In theory, it was the day when Bristol merged second place and rechecked its premier title credentials. The sun was shining, the pitch was stiff and fast, and the free-score bear welcomed the inspirational wing Gabriel Ibitoe after four months of absence from injury. But what really happened was a dominant victory for Leicester, where they overhauled Bristol and placed second by points behind, with four games remaining. Michael Chaika’s one-year assignment as Tigers coach will soon be over, but there is no discount on the possibility that he will leave the Premiership Championship.
Remembering the return fixture last December came close to the build-up when Patlam’s side infused 54 points to his opponent at Welford Road. “We’ve noticed that there’s a bit of vengeance that’s coming back for us,” Lamb told TNT Sports before kickoff. He was right. The Tigers were hurt by the humiliation of their blessings, but they could undoubtedly remind them that the bear was slammed 38-0 at home on the night Ibitoe was injured.
Again, Bristol has switched seamlessly from sublime to ridiculous. Adam Radwan’s attempt had put visitors in front of Bristol’s Calabety Lavovaux exploded to 22 in 11 minutes. He looked isolated after being dragged, but the Tigers defender covering could not have imagined the vision and accuracy of a candid, one-handed off-roading vision and accuracy, quickly crossing the arrows by Lavaux, to Ibitoe, lurking near the touchline. The wings made the finish look simple.
Soon something ridiculous came. As Bristol’s attack clearly began to check, Ibitoe’s overly ambitious pass drifted into the thankful hands of Ollie Hassel Collins on the way, giving the wing a clear run to the line. Jacques van Plutofriette quickly scored Leicester’s third attempt, and it became a 22-5 halftime lead on Chaika’s side when Handle Pollard added a penalty to his two conversions. It’s not the script that Ram had in mind. The only downside for Leicester was losing Joe Hayes to Sinbin due to a coincidence high shot from Fitz Harding.
Still, as this is Bristol, it felt unlikely that the Tigers would cleverly shut out victory. Ravouvou was burning under the post six minutes after the break. When AJMacGinty was converted, the Bears returned within 10. Bristol’s offensive effect remained a concern, but the Bears covered the defensive lineout in 63 minutes, but fullback Freddish Tuward defended Bonnath points in the process and ended up over the game? Not a little. Harry Randall’s sniper effort for Bristol made it another 10-point game, and their off-road excellence constantly questioned the tired Tigers’ real guard questions.
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Randall landed again with six minutes remaining after being pulled near the post by Leicester’s alternative scrum half-ben Young, but knocked after returning to his foot. The converted try reduced the late payment to three points in a few minutes, and was minutes to play. That wasn’t the case, and Cameron Henderson broke for the fifth Leicester try, converted by Jamie Silcock on the final kick. Bristol’s tricky look break-in-the-line – Northampton and saleways, buses and kin at home, suggesting that if they don’t improve this, their season can quickly go south. A new disappointment may loom for the loyal Bears fans, but Cheika’s men appear to be moving their gear.
