It was a long afternoon for Bristol Bears at Worcester Warriors in Round Two of the Premiership Rugby Cup, as they were beaten 68-13.
Bears full-back Charlie Powell saw red for a dangerous tackle in the air on opposition full-back Harri Doel, just before half-time.
And at the final whistle, the visitors were outscored by ten tries to two as the Worcester side with a number of first-team regulars proved too strong. Tries from Theo Strang and Jono Benz-Salomon were a consolation for the young side.
Rugby reporters John Evely and Lowri Jacob give their verdict on Bristol Bears' individual performers at Sixways....
15. Charlie Powell - 3
It was an afternoon to forget for the full-back, despite making his first start of the season.
Powell saw red at the 38-minute mark, after getting his timing wrong and tackling Worcester Warriors full-back Harri Doel in the air.
It was a dangerous tackle that could have really hurt Doel who landed on his head and fails a a HIA, and there were no complaints from either camp when he was given his marching orders.
14. Deago Bailey - 5
The 19-year-old winger showed great promise after making a half break from his own 22, but whilst looking for the offload the ball was lost and unfortunately resulted in a try for the hosts.
In many ways that was the story of the day for the Bears who took too man risks in the wrong areas on the pitch.
13. Jack Bates - 5
The centre had a couple of bright moments early in the game as he flew out the line in defence to shut down Worcester attacks but the academy product failed to shine in attack this week.
12. Antoine Frisch - 5
The centre had a huge opportunity to score off the back of a Ioan Lloyd break. Frisch showed great power to fend off an attempted tackle but lost the ball as he reached to dot the ball down and post match coach Jordan Crane identified it has the key moment in the game as just minutes later Worcester scored their fourth try to pull away from Bristol.
The summer signing has certainly got something about him as he ran hard and repeatedly got over the gain line, looking to get his arms free for an offload. On another day he could have been responsible for several line breaks but the support just wasn't around him at the right moment.
11. Niyi Adeolokun - 5
The winger showed great pace from the get-go, with a chance to burst down the wing but was later dragged into touch. Defensively Adeolokun put in a good shift, providing good cover defence whilst under pressure.
10. Ioan Lloyd - 5
Lloyd had his moments, one of those being a great run down the field, following a lovely step to break the line and found running support Frisch in the Worcester 22. Unfortunately, nothing came from then move as the centre knocked on while trying to score but it was a reminder of the magic he possesses in his boots.
Unfortunately for the second week in a row the young fly-half didn't last beyond half time, this time departing after failing a HIA to be replaced by Tom Wilstread for his senior debut.
9. Theo Strang - 5
The scrum-half provided some decent service for this backline to attack from but failed to dictate the pace of the game as Bristol were caught out playing in the wrong areas of the pitch in the first half to get themselves into trouble.
It doesn't look like he will be challenging the likes of Andy Uren and Tom Whiteley for a regular place in the first team squad along with Harry Randall any time soon.
Ashley Challenger - 5
Having signed a one-year deal with the club this week the loosehead prop stood up to be counted in the scrum in his first start to the club. It will be fascinating to whether the Bristolian can earn a longer contract and make it into a Premiership squad this season.
2. Joe Cotton - 4
Making his first start for the club after arriving on a short-term contract from Australia this summer, the hooker came out of the blocks firing and made a huge tackle on Warriors fly-half Billy Searle in the opening moments but that was about the only time the Bears got to grips with the former Bristol man all afternoon as he had one of his best performances for Worcester according to those who watch him week-in, week out.
A faltering lineout is rarely just the hooker's fault and Worcester's jumpers were competing brilliantly, but the end result was Bristol's lineout was an absolute mess, losing the ball approximately seven times on their own throw.
3. George Kloska - 5
In his first senior appearance since converting to tighthead from hooker, having originally been a flanker, he held his own in the scrum and looks to have added size to his young frame.
His positional switch is a fascinating project to watch, and with John Afoa as his mentor, there are few better players to teach him the dark arts.
4. Ed Holmes - 5
The experienced lock failed to shine as the Bears' main target at the lineout while he also had fewer eye-catching moments in the loose as well.
5. Charlie Rice - 6
The 18-year-old, making his Bears first team debut having trained with England this autumn in opposition to the national side, is tipped for the top at the club and has unreal physicality for a man of his age.
This was a step up from anything he has experienced but he still looked a physical force on the pitch. One to be watched very closely and potential successor to Dave Attwood as the enforcer in the boiler room.
6. Mitch Eadie - 7
In what was a tough game for the Bears, the flanker made a huge statement in his first appearance of the season having recovered from a back injury he suffered while on duel registration with Championship side Hartpury.
Early on he found a gap in the Worcester defence and made 30 metres whilst also drawing in defenders, his experience shone through when he opted to pass to the supporting man and put Theo Strang.
Defensively he was brilliant as well, winning a big turnover under pressure to win the Bears a penalty. The flanker was instrumental in Bristol's second try as well as it was his burst to the line that got prop Jono Benz-Salomon within touching distance to pick and go and power over.
7. Macenzzie Duncan - 5
The flanker put in another physical display to back up the promise he showed on his debut last week.
8. Nathan Hughes - 6
Skippering the side for the first time, the number eight was not afraid to take risks, a few of those which were dubious.
Twice Hughes made a powerful burst and lost the ball in the offload. Apart from that he had his moments, one being when he made a great run to put Bears on the front foot, which kickstarted the movement that resulted in the try for Jono Benz-Salomon.
Showing the mental determination Pat Lam will be looking for to get his place back in the first-team squad, although still behind Fitz Harding on current form.
Replacements
16. Aaron Thompson - 5
17. Andrew Turner - 5
18. Jono Benz-Salomon - 5
19. Alex Groves - 5
20. George Taylor - 5
21. Oscar Lennon - 5
22. Tom Wilstead - 5
A tough result for the replacement fly-half on his Bears debut. The 20-year-old entered the field just before half-time mark.
23. Matty Jones - 6
The debutant made an immediate impact off of the bench. A great break through the Worcester defence saw the replacement race down the outside to win a penalty, which was later kicked into the corner to give the Baears a scoring opportunity.
