Match Centre: Gallagher Premiership: Bristol Bears 55-35 Newcastle Falcons

Bristol Bears 55-35 Newcastle Falcons, Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears delivered a dominant performance at a rain-soaked Ashton Gate, running in eight tries to secure a bonus-point victory over a determined Newcastle Falcons side.

The emphatic 50-26 win cements Bristol’s position in the Gallagher Premiership’s Play-Off places, marking their seventh league win of the season.

The Bears wasted no time asserting their dominance, surging to a 21-0 lead within the opening quarter. The scoring spree began with Gabriel Oghre, who powered over from a well-executed lineout drive. Noah Heward followed with a brilliant individual effort, hacking a loose ball forward and regathering to score.

Kalaveti Ravouvou then showcased his flair, combining with Kieran Marmion on the short side for a sensational 50-metre try.

Despite Bristol’s early control, Newcastle responded with tries from Callum Chick and Jamie Blamire, reducing the deficit and keeping the visitors in the contest.

A second try for Ravouvou, set up by slick handling from Rich Lane, appeared to put the Bears back in command. However, Newcastle refused to back down, as Max Clark and Ben Stevenson crossed the line to close the gap to just three points heading into the final stages.

With the Falcons down to 14 men following Alex Hearle’s yellow card for a high tackle on Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Bristol capitalized on the numerical advantage. Viliame Mata, Kieran Marmion, and Deago Bailey added quickfire tries to extend the lead. Heward completed the rout with his second score of the game as the clock turned red, sealing the eight-try performance.

The Bears’ ability to capitalize on opportunities and their clinical finishing under pressure highlight their growing momentum as the season progresses. The victory solidifies Bristol’s position in the top four, leaving fans optimistic about their prospects in the Gallagher Premiership.

Team line up:

Bristol: Lane; Heward, Jenkins, Janse van Rensburg, Kavouvou; Byrne, Marmion; Thomas, Oghre, Lahiff; Dun, Owen, S. Grondona, Harding, Mata.

Reserves: Capon, Woolmore, Kloska, Luatua, Heenan, Wolstenholme, Elizalde, Bailey.

Newcastle: Obatoyinbo; Pepper, Hearle, Clark, Stevenson; Connon, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, McCalllum; De Chaves, McDonald Seran, Van der Walt, Lockwood, Chick.

Reserves: Fletcher, Rewcastle, De Bruin, Hawkins, Leatherbarrow, Davis, Wilkinson, Spencer.