Bristol break Premiership record with thumping victory at Welford Road

Bristol sent out a major title statement as Pat Lam’s men set a new Premiership record in a thumping 54-24 win over Leicester at Welford Road.

The visitors served up an impressive eight-try crushing of fellow high-flyers Leicester and celebrated a remarkable record 10th successive away victory – beating Saracens’ previous best of nine wins.

Leicester also conceded a record-equalling number of points in a Premiership contest as Gabriel Oghre and Kalaveti Ravouvou each grabbed a brace of tries.

This mauling of fellow hopefuls Tigers demonstrated just how clinical and over-powering they can be. Boss Lam seems to have found the right recipe of balancing an aggressive style with equally aggressive fortitude and resistance.

Bears were in full control of this contest by the break following a fast, furious and frantic 40 minutes where both sides threw caution to the wind but it was the visitors who growled loudest… and into a 40-12 half-time lead.

Six tries to two was an impressive haul and advantage for a Bristol side who had fallen behind to Ollie Hassell-Collins’ early score. The wing celebrated signing a recent new contract by diving over.

Yet, it merely poked the Bears into a fierce and angry response.

Firstly, Ellis Genge fed hooker Oghre to cross unchallenged after a fine attack. AJ MacGinty added the extras and did so again when Oghre bull-dozed over from close range for his second try.

Tigers raced down the other end of the field with Hassell-Collins showing his pace again to complete his brace.

The home cheers turned to more groans as Bears’ centre Ravouvou strolled nonchalantly over for a try and he was followed by the huge frame of Viliame Mata.

The 6ft 5in, 19st Fijian forward sealed the bonus-point try as he crashed his way over from a few yards.

Full-back Rich Lane finished off the best of the first half-dozen Bears tries. The visitors broke from deep, and Lane juggled the ball before crossing the line.

Sam Worsley, who had replaced the injured MacGinty, converted but missed his next kick after wing Gabriel Ibitoye sauntered over the Tigers line for try number six.

Leicester badly needed the early second-half try provided by Freddie Steward, which lifted spirits… along with the yellow card for Bristol’s Oghre for foul play at the preceding line-out.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s charge down try extinguished the small chink of Tigers’ light as Bears regained their grip, and Ravouvou put the icing on the Bears’ Christmas cake with a 60-yard solo effort.

Josh Bassett’s try in added time at least salvaged a try bonus point for the hosts.