Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Bristol Bears 35-37 Saracens
Elliot Daly scored two tries for Saracens
©PA
Bristol Bears 35-37 Saracens, Ashton Gate
Saracens claimed a dramatic 37-35 victory over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate, thanks to Alex Lozowski’s 83rd-minute penalty.
In a rollercoaster Premiership match, Saracens overcame an early deficit and a strong Bristol performance to secure a last-gasp win.
Bristol Bears started the match with a bang, scoring in the second minute through Fitz Harding from a well-executed lineout move. AJ MacGinty added a penalty to extend the hosts’ lead to 8-0, and Bristol looked in control as Saracens struggled to find their rhythm.
Saracens responded after Gabriel Ibitoye was sin-binned for killing the ball, with Theo Dan bundling over for a try. Lozowski’s conversion cut the deficit to one point.
However, Bristol immediately hit back when Harry Randall pounced on a loose ball, scoring to give the hosts a 13-7 lead.
Saracens fought their way back into the match with a stunning interception by Hugh Tizard, who set up Rotimi Segun for a brilliant try. Lozowski’s conversion put Saracens ahead 14-13, but Bristol reclaimed the lead just before halftime as Harding scored his second try, making it 20-14. Lozowski’s penalty before the break saw Saracens trail 20-17 at halftime.
Bristol extended their lead early in the second half as Harding completed his hat-trick, and Toby Fricker added another try to put the Bears in control at 32-17.
However, Saracens mounted an immediate comeback, with Elliot Daly stepping his way through the defense for a crucial try, reducing the deficit to 32-24.
Lozowski’s penalty brought Saracens closer, but MacGinty kicked another for Bristol, putting them eight points ahead.
As the match neared its conclusion, Daly sparked a late Saracens revival, scoring after combining with Brandon Jackson to cut the lead to just one point.
With the clock ticking down, Saracens secured a penalty deep into stoppage time, giving Lozowski the chance to snatch victory.
He made no mistake, sealing an incredible 37-35 win for Saracens and sending the Ashton Gate crowd into shock as Saracens celebrated their comeback triumph.
Team line up:
Bristol: Lane; Fricker, Bates, Jenkins, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Lahiff, Caulfield, Batley, Dun, S Grondona, Harding (capt).
Reserves: Thacker, Woolmore, Kloska, Owen, B Grondona, Marmion, Worsley, Elizalde.
Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Hallett, Segun; Goode, van Zyl; Carre, Dan, Riccioni, Itoje (capt), Tizard, McFarland, Knight, Willis.
Reserves: George, Brantingham, Clarey, Isiekwe, Michelo, Simpson, Tompkins, Jackson.
