Leicester Tigers 24 – 54 Bristol Bears: Player Ratings as visitors run riot in East Midlands
Today at 05:22 AM
By George Wellbelove
Bristol Bears thrashed Leicester Tigers to go top of the Gallagher Premiership in a record breaking victory.
The visitors secured their tenth away win in a row in a match that started with both sides trading blow for blow. Ollie Hassell-Collins and Gabriel Oghre both scored early braces before Kalaveti Ravouvou extended Bristol’s lead.
Tigers would not be able to handle Bristol’s attacking and expansive rugby as the tries started flying in. Bill Mata, Richard Lane and Gabriel Ibitoye all crossed before half time and the match was already out of Leicester’s hands.
Bristol would let their foot off the gas and went over for two more tries with Sam Worsley adding four conversions, who filled in adeptly for the injured AJ MacGinty.
Leicester would take a point away from the match as Josh Bassett was able to score to secure a four-try bonus point.
The Bears scored the most points every against Leicester at Welford Road with the Tigers having never conceded more points home or away in the Premiership before.
Take a look at our player ratings below.
Leicester Tigers – 24
Tries: 4 (Hasell-Collins 7′, 16′, Steward 49′, Bassett 80′)
Conversions: 2 (Pollard 17′, 49′)
Penalties: 0
Drop Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 0
Red Cards: 0
Starting XV: 15. Freddie Steward 14. Josh Bassett 13. Will Wand 12. Solomone Kata 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 10. Handre Pollard 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Nicky Smith 2. Julian Montoya 3. Joe Heyes 4. Cameron Henderson 5. George Martin 6. Hanro Liebenberg 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Olly Cracknell
Replacements: 16. Charlie Clare 17. James Whitcombe 18. Will Hurd 19. Jed Holloway 20. Emeka Ilione 21. Jack van Poortvliet 22. Jamie Shillcock 23. Joseph Woodward
Bristol Bears – 54
Tries: 8 (Oghre 9′, 14′, Ravouvou 19′, 71′, Mata 29′, Lane 37′, Ibitoye 40′, Janse van Rensburg 59′)
Conversions: 7 (MacGinty 10′, 15′, 20′, Worsley 29′, 38′, 60′, 72′)
Penalties: 0
Drop Goals: 0
Yellow Cards: 1 (Oghre 49′)
Red Cards: 0
Starting XV: 15. Richard Lane 14. Jack Bates 13. Kalaveti Ravouvou 12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg 11. Gabriel Ibitoye 10. AJ MacGinty 9. Harry Randall; 1. Ellis Genge 2. Gabriel Oghre 3. George Kloska 4. James Dun 5. Joe Owen 6. Steven Luatua 7. Fitz Harding 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16. Harry Thacker 17. Jake Woolmore 18. Jimmy Halliwell 19. Jamie Hodgson 20. Benjamin Grondona 21. Kieran Marmion 22. Sam Worsley 23. Benjamin Elizalde
LEICESTER TIGERS PLAYER RATINGS
15. Freddie Steward – 7
Lots of carries early on and some thundering hits. Shining light in a disappointing performance.
14. Josh Bassett – 5
Overran by Bristol on his wing but notched a late score to secure a bonus point.
13. Will Wand – 6
Always tricky against Bristol’s centre partnership but had a decent game.
12. Solomone Kata – 5
A couple of carries but largely went missing throughout the game. The centre position is proving to be an area of weakness for Tigers somehow.
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins – 8
Two early scores and was able to show off his blistering pace and strength. Good performance
10. Handre Pollard – 6
Not his usual self in this match and it showed.
9. Ben Youngs – 6
First start of the season for the scrum-half and he did not do enough to warrant another start.
1. Nicky Smith – 6
Quiet game for the prop and was overshadowed by Bristol’s strong pack.
2. Julian Montoya – 6
A couple of carries and good lineout throwing. Not much more to say.
3. Joe Heyes – 5
Not a great game for the England man. Did not affect the game much.
4. Cameron Henderson – 5
Not a great game to return to for the second row and did not have a big impact on the game.
5. George Martin – 5
Similar to Henderson, Martin was quiet and ineffectual.
6. Hanro Liebenberg – 6
Leicester’s usual hitman was unassuming but did have a couple of moments with ball in hand.
7. Tommy Reffell – 6
Some turnovers but only what you would expect from Reffell.
8. Olly Cracknell – 5
Went missing throughout the match.
Replacements – 5
Jack van Poortvliet was brought on early in the second half for Ben Youngs but was unable to truly put his mark on the game. As the second half progressed, Bristol started to become more defensive so the replacements were unable to break them down unlike in the first half. The rest of the bench was ineffectual but the damage was already done by an outstanding Bears side.
BRISTOL BEARS PLAYER RATINGS
15. Richard Lane – 7
Assured performance at full back with plenty of room to run.
14. Jack Bates -7
Much like Lane, Bates was able to showcase his pace and made some good carries.
13. Kalaveti Ravouvou – 8
A couple of tries and a barnstorming performance at outside centre. His partnership with Janse van Rensburg is second to none.
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg – 9
An outstanding showing from the South African with a man of the match performance. Is it time to see him in an England shirt?
11. Gabriel Ibitoye – 9
The winger continues to impress as he put on a scintillating performance. Lots of lovely offloads and incredible pace caused Tigers all over the field.
10. AJ MacGinty – 7
Made Oghre’s first score and showcased his superb kicking skills. Unfortunate to go off injured.
9. Harry Randall – 8
Gave his halfback partner lots of quick ball. Absolute livewire and a job well done.
1. Ellis Genge – 7
Good scrummaging early on and broke the line a few times. He can be proud of his contribution to his side.
2. Gabriel Oghre – 8
Scorer of his side’s first two tries and was at the heart of everything good for Bristol. A yellow card later on for repeated infringements but did not cost his side.
3. George Kloska – 7
Thrust into the starting lineup at late notice with Lahiff dropping out injured but did well to hold his own.
4. James Dun – 7
Neat hands for a second row and went about his work quietly on the pitch.
5. Joe Owen – 7
A workhorse on the pitch and hit every ruck. Good showing.
6. Steven Luatua – 8
Offloads, tackles and running metres. What more could you want?
7. Fitz Harding – 8
An outside call for the England squad, Harding showcased his skills once again.
8. Viliame Mata – 8
Starting to truly come into his own after a couple shakey matches to start his time at Bristol. Rewarded with a try for his efforts.
Replacements – 8
The bench were able to continue where there starting counterparts left off. Sam Worsley was brilliant with plenty of tackles and good game management from fly-half. Harry Thacker was also effective at hooker. Credit to the replacements who did not slack when they came on and were able to keep Leicester quiet until the very end.
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