Match Centre: Perpignan 5-19 Bristol Bears

Perpignan 5-19 Bristol Bears, Stade Aime Giral

Bristol Bears marked their return to European Challenge Cup with a 19-5 win over Perpignan in the opening round at Stade Aime Giral on Saturday.

Bristol opened their account in the second minute as Charles Piutau powered over from close range after the visitors ran through the phases and in the 12th minute Fitz Harding also dotted down. AJ MacGinty kicked both the conversions as they increased the lead to 0-14.

Pat Lam's side further extended their lead as Joe Jenkins scored their third try on his European debut with a dive in the corner. MacGinty missed the extras as Bristol went on to score 19 unanswered points.

As the break was approaching, Shahn Eru touched down at the back of a line out but Goutard missed out on the extras which meant Perpignan were trailing by by 14 points at the end of the opening half.

Perpignan tried to fightback in the early stages of the second half but whenever they got close to the line a turnover or a penalty committed ensured the gap remained at 14 points while the Bristol defence was also firm.

With the second half ending scoreless, Bristol went on to complete a 14-point victory as they host Zebre Parma in the second round next week.
Team line up:

Perpignan: Goutard; Crossdale, Sawaileau, Duguivalu, Dubois; Fernandez, Rodor; Lotrian, Velarte, Fia, Labouteley, Shahn, Bachelier, Shields, Oviedo.

Reserves: Montgaillard, Chiocci, Fakatika, Tuilagi, Moro, Viola, Labrode, Forner.

Bristol: Piutau; Morahan, Radradra, Jenkins, Ibitoye; MacGinty, Porter; Thomas, Thacker, Lahiff, Batley, Vui, Luatua (c), Heenan, Harding.

Reserves: Kerr, Woolmore, Tyack, Stooke, Thomas, Whiteley, Sheedy, Lloyd.