It was a case of two points dropped for Bristol Bears on Sunday afternoon as the Gallagher Premiership leaders let a 25 point lead just slip to draw 34-34.
In the glorious sunshine at the equally impressive new Brentford Community Stadium, Bristol ran riot in the first half with Charles Piutua causing chaos in the Exiles rank with a staggering performance from full back.
Despite Sam Bedlow being sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle in just the third minute, the former All Black sparked the attack, intercepting a pass inside his 22 to go the length of the pitch before putting in Piers O’Conor.
Moments later Siva Naulago intercepted 5m out and there was no catching the rapid rugby league convert.
On the half hour mark Chris Vui crashed over for his first try of the season and then Naulago and Piutua struck again.
Piutau took a long kick through and bumped off the first attempted tackle and passed to Naulago and the two men interchanged passes to go 75m and score the bonus point try after 35 minutes.
Naulago finished with a staggering 190m in attack, Piutau 160m.
But Steve Mafi, one of London Irish’s big name Pacific Islanders, burst through the tackle of Yann Thomas to score a vital try for the hosts just before the break to make it 13-31.
With Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam understandably thinking the job was done he replaced veteran prop John Afoa at the break, and soon brought off Steven Luatua and Piutau.
In contrast London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney had packed his bench with international experience, and as the Bears tired his side got stronger.
Theo Brophy Clews and Nick Phipps finished two well worked scores to put the hosts in touching distance and with four minutes remaining Tom Parton touched down in the corner to give Paddy Jackson a conversion to level the scores.
The Irishman cooly slotted it to complete a remarkable comeback, and secure another high scoring draw between the two sides after a 27-27 draw back at Ashton Gate last season.
With the final play of the game London Irish really should have completed the job and won the game but after breaking down the wing Parton’s pass inside to his two supporting men dissected the two of them and was then knocked on.
In the end both sides walked away with three points which leaves Bristol three points clear of second place Exeter Chiefs.
London Irish: 15 James Stokes, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Theo Brophy Clews, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ben Meehan, 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Matt Cornish, 3 Lovejoy Chawatama, 4 Steve Mafi, 5 George Nott, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Albert Tuisue
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Terrence Hepetema, 23 Tom Parton
Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Piers O’Conor, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Siva Naulago; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Will Capon, 3. John Afoa, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Mitch Eadie.
Replacements: 16. George Kloska, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. John Hawkins, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Tom Kessell, 22. Ioan Lloyd, 23. Alapati Leiua.
Referee: Karl Dickson (37th Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Andrew Jackson & Jamie Leahy.
TMO: Ian Tempest.
Citing Officer: Nick Wood.
