After the excitement and free-flowing rugby of the last couple of weeks we knew that the trip to Welford Road would be a tough test for the resurgent Bears. However, the tiny glimmer of light that we could make the play-offs by winning our final four league fixtures has now been extinguished.
Yes, some of the handling errors that plagued us for much of the season crept back into our play against Leicester. And yes, the 16-3 penalty count meant we were unable to sustain pressure when we really needed to. But we still went out and played with the confidence and belief we saw in those memorable victories over Saints and Quins.
If there’s one thing this season has taught me as a Bristol fan, more times than not when we lose it is down to the errors we make rather than the brilliance of the opposition.
Don’t get me wrong, Leicester have been on their own winning streak and looked more like the worthy champions they were last season. But I think the score flatters them a little. If Magnus Bradbury’s try had stood and Ioan Lloyd’s twinkle toes hadn’t hit the touch line before diving over the try line, the score and result could have looked a lot different at the final whistle.
Perhaps the pivotal moment was Lloyd’s needless collision with Mike Brown. How often this season have we scored only to let our opponents strike back almost instantly robbing momentum from our game. A couple of tries and a Steven Luatua yellow card later and the game was gone.
As far as the league campaign is concerned a top eight finish and Champions Cup qualification is now our only aim. A couple of wins and that should be attained.
Now our attention turns to the European Challenge Cup and the visit of Clermont to Ashton Gate. If we can quickly put the disappointment of Leicester to one side and rekindle the swagger of our previous two home games than surely we should fancy not only a victory but a realistic chance of winning the trophy for the second time in three years.
Let’s rock the Gate on Friday night and keep our fingers crossed that a trip to Dublin in May could be on the cards for loyal Bristol fans.
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