and Andy Goode before passing inside to Mike Lipman whilst looking the other way. His conversion made it 24-6 at half time and Welford Road was almost silent.
Bristol came out for the second half and knew that the onus was on Leicester to produce something special in the second half. However, the Shoguns did the smart thing and didn't opt to sit back and defend their lead - they actively sought to extend it.
Pichot and Contepomi took the game by the scruff of the neck and tormented Leicester with the precision of their kicking. The forwards did their bit by competing superbly at the set piece and avoided giving away silly penalties.
The reward for the territorial and possession domination was a penalty by Felipe Contepomi who extended the Bristol lead to 21 points at 6-27.
The whole team continued to tackle like demons and maintained the pressure on Leicester. The Tigers needed a stroke of luck to create a chance. Mike Lipman was unfortunately caught offside when Felipe Contepomi hacked ahead. The penalty was kicked to the corner and Leicester used their trusty catch and drive tactic. They looked to be going over but Neil McCarthy worked wonders to get under the ball.
Leicester then thought that Rod Kafer had squirmed over but referee White again adjudged that a 5 metre scrum was the only reward.
In fact, Bristol turned over possession and came perilously close to finishing the game off as they hacked the ball downfield. Phil Christophers was in space with a try beckoning but the ball arrived at his feet and he couldn't hold on.
Bristol were even able to squander two more penalty opportunities although they were from long range and, given the conditions, were incredibly difficult.
Leicester had the final word when Andy Goode ghosted over in injury time but it didn't affect the final outcome.
The Sky studio team remarked at half time that it was a day for flippers. Too right it was! Bristol's very own 'Flipper', Mr Contepomi rose to the occasion and ran the show.
But let's not forget the contribution made by the rest of the team. Today was about a team effort. Consider someone like Jim Brownrigg who could have been playing his last game for the club. He was superb.
Likewise Neil McCarthy only a mere 24 hours after rumours emerge about Mark Regan returning to the club.
But, it's unfair to single out individuals. Today was a great win for the Bristol Shoguns - both players and supporters.
A home semi final beckons and wouldn't it be a superb gesture if season ticket holders were allowed in free of charge? Similarly, if ticket prices were reduced, wouldn't it be fantastic to see a sell out Memorial Stadium roaring the boys onto Twickenham?
Come on Bristolians - we're 80 minutes away from Twickenham and the European Cup. Support your team.