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R<br />
ight,<br />
now, where were we? It’s been 160 days since<br />
<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong>’ last competitive outing, after an<br />
unprecedented break in the season saw the league thrust<br />
into limbo during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.<br />
But we’re back in the game and all set for a fascinating conclusion<br />
to an already absorbing domestic and European season.<br />
Pat Lam’s <strong>Bears</strong> return to action sitting pretty in third place in<br />
the Gallagher Premiership, with their eyes set on a spot in next<br />
season’s Champions Cup, as well as the prospect of a first play-off<br />
appearance since <strong>20</strong>07.<br />
Here’s how the <strong><strong>20</strong>19</strong>/<strong>20</strong> season has unfolded so far...<br />
TOP PERFORMERS<br />
LEADING PREMIERSHIP<br />
POINTS SCORER<br />
122<br />
CALLUM<br />
SHEEDY<br />
LEADING PREMIERSHIP<br />
TRY SCORER<br />
A 43-16 bonus-point victory over local<br />
rivals Bath in front of a record crowd at<br />
Ashton Gate kicked off the new season<br />
in style, as the seven-try <strong>Bears</strong> ran riot<br />
in BS3. Luke Morahan’s brace and further<br />
tries from Nathan Hughes, Piers O’Conor,<br />
John Afoa, Mat Protheroe and Ioan Lloyd<br />
sealed an emphatic win.<br />
In round two, the <strong>Bears</strong> were edged out<br />
22-17 by Harlequins at a rain-soaked<br />
Stoop, before Ioan Lloyd’s late try sealed<br />
victory over Sale in round three.<br />
Dan Thomas’ last-gasp score try at Sandy<br />
Park saw <strong>Bristol</strong> snatch a dramatic victory<br />
over Exeter Chiefs in round four, fighting<br />
back from 17-0 down to go top of the<br />
Gallagher Premiership.<br />
There was more late drama in round five,<br />
as Stephen Myler’s 79th-minute penalty<br />
denied the <strong>Bears</strong> a fourth league win in a<br />
27-27 draw against London Irish.<br />
At Allianz Park, a second-half Saracens<br />
blitz saw the reigning champions storm<br />
clear to record a 47-13 victory, despite<br />
Luke Morahan’s early try putting the<br />
<strong>Bears</strong> in front.<br />
A first home defeat of the season<br />
followed over the Christmas period, as<br />
Nizaam Carr’s 80th-minute try sealed a<br />
dramatic Wasps victory at Ashton Gate.<br />
Callum Sheedy’s penalty just one minute<br />
earlier looked to have snatched it for Pat<br />
Lam’s men in front of more than 23,000<br />
supporters, but Carr’s devastating break<br />
down the touchline sealed a bonus-point<br />
win for the visitors, leaving <strong>Bristol</strong> with no<br />
time to respond. 4<br />
7LUKE<br />
MORAHAN<br />
MOST METRES GAINED<br />
1223<br />
62<br />
DEFENDERS<br />
BEATEN<br />
17<br />
Where be that blackbird to? Derby day success, from top: Dan Thomas (hidden) scores a<br />
dramatic winning try over Exeter Chiefs to secure the club’s first victory in more than ten<br />
years at Sandy Park; <strong>Bristol</strong> boy Joe Joyce leads the celebrations as <strong>Bears</strong> win at Bath for<br />
the first time since <strong>20</strong>06. Preceding pages: Piers O’Connor crosses for one of <strong>Bears</strong>’ seven<br />
tries against Bath in the opening Premiership game of the season.<br />
CHARLES<br />
PIUTAU<br />
BRISTOL BEARS <strong><strong>20</strong>19</strong>/<strong>20</strong>
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