Bristol Bears player ratings after Pat Lam's side put the pressure on the top four with a record-breaking win over Gloucester at Ashton Gate.
Bristol dominated the first half, controlling almost all possession and racing in five tries in the opening 40 minutes, with another ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up.
The visitors managed to spark some hope with two tries that came well against the run of play, including one right on the stroke of half-time, despite some ill-discipline which saw them get three yellow cards in the first period.
While Gloucester put up a bit of a fight in the second, their threat was quickly neutralised and the Bears raced into a lead that they never really looked in much doubt of losing.
It petered out into a comfortable victory for Pat Lam's side, who now find themselves just two points from the play-offs with the top four yet to play.
Bristol Bears: 53
- Tries: K. Marmion (4'), K. Ravouvou (14',17'), F. Harding (33'), Penalty try (38'), T. Jordan (46'), G. Oghre (56')
- Cons: J. Williams (5',18',33',47',57')
- Pens: T. Jordan (76' 80')
Gloucester: 12
- Tries: G. Barton (12'), D. Gwynne (40')
- Cons: G. Barton (40')
- Pens:
Bristol Bears player ratings:
15 Rich Lane — 6.5
Came into the side in place of Louis Rees-Zammit following the Wales star’s injury. Arguably the quietest of Bristol’s starting backs, with few notable moments.
14 Kalaveti Ravouvou — 8
A real handful throughout, proving incredibly difficult to tackle. Showed an unexpected willingness to kick early on. Took his second try well in the corner, then added another for his third. Also produced some sharp footwork around halfway to create space.
The hat-trick wasn't to be as he got replaced just under 50 minutes in.
13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg — 7.5
Played a key role in the second try with some excellent distribution. Carried frequently, often taking contact. With England eligibility coming later this year, the centre may well catch the attention of Steve Borthwick.
12 James Williams — 7
Solid performance, keeping things ticking over, though perhaps not as impactful as others. Ran some good lines and added a bit of sharp, quick playmaking.
11 Gabriel Ibitoye — 8
Found good space and carried well when opportunities came. Sparked the third try with a sharp break straight from the restart after the second, and also won a well-earned turnover at the breakdown.
Drifted infield frequently, so didn’t see as much traditional wing involvement, but still got through plenty of work, especially at the breakdown.
10 Tom Jordan — 8
Showed some tidy touches early on, but had a kick blocked just a few metres out following a dummy box kick, which led to Gloucester’s first try, a costly error but didn't affect them in the grand scheme of things.
Produced a lovely break and pass to Marmion that almost created a score and instead resulted in a Charlie Atkinson yellow card. Also delivered a well-placed kick to the corner for Ravouvou.
In the second half, made a sharp intercept, moved it wide, and then finished the move himself for the opening try after the break. His penalty late on got them up to 50 points.
9 Kieran Marmion — 7.5
Came off not long into the second half, after a very tidy performance in which he bagged the first try of the game, sneaking around a ruck just inches from the try-line to go over.
Elsewhere, he made some sniping runs and stole the ball very well from Seb Atkinson on one occasion.
1 Ellis Genge — 8
Genge set the tone early with a strong opening tackle and plenty of vocal fire. Carried with purpose throughout and won a key moment when he took a head shot from Seb Blake that resulted in a yellow card.
Also involved in a heated exchange with Afolabi Fasogbon at half-time, picking up from their clash last season. Went off just before the hour mark.
2 Gabriel Oghre — 7.5
Impressed at the breakdown, though had a lineout stolen, unusual given his typically high standards. Got himself on the scoresheet around the 50-minute mark and produced another strong showing from the England hopeful.
3 George Kloska — 8.5
Kloska delivered a strong all-round shift, carrying well and making a crucial try-saving defensive play on 21 minutes that drew a big reaction from teammates. He also won a scrum penalty and contributed effectively at the breakdown in the lead-up to the sixth try before going off after 57 minutes.
4 James Dun — 7
Penalised for an entry at the maul on one occasion. Put in plenty of effort, though without many standout moments.
5 Joe Batley — 7
Back from a thumb injury, he impressed with his lineout work in the first half and also secured a turnover. A solid all-round shift.
6 Joe Owen — 6.5
Carried reasonably well and was strong at lineout time. However, knocked on in the build-up to what would have been Bears’ fourth try after receiving the ball from a lineout.
7 Fitz Harding — 8.5
Produced a nice offload despite being smashed in contact and carried strongly throughout. Knocked on from a long lineout, and thought he had a clever, close-range finish over the ruck for a fourth try, only for it to be ruled out by the TMO for a knock-on.
Did eventually get his reward with a try from close range, and also pulled off a superb one-handed take at the lineout in the build-up to the seventh.
Awarded Player of the Match by the TNT Sports.
8 Benjamin Grondona — 7
Made an excellent, quick-reaction tackle to shut down Jack Clement straight from a scrum. Added a few strong carries and got through plenty of hard graft.
Replacements:
16 Harry Thacker — 6.5
17 Jake Woolmore — 6
18 Lovejoy Chawatama — 6
19 George Taylor — 4
20 Luka Ivanishvili — 6
21 Harry Randall — 6.5
22 Matias Moroni — 6.5
23 Noah Heward — 6.5
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