Rugby / Bristol Bears
Fan Appreciation Night at Ashton Gate but a game to forget
It was the first ever Fan Appreciation Night at Ashton Gate on Friday as Bristol Bears took on Exeter Chiefs.
A signed ball, a signed boot and a signed shirt came from gold boxes sponsored (like almost everything around these parts at the moment) by Huboo.
At half-time, fans got the chance to win a flight in Huboo’s hot air balloon if they could hit the crossbar by kicking a ball from the 22.
Neither kicker had any success and on the field on Friday night, Bristol did not have much success either as they conceded seven tries.
The final score was 50-14 to the visitors from Devon. Could it have been the flat whites that the Exeter players had enjoyed when they managed to squeeze themselves into Small Street Espresso earlier that day?
Bristol Bears scored a try in each half against Exeter thanks to Toby Fricker and Will Capon – photo: JMP
There were a few memorable moments: the best being a 50-metre break by a rampaging Joe Joyce, whose running line was so good no other teammate was anywhere near him when he eventually ran out of steam.
But there were also many moments to forget – or in the words of Pat Lam, some learnings.
At least Ellis Genge had some heart and he had a long chat with referee Christophe Ridley after the final whistle – after being shown a yellow and twice talking back meaning penalties were moved 10-metres further forward.
The fans appreciated the players and the players appreciated the fans on Fan Appreciation Night. But Bristol will also appreciate that they have an awful lot of work to do this season after this below-par performance.
Main photo: JMP
Read next:
- My Bristol Favourites: Joe Joyce
- ‘The tools needed to run a successful business are synonymous with sport’
- Ellis Genge the returning hero as Bristol beat Bath
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