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Bristol end 11-year wait for Premiership win over ill-disciplined Gloucester
By Ben Spratt
Bristol Bears preyed on a shoddy final 20 minutes from Gloucester to earn a first Premiership win over their ill-disciplined opponents in 11 years on Friday.
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Gloucester were in control on the hour-mark, leading by six points, but two yellow cards and a penalty try saw their lead wiped out and Bristol held on to triumph 28-24 at Ashton Gate.
The hosts made a flying start as former Gloucester man Dan Thomas was free on the right to finish a flowing move and open the scoring.
Jason Woodward crossed for a converted Gloucester try, but a pair of Callum Sheedy penalties ensured Bristol were in front at the break.
Billy Twelvetrees’ three-pointer kept the visitors in the game, before an Andy Uren try extended Bristol’s lead.
| UP THE BLOODY BEARS!#BRIvGLO pic.twitter.com/pNv2THfdoT
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) March 1, 2019
And they led 20 minutes from time as Tom Marshall’s acrobatic effort was followed by Ollie Thorley’s try, seemingly putting the fourth-placed side in control.
But Woodward went into the sin bin for an intentional knock-on, before Bristol powered towards the line from a driving maul that led to a penalty try, with Franco Marais yellow carded over that incident.
The visitors still might have stolen victory as Twelvetrees kicked wide, but Ian Madigan’s own penalty provided some breathing space and Bristol successfully held their opponents at arm’s length.
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