LEICESTER GO TOP WITH BONUS-POINT WIN AT BRISTOL
Leicester Tigers moved to the top of the Gallagher PREM, with a brilliant 22-16 win over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate, securing all five points on offer.
Tigers struck twice in the first half through Freddie Steward and Adam Radwan, before Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jamie Blamire added two more in the second half to grab the bonus point.
Bristol opened the scoring after just six minutes, with Louis Rees-Zammit notching his fifth try of the season.
Play had seemed to break down in midfield, before the Welsh winger produced a stunning step to break the defensive line, before beating two more Leicester players to score under the posts.
However, Leicester did not wait long to level the scores, with Steward notching on his 100th PREM start.
Billy Searle dinked a lovely cross-field kick towards Steward, who collected in his stride, before diving over in the corner.
Both sides continued to attack with intensity, each creating a number of chances that were not converted.
The half changed in a three-minute period, as Bristol were reduced to 13 men, picking up two quick yellow cards for high tackles.
Matias Moroni was shown the first card, for catching Solomone Kata in the head with his arm, before Tom Jordan made the same mistake inside his own 22’.
‘100th start, another try!’ – Steward marks PREM milestone in style
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Tigers made the most of their advantage at the end of the first half, with Radwan latching on to another Searle kick to score their second try of the match.
Radwan showed blistering pace to overtake a number of Bristol defenders, before sliding with the ball over the line.
The visitors needed just two minutes at the start of the second half to extend their lead, with Searle yet again using his boot to great effect.
The Tigers worked the ball well from a line-out and Searle chipped to Hassell-Collins, who was completely unmarked and he walked it over the line.
Bristol fought back once they were back to full complement, with James Williams slotting two penalties to bring them within a score.
However, any momentum they were building was stopped when Blamire bundled over with 15 minutes to play to secure the bonus point.
Geoff Parling’s side put together a fantastic maul inside Bristol’s 22’ and charged over the line, with Blamire scoring his third try in as many matches.
The Bears continued to fight to get back into the match as Leicester struggled to close the door, but their attempts were in vain.
The Tigers go into the break top of the table for the time being, while Bristol could drop out of the top four if results do not go their way.
‘B for Breathtaking and Box Office!’ – Rees-Zammit steps his way to opening try
Video credit: TNT Sports