Latest news with #PatLam
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bristol thrash Quins to book semi-final derby spot
Gallagher Premiership Bristol (26) 52 Tries: Kloska, Batley, Ravouvou, Mata, Ibitoye (2), Grondona, Janse van Rensburg Cons: MacGinty (6) Harlequins (12) 26 Tries: Murley (2), Dombrandt, Hammond Cons: Benson (3) Advertisement Bristol secured their Premiership semi-final at Bath in style with a superb attacking display in a 12-try epic at Ashton Gate. The Bears needed a win to be sure of a top-four spot and made the perfect start, registering a bonus point inside 24 minutes with close-range scores from George Kloska and Joe Batley and explosive Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata tries. Cadan Murley's fine first-half double reduced the gap to a 14-point lead at the break. Gabriel Ibitoye extended the advantage to 31-12 soon after the restart but memories of the 2021 'Bristanbul' comeback by Quins at Ashton Gate loomed large as the visitors notched quickfire tries from Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond to go within five points. Advertisement However, scores from Santiago Grondona and Ibitoye settled the nerves before Benhard Janse van Rensburg brought up the half-century as the Bears booked a trip to their West Country neighbours on Friday night. Blistering start sets the tone for Bears Noah Heward made his first Bears start at full back since January after injury while Pat Lam handed Argentina international lock Pedro Rubiolo his Bears debut. With a semi-final spot out of reach Danny Wilson made three changes to the Quins starting XV as Jamie Benson made his first Premiership start at fly-half while Luke Northmore returned at centre and Nick David started at full back. Advertisement It took just 93 seconds for the hosts to break the deadlock as quick hands from MacGinty sent Ibitoye flying down the left wing and despite some good defence from Quins near their own line, prop George Kloska plunged over near the posts, with MacGinty slotting the extras. The second try arrived inside five mins as lock Joe Batley stretched to touch down over the line after another powerful drive, with MacGinty again converting. A penalty kick into the corner and a deep lineout paved the way for Luke Northmore to cross for Quins after an angled run on 10 minutes but the try was chalked-off for a forward pass from Dombrandt, who was then held-up over the line by Fitz Harding after a bulldozing run straight from the restart. Quins got back in it on 17 minutes when Murley raced onto a clever chip forward from Benson on the 22 to catch a high bouncing ball and plunge over, allowing Benson to add two points from infront of the posts. Advertisement Bristol extended their lead just three minutes later as Harry Randall found space on the right and Fijian flyer Ravouvou raced down the whitewash to acrobatically dive over in the corner for his 11th try of the campaign, though the conversion sailed wide. The onslaught continued and Mata produced a brilliant angled run and bulldozed his way under the posts through some rather static defence for Bristol's fourth try and a bonus point on 24 minutes, with MacGinty notching the conversion to make it 26-7. Bears' 16th try bonus point of the season is a new Premiership record. Batley was denied a second try by another forward pass to the left wing before MacGinty's pass was intercepted by Hammond in midfield and a long ball out wide paved the way for Murley to step inside his man and scorch down the left from inside his own half for his 11th try of the season just after the half-hour, though Benson missed the conversion attempt from out wide. Gabriel Ibitoye beats Jamie Benson to the line and finished as joint top try-scorer with Ollie Hassell-Collins with 13 [Getty Images] Bears battle back after nervy start Six minutes after the turnaround Quins replacement Sean Kerr almost broke away but Bears won back possession and Ravouvou's break down the left and some fine passing across the width of the field paved the way for Ibitoye to stroll into the right corner for his 12th try of the campaign, a new club record, against his former club, though the conversion was unsuccessful. Advertisement Bears nerved started jangling, as memories of the 28-point collapse in the 2021 semi-final against Quins returned as the visitors notched two converted tries in three minutes. Dombrandt reduced the arrears after a slick dummy through the line from Benson created space and Quins added another from close range on 52 minutes after a break from Northmore, with Hammond diving through a crowd to touch down on the line, with Benson's third conversion making it a five-point game. The hosts could breathe again on 58 minutes when Grondona plunged over to end a series of goalline probes, with MacGinty adding the two points, and some lightning hands and feet from MacGinty saw the ball spread to Ibitoye on the left to jink his way to the line for try number 13, the joint most in the league this season, with MacGinty adding the extras from the whitewash to restore the 19-point lead and bring up 1,000 in his Premiership career for Bears and Sale. As Quins wilted in the Bristol sunshine Bears were denied a penalty try for Benson's slap into touch behind the posts, however Janse van Rensburg barged through a gap to dot down behind the posts to bring up the half-century, with MacGinty adding his sixth conversion. Advertisement The hosts saw out the final 10 minutes without further alarm to register their biggest ever win over Harlequins, secure their return to the semi-finals for the first time in four years and book a mouthwatering clash at the Rec on Friday night. 'We know how to beat Bath' Pat Lam, Bristol director of rugby, told BBC Radio Bristol: "I am very proud of this group, this is probably one of the highlights of my time at Bristol Bears. "We know there's areas we can improve on. To be missing stardust players for several months at a time, the squad has really gelled together to get us through the tough times." Advertisement [On the derby date at the Rec on Friday night] "We're excited. Bath have only lost three games this year, and we've beaten them twice. "We've played them 14 times since we've been back in the Premiership, won all of them at Ashton Gate, once at the Principality and we've won more at the Rec than we've lost. "We know how to beat Bath. The challenge is it's now a semi-final. I have to get the game plan right." Quins head coach Danny Wilson said: "We started the game terribly today and it put us in a bit of a hole. "We were back in it at 31-26, but then Bristol capitalised on their opportunities. Advertisement "They are a very, very good side if you let them let rip. It has been a painful end to the season." Bristol: Heward, Ravouvou, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Thomas, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, Grondona, Harding, Mata. Replacements: Thacker, Woolmore, Lahiff, Owen, Luatua, Marmion, Byrne, Bates. Harlequins: David; Isgro, Beard, Northmore, Murley; Benson, Porter; Baxter, Walker, Lamositele, J Green, Hammond, Kenningham, Evans, Dombrandt. Replacements: Jibulu, Els, Streeter, Launchbury, Lawday, Murray, Kerr, Halfpenny. Referee: Luke Pearce
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ibitoye double fires Bristol past Harlequins to clinch playoff tie at Bath
A long way, still, from a first English title maybe, but Bristol stared down their darkest demons in the sunshine at Ashton Gate. No, no, not again, all but the most phlegmatic of a raucous crowd must have been thinking, as Harlequins threatened to overturn Bristol's early lead in all-too-familiar style, midway through the second half. Memories of that extraordinary semi-final here four years ago were at the forefront of everyone's minds, including, surely, those in blue out there on the greensward, lungs burning, minds twisting. Had they succumbed, the entire Pat Lam project might just have gone up in smoke, so yawning the flaws would have seemed. Advertisement Related: Lions match highlights on free-to-air TV this summer – with Welsh commentary As it is, players, coaches and staff held their nerve. Only five points ahead with more than 25 minutes remaining, having been 19 ahead midway through the first, Bristol finished strongly to claim the fourth playoff spot – and with it a tie at deeply beloved rivals down the A4, Bath. They can move on to that now with confidence and little to lose. The telling moment was a searching touch-finder from AJ MacGinty, the man-of-the-match and such a vital hand on the tiller for this wild, free-flowing team. His 50-22 just shy of the hour set up the attack from which Bristol replied to Quins' questions, in a way that proved impossible in 2021. When Santiago Grondona drove over at the second attempt, for Bristol's sixth try of the day, the visitors, albeit this time playing without the prize on offer the year they went on to win the final, fell away. Gabriel Ibitoye, once of Quins himself, scored his second a few minutes later, his 13th try of the season, before BJ van Rensburg crashed over with 10 minutes remaining. In a match that was a microcosm of their season – so rich in action and flair for the first half, before dwindling alarmingly in the second half – Bristol had righted themselves to deny Gloucester and Saracens, who both registered bonus-point wins behind them. Advertisement Bristol had rattled up an early lead. Not quite the 28-0 lead after half an hour they held in 2021, but 26-7 up, bonus-point fourth in the bag, within 25 minutes is going some. They thought they had a fifth within the half-hour, only for it to be chalked off for a marginal forward pass. George Kloska, Joe Batley, the lethal Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata were the try-scorers, with Cadan Murley, electric as always, scoring the first of two first-half tries for Quins. When Ibitoye finished a counterattack from Bristol's 22 five minutes in the second half, all seemed set fair at 31-12. But then came Quins, without a care in the world. Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond finished quickfire tries to set the Bears the test. They came through.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Ibitoye double fires Bristol past Harlequins to clinch playoff tie at Bath
A long way, still, from a first English title maybe, but Bristol stared down their darkest demons in the sunshine at Ashton Gate. No, no, not again, all but the most phlegmatic of a raucous crowd must have been thinking, as Harlequins threatened to overturn Bristol's early lead in all-too-familiar style, midway through the second half. Memories of that extraordinary semi-final here four years ago were at the forefront of everyone's minds, including, surely, those in blue out there on the greensward, lungs burning, minds twisting. Had they succumbed, the entire Pat Lam project might just have gone up in smoke, so yawning the flaws would have seemed. As it is, players, coaches and staff held their nerve. Only five points ahead with more than 25 minutes remaining, having been 19 ahead midway through the first, Bristol finished strongly to claim the fourth playoff spot – and with it a tie at deeply beloved rivals down the A4, Bath. They can move on to that now with confidence and little to lose. The telling moment was a searching touch-finder from AJ MacGinty, the man-of-the-match and such a vital hand on the tiller for this wild, free-flowing team. His 50-22 just shy of the hour set up the attack from which Bristol replied to Quins' questions, in a way that proved impossible in 2021. When Santiago Grondona drove over at the second attempt, for Bristol's sixth try of the day, the visitors, albeit this time playing without the prize on offer the year they went on to win the final, fell away. Gabriel Ibitoye, once of Quins himself, scored his second a few minutes later, his 13th try of the season, before BJ van Rensburg crashed over with 10 minutes remaining. In a match that was a microcosm of their season – so rich in action and flair for the first half, before dwindling alarmingly in the second half – Bristol had righted themselves to deny Gloucester and Saracens, who both registered bonus-point wins behind them. Bristol had rattled up an early lead. Not quite the 28-0 lead after half an hour they held in 2021, but 26-7 up, bonus-point fourth in the bag, within 25 minutes is going some. They thought they had a fifth within the half-hour, only for it to be chalked off for a marginal forward pass. George Kloska, Joe Batley, the lethal Kalaveti Ravouvou and Viliame Mata were the try-scorers, with Cadan Murley, electric as always, scoring the first of two first-half tries for Quins. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion When Ibitoye finished a counterattack from Bristol's 22 five minutes in the second half, all seemed set fair at 31-12. But then came Quins, without a care in the world. Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond finished quickfire tries to set the Bears the test. They came through.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Premiership set for rugby's Super Saturday as Bristol, Leicester, Sale, Gloucester and Saracens all battle for play-off spots
For 17 rounds of Gallagher Premiership action – the entirety of the season so far – Bristol Bears have found themselves firmly ensconced in the league's top four. Now, as matchday 18 comes around and the play-off places will be decided on Saturday, Pat Lam's men are in danger of dropping out of the positions that matter most right at the last and at the worst possible time. Welcome to the Premiership's Super Saturday where the jeopardy is real and the action will be played simultaneously. If this season so far is anything to go by, there will surely be some sort of dramatic twist. The Premiership has thrilled this term with tries galore. Expect that trend to continue as the league reaches its crescendo. Bristol's fate is at least in their own hands, something that wasn't the case when they missed out last year. Any sort of win over fellow basketballers Harlequins will seal the Bears a play-off. 'I'm really proud of this group. We've got one of the smallest squads in this competition and we haven't left the top four all season,' said Bristol director of rugby Lam. 'We got in there in round one and haven't left. I don't want to put more pressure on the group, but we've got a chance to spend the whole season in the top four. 'That would be a massive achievement.' Expect Bristol and Harlequins to trade try upon try. It won't be good for the heartrate of Bears supporters, whose nerves won't have been helped by the news their British & Irish Lions prop Ellis Genge won't be at Ashton Gate due to injury. Genge should be fit for a possible semi-final. Bristol are also light at full-back, with Noah Heward stepping in at No 15. The Bears should still have enough given Harlequins can't make the end-of-season shake-up. 'Our goal has always been the top four,' Lam said. 'The only achievement we want this weekend is a win because nothing else means anything if we drop out at the very last. 'It's been a while since it's been in our control. This time last year we were in great form but were reliant on Saracens beating Sale. 'That's not a great place to be. 'This year, it's all in our hands. It's finals rugby. We want to be a part of that mix. 'We haven't been for four years now. There's a lot to play for. It's like a quarter-final. 'We all know the ramifications. The dangerous teams are the ones who have nothing to play for.' Runaway league leaders Bath have already secured a home semi-final which will take place at The Rec on Friday night. It is quite possible Bristol will be the opposition. That potential is fascinating given Bristol have beaten Bath twice this season and they've only suffered three defeats in the league in all. Unsurprisingly, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan has rested his first-choice stars for the trip to Saracens with that in mind. Saracens need a bonus-point win and for other results to go their way to stay in title contention. But that is unlikely. Second-placed Leicester are in the box seat to seal the other home semi-final. They host bottom side Newcastle and really, five points is virtually guaranteed. 'We planned out our season in advance and this is how we sort of saw it coming,' said Tigers boss Michael Cheika, whose one and only campaign in charge could yet end with domestic glory. 'Now you push to the summit. It is finals footy all the way. You can't slip up at all. I feel like I know what I need to provide the players. 'Mentally, we are lot stronger as a team and have a lot more fight in us under pressure. 'We are starting to raise a bit of the heat. This is probably a position the players didn't think they would be in at the beginning of the season. 'Self-belief is something we have had to build. The players are excited and nervous too.' Sale haven't won at Exeter in five years. That poor record will have to change for the Sharks to continue circling and it surely will do, not only because of the Chiefs' struggles but also because Sale look to be timing their run to perfection. They are third. Their chances of overtaking Leicester are slim, but Alex Sanderson's men are ones to watch. They have a healthy squad of players in fine form and in the magical George Ford, an experienced No 10 at the top of his game. Sharks director of rugby Sanderson said of the Premiership's format: 'It's mega, brilliant. There is always criticism that as leaders, Bath should be title winners like in football. 'But I think this format keeps the league alive and it's a lifeline for clubs who might have had injuries or not great form at the start of the season. 'They can find themselves where we are now. 'It requires you to manage your squad and find form at the right time. 'This week has a sense of finality because it's the final day of the regular season. If you get it wrong, there is no next week. Gloucester are on the outside looking in of the top four hoping for rivals to falter 'But it's been like that for us for the last six weeks. 'There's a little bit of luck involved. All the lads who were injured for us at the start of the season, the likes of Jonny Hill, are now back fit. 'Raffi Quirke and George won't be as fatigued as the rest of the Premiership because of the time they weren't able to play at the start of the season. 'That's the little bit of luck I mention. 'Maybe we'd be a little bit nearer to Bath now if they had been fit earlier, but I'll take the position we're in right now. 'George makes my job a lot easier. He's a calming influence on me, not just the rest of the group. 'It's probably what I need! It's players like him who help you win cups. 'You have to have them.' With Ford pulling the strings and Bristol possessing home advantage, Sale and the Bears should complete the top four alongside Bath and Leicester. YOUR GUIDE TO 'SUPER SATURDAY' (All kick-offs 3.05pm) Bristol vs Harlequins - Ashton Gate - TV: TNT Sports 1 Bristol have things in their own hands and while it's no guarantee, they do deserve a top-four spot on the basis of their season's form. No Marcus Smith for Harlequins could well be a defining factor. Prediction: Home win Gloucester vs Northampton - Kingsholm TV: Discovery+ After their European heartbreak, Northampton have given their big guns the weekend off as they can't qualify. Gloucester should win, but five points might not be enough as they'll need either Bristol or Sale to lose. Prediction: Home win Saracens vs Bath - Stone X Stadium - TV: Discovery+ Bath are home and hosed as league leaders, so have rested their stars with their home play-off semi-final on Friday in mind. As such, expect a Saracens win. Prediction: Home win Leicester vs Newcastle - Mattioli Woods Welford Road - TV: Discovery+ It would be a dream for Michael Cheika if his only season with Leicester was a successful one. The Tigers will beat Newcastle comfortably and then the real action will begin. Prediction: Home win Exeter vs Sale - Sandy Park - TV: Discovery+ It is a quirk of fate that Sale have so often struggled at Exeter. But the Sharks side of today has not only plenty of bite but also something very real to play for. You can't say the same about the Chiefs. Prediction: Away win Predicted Gallagher Premiership play-offs: Bath vs Bristol and Leicester vs Sale Bristol are also helped by Harlequins leaving out Marcus Smith. Gloucester, however, are waiting in the wings for any slip-up. They should really seal five points against Northampton's reserves and will then have to pray for Bristol or Sale to fail to deliver. Expect thrills and spills as the regular league season reaches its finale. One thing is for sure – it is likely to be anything but dull.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bristol appoint long-serving Reed as coach
Bristol's former England centre Amber Reed has been appointed as assistant coach at the Premiership Women's Rugby side. The 34-year-old retired at the end of this season after 16 years with the Bears after almost 200 matches including 47 England will also manage the partnership between the club and the University of Bristol's women's will work alongside a yet-to-be appointed head coach after long-serving boss Dave Ward left last month. "Amber is a legend of Bristol Bears Women and her knowledge and experience will be invaluable as she continues her coaching career, and the programme begins a new chapter," Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam told the club website. "She is hugely respected both by the players and staff and we're excited to see her flourish as a coach in the same way she did as a player during an illustrious career at the top." The Bristol-born centre has spent her entire senior career with her hometown club and her final game was the Bears' Premiership Women's Rugby semi-final defeat by eventual champions Gloucester-Hartpury."This club means the world to me," Reed said."It's been my home for 16 seasons as a player and I've seen it grow in to one of the best clubs on and off the field."It has provided me with so many opportunities over the years and I'm excited to take the next one into coaching."Being able to work alongside world-class players and coaches is an amazing step for me to be a better coach and there's nowhere else I'd want to be right now."
