Bristol Bears dropped out of the play-off places with just two rounds of the Gallagher Premiership remaining with a 59-35 defeat away at Wasps on Sunday.
Wasps ran in nine tries against Bristol at the Ricoh Arena with: Jack Willis, Josh Bassett, Tom Cruse, Will Rowlands, Zach Kibirige, Dan Robson, Tom Willis and Gabriel Oghre touching down while referee Ian Tempest awarded a penalty try.
The Bears did salvage a four-try bonus point from the game after crossing the whitewash through Max Malins(2), Piers O'Conor, Peter McCabe and another penalty try.
Bristol Bears writer John Evely takes a closer look at the individual performances at the Ricoh Arena.
15. Ioan Lloyd - 6
Despite feeling part of the furniture at the Bears now this was 19-year-old Lloyd’s first start in the Gallagher Premiership and his handling was absolutely beautiful at times as he whipped the ball out to the wings. Failed to really break the line with just one defender beaten as Wasps did a good job to box him in.
14. Niyi Adeolokun - 4
The former Connacht flyer made his Bears debut and looked incredibly rusty for most of the game. However he was close to getting over the line only to have his score scrubbed off for having a knee in touch. Glimpses of his raw pace.
13. Piers O’Conor - 7
Playing in his more accustomed position of outside centre with no Semi Radradra in the team the former Wasp had both brilliant and poor moments. He could have given the Bears an impactful early start when he broke the line and had one man to beat but failed to give what would likely have been a scoring pass to Chris Cook. However his try in the first half was sheer class as he combined with Max Malins to tie Wasps in knots with their out to in passing. A threat in attack all afternoon.
12. Alapati Leiua - 6
The Samoan proved he does have the handling skills to come in off his wing and play in the centres and while not every pass went to hand it was a decent display in attack. He was lucky not to get yellow carded for a high tackle on Malakai Fekitoa.
11. Jack Bates - 7
The teenage winger looked very lively down his left wing and almost got away on several occasions, making 63m in attack. Great to see him backing himself on the outside.
10. Max Malins - 9
Wearing the 10 jersey for the first time since joining Bristol in the summer on loan from Saracens the fly-half was quite simply sensational. At times he felt like a one man resistance to the black onslaught. He was as slippery as an eel in attack, scoring one sensational individual try in the first half before then creating another for Piers O’Conor. Another nice finish after the break helped Malins to a tally of 18 points. Malins is far too good for this second string side and Callum Sheedy will be looking over his shoulder after this performance, with seven defenders beaten and two clean breaks.
9. Chris Cook - 5
Making his full debut for the Bears having impressed off the bench in the victory over Northampton Saints he had a terrible start at the Ricoh which really set the wrong tone early on when his box kick was charged down leading to an immediate try. Scrappy at times but could have had a couple of tries if passes had either game his way or been more accurate as he continued to run good supporting lines.
1. Yann Thomas - 5
The Bristol scrum was under the cosh throughout and gave away constant penalties and a penalty try. 11 tackles without missing
2. Will Capon - 7
The hooker had a really strong day in the lineout and was physical throughout. He has really stepped his game up.
3. Keiron Assiratti - 5
The on loan Cardiff Blue prop made his first start for the club but it didn’t last long as he was carried off by the medical staff midway through the first half.
4. Ed Holmes - 5
The lock did very little wrong but failed to impose himself on the game.
5. John Hawkins - 5
The second row had a good day in the lineout but was not hugely visible in the rest of the match with the pace fast and frenetic
6. James Dun - 5
The young flanker was replaced in the 48th minute after taking a bang to the head but despite leaving just after the break he managed to make nine tackles without missing.
7. Dan Thomas - 7
The Welsh flanker won at least three hugely important turnovers which is all the more impressive considering the calibre of the backrow he was operating against. A great link man in the loose as well
8. Jake Heenan - 6
In his first run out as captain of the Bears in the Gallagher Premiership and out of position at number eight as well. He did well considering, particularly carrying in crowded quarters.
Replacements:
16. Bryan Byrne - 8, 17. Peter McCabe - 7, 18. John Afoa - 6, 19. Joe Joyce - 6, 20. Mitch Eadie - 5, 21. Tom Kessell - 6, 22. Harry Ascherl - 6, 23. Charlie Powell - 5
