Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Bristol Bears 25-14 Leicester Tigers

Bristol Bears 25-14 Leicester Tigers, Ashton Gate

Gabriel Ibitoye starred with a double as Bristol Bears managed to hold off a second half fightback from Leicester Tigers to complete a 25-14 victory in the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership at Ashton Gate on Friday.

The opening try of the season came inside the first minute as full-back Rich Lane spotted the gap and kicked the ball to the corner allowing Ibitoye to touchdown but AJ MacGinty missed the conversion to make it 5-0.

Charlie Atkinson had an opportunity to open their account in the 8th minute but his penalty drifted wide as Bristol extended their lead further with Harry Thacker dived over the line after a rumbling maul and shortly Fitz Harding released Ibitoye, who completed his second try in the 22nd minute.

MacGinty kicked both the conversions but missed a drop goal attempt as Pat Lam's side scored 19 unanswered points in the opening half hour of the game.

James Williams extended Bristol's lead further as he kicked back to back penalties at the end of the half time and the start of the second half to make it 25-0 before Leicester finally responded back with Tom Whiteley's kick was collected by Dan Kelly as he ran unopposed and Charlie Atkinson kicked the conversion to make it 25-7.

With eight minutes left in the game, skipper Hanro Liebenberg found the gap in Bristol's defence to power his way over and Jamie Shillcock kicked the extras to provide a glimmer of hope for the Tigers but the home side ensured there was no slipping back to complete a 25-14 victory.

Bristol will now head to cinch Stadium @ Franklin's Gardens for their second game against Northampton Saints on 21st October while Leicester Tigers will host Sale Sharks at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next.

Team line up:

Bristol: Lane, Heward, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ibitoye, MacGinty, Randall; Woolmore, Thacker, Tyack, Dun, Batley, Harding (c), D. Thomas, Bradbury.

Reserves: Capon, Turner, Kloska, Caulfield, Luatua, Marmion, Vakatawa, O'Conor.

Leicester: Brown, Bassett, Porter, Kelly, Hassell-Collins, Atkinson, Powell; Van Wyk, Clare, Heyes, Henderson, Wells, Liebenberg (c), Cracknell, Rogerson.

Reserves: Dolly, Whitcombe, Hurd, Williams, Hatherell, Whiteley, Shillcock, Cokanasiga.