It was a tough night for Bristol at the AJ Bell Stadium - another intense battle with Sale and a second defeat against the Sharks this season.
After the giddy elation of being at the game to see Bristol tear Gloucester apart last week, it was back to the sofa, slippers and remote control on Friday for the Sale game.
Despite the 0-0 score it was an intriguing first half that had me on the edge of my seat. This was physical rugby at its best. Fair play to Sale who had a game plan to stifle Bristol and make the most of their few opportunities.
So as Bristol Bears fans can we draw any comfort from Friday night? Well for me to see the likes of Thacker and Chaparro back was a big plus.
I’m also breathing a huge sigh of relief that Semi Radradra’s card was yellow instead of red. To have lost Semi for the run-in and perhaps the playoffs would have been a huge blow.
I’ve got everything crossed that we can still get the two wins we need to finish top and avoid playing Sale in the playoffs. I’m hoping that honour falls to Exeter.
If there’s one thing that we absolutely learned against Sale is that you need to match them physically up front with your toughest battlers on the field.
That’s why I was disappointed that a fit Dan Thomas didn’t make the squad. I think Bears fans would agree that he’s been one of our most consistent performers in the Pat Lam era.
He’s a player that puts his body on the line for the cause and always gives 100 percent. So in equal measures, it is a mystery and a concern that Dan was missing from the squad again.
I’m sorry but I just don’t buy it that others are performing better than him at the moment. Has there been some fall out with Pat or a breach of discipline that’s cast Dan to one side? Or heaven forbid, is his time at Bristol drawing to an end.
There’s one thing for sure, if we are to triumph in the playoffs we need warriors that lead by example and I can’t think of anyone who more typifies this than the blonde Welshman.
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