After a gap of five months, what a way to welcome back rugby to Ashton Gate with Bristol Bears gaining a late 16-12 win against Saracens, the reigning European and Premiership champions.
Now, as fans, I’m sure all of us will put aside the quality of the performance and not only celebrate the win but the fact the Bears are back in business.
It has been a long wait to see Bristol extend their winning streak to six Premiership games and we can now look forward to a jam-packed schedule as we chase European and domestic honours between now and the end of October.
Saturday’s game boiled down to two incidents, both involving the teams’ respective hookers.
The first was Harry Thacker’s tiny nudge on Saracen’s Maro Itoje that denied Luke Morahan an amazing individual try. Was it a foul? Technically yes. But unless Itoje could accelerate like Usain Bolt in his prime, I doubt he would have got anywhere near the ‘Wizard of Oz’ let alone tackle him.
The second and ultimately decisive intervention by a hooker was Jamie George’s decision to join a maul from the side and deny Siale Piutau a try that would have been just desserts for his man of the match performance. Penalty try. George in the sin bin and a Bristol win.
This was a hard-fought victory that showed the organisation, belief and courage of this group of players The defence seems to have stepped up a level and was simply outstanding.
Having said that the performance was rusty in places. Kicking out of hand and the resulting chase was poor, to be honest.
The lineout malfunctioned at times and some of the slick passing of the pre-break team was missing. But I’m sure these things will return once we get match sharp, especially when we get to see this exciting squad playing in dry conditions and not Saturday’s damp and dreary weather.
Can you imagine what the atmosphere would have been like in those last 10 minutes if coronavirus hadn’t robbed us fans of being present at Ashton Gate to witness the win?
The stands might have been muted at the final whistle on Saturday but I can guarantee fans watching on TV at home were jumping for joy. Bring on Gloucester on Friday!
Tony Cox is co-host of Bears Beyond The Gate. A weekly Bristol Bears rugby podcast made by fans for fans. You can listen to and download the latest episode HERE
