It has taken 17 games but Bristol have finally lost a Championship match

Star studded Bristol Rugby have lost their first game of the Championship, going down 34-38 to the Jersey Reds at Ashton Gate.

Despite early tries from Steven Luatua and Samoan international Alapati Leiua, Jersey went into the second half in the lead thanks to tries from Scott Van Breda’s (a brace), Jerry Sexton and Kieran Hardy.

Bristol fought back in the second half with tries from Rhodri Williams and Sam Jeffries, but they won’t able to reel in the Reds who themselves scored through a Tom Pincu intercept.

Head coach Pat Lam talked to Bristol Rugby TV in the aftermath of the Jersey defeat.

Try scorer Rhodri Williams, who is set to move back to Pro14 side the Dragons next season, spoke about his frustration at their first loss of the season.

You can read Bristol Rugby’s full match report here.

Bristol Rugby: J Williams, Morahan, Piutau, Pisi (c), Leiua; Madigan, Uren (R Williams 34); Tonga’uiha (O’Connell 54), Harris-Wright (Fenton-Wells 54), Cortes (Lay 54), Jeffries, Latta, Luatua (Joyce 8), Lam, Haining (Thomas 50).
Replacements: Fenton-Wells, O’Connell, Lay, Joyce, Thomas, R Williams, Sheedy.

Jersey Reds: Van Breda (co-capt), Pincus, Ma’afu, Best (Eastwell 62), Worrall, Cope, Hardy; Woolmore (co-capt), Selway (Macfarlane 54), Armstrong, Sexton (Kolo’ofa’I 46), Voss, Bartle (Godfrey 64), Joyce, Argyle.
Replacements: Macfarlane, Godfrey, Clarey, Kolo’ofa’i, Upfield; Dudley, Eastwell.