Bristol put on season's best performance to outclass Coventry

Tom Arscott: Man of the match display after hat-trick of tries (Picture: Gary Bray / UNiCOM www.unicomsystems.co.uk)

Bristol Rugby 46 – 28 Coventry

By Ben Sturnham

A Friday evening kick off, in front of Sky TV cameras, saw Bristol put in their best performance of the season. As a former player, I know that media coverage can have a huge impact on a team. Perhaps it was the media attention that sparked the Bristol boys into life?

A good performance and some kind words from Stuart Barnes can add massively to your net worth. I am sure, however, that the coaches would suggest this improvement came from self-generated motivation, from within the camp. Whatever the reason, it was great to see.

Bristol started brightly and should have scored within the opening few minutes but Jack Adams could not hold on to a clever cross-field kick from Adrian Jarvis. On five minutes Bristol drove an attacking line-out, Jason Spice worked the blind side and fed to an eager Tom Arscott, who finished in the corner. Jarvis missed the conversion but Bristol’s intentions were clear at 5 – 0.

Jack Adams:Late try added to Bristol's convincing win (Picture: Gary Bray / UNiCOM)

Coventry answered back with a well-struck penalty from Jo Carlisle, a most impressive youngster, on loan from Worcester’s Academy. From a halfway line-out, the Bristol forwards provided quality off the top ball. Dan Norton broke the gain line, off his blind wing. Tom Arscott supported well, to finish off a training ground move.

A careless offside penalty against Bristol gave Carlisle another difficult penalty, which he struck sweetly through the posts, to bring the deficit back to 10-6. But Bristol’s intensity increased, with some great passages of play. Bristol lock James Phillips, who is a monster of a player, smashed holes into Coventry, while the backs exploited the space out wide.

On 20 minutes, Bristol scored what I thought was their team try of the season. After several phases, play went out wide inside Coventry’s 22, the ball came back through good hands to Phillips, who was lurking in the centre position. Phillips showed great awareness to feed lock partner Roy Winters, who in turn showed good skill to give Dan Norton a two-on-one pass, for a great score into the corner. Jarvis missed the conversion but Bristol were really motoring.

More possession saw quick ball into Tom Arscott’s hands, the inspired winger gassed his opposite number, stepped back in and headed for the line 40 meters out. The cover defence and full back were in the way but couldn’t stop the brilliant chip, which bounced kindly for Arscott, to score his hat-trick under the posts. Jarvis converted putting Bristol in full control at 22-6.

Moments later, Carlisle picked up a loose ball inside his own half, the youngster jinked in and out beating several Bristol defenders on his way. Racing in, he still had Luke Arscot to beat. Another superb chip kick was executed, gathered and Carlisle scored in a heap of bodies, under Bristol’s posts.

In the meantime, a brawl involving Iain Grieve, Phillips and half of the Coventry pack was taking place at the half way line. It was compelling viewing! Unfortunately for Coventry, Carlisle had to go off injured after scoring his brilliant solo effort. Full back Ben Russell converted to make the scores 22 – 13, at the end of a thoroughly entertaining half.

Reflecting on the half, Bristol winger Lee Robinson praised team-mate Junior Fatialofa for being “Bristol’s equivalent to London Irish’s Seilala Mapusua”. I agree, as he definitely adds an extra dimension to Bristol’s all-round game. Sidelined lock Nathan Budget agreed and added: “This was Bristol’s best first half performance, particularly the intensity levels throughout the 40 minutes.”

After the break, Bristol worked another blind side from a line-out and Spice dived over in the corner. But Bristol were careless and soon after Russell slotted another penalty and suddenly Coventry looked competitive again.

Mark Irish’s impact appearance off the bench beefed up the Bristol scrum and he instantly turned over two successive Coventry put-ins. Phillips capped off his best game of the season, thundering over from close range.

Further tries from Luke Eves and Jack Adams added to Bristol’s total, a late consolation from Coventry made the final score 46 – 28.

Speaking to Bristol 247 after the game, James Phillips said he was “delighted to be a starting member of the Bristol team, even though he is filling in at lock”. Phillips added: “Bristol should have taken a little more control after half time, but everyone was pleased by the performance and end result.”

Tom Arscott was awarded man of the match for his hat-trick and he does finish well and has a natural flare for the game. I was impressed with how the pack played and generally, there seemed to be more cohesion among team members.

Intensity levels were good and the atmosphere at the Memorial Stadium was great. I am sure that all the supporters present enjoyed the spectacle. Bristol have set a benchmark with this performance, now they need to do it consistently.