Pat Lam beaming after eight-try romp over Exeter
03/23/2025 02:48 AM
REACTION: Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam expressed his pride in his players as they ran in eight tries in a 52-38 West Country derby victory over Exeter at Ashton Gate.
Jack Bates scored a hat-trick and James Williams crossed twice for the Bears, who managed to overcome their opponents despite a red card for back rower Santiago Grondona on the half hour.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Harry Randall, and Steven Luatua were also on the try sheet while Harry Byrne slotted six conversions to move Bristol within a point of Gallagher Premiership leaders Bath.
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"We showed a lot of composure, managed the game really well, chose the right options, didn't panic, and really showed the growth of the group," Lam said of the performance.
"We said at half-time 'Well, that's entertaining!', but our one issue was our defence and I showed the boys some clips where we were over-committing at rucks and were too tight around the rucks.
