Bristol Bears secured a thrilling 52-26 victory over Harlequins at Ashton Gate to clinch the fourth and final Premiership playoff spot. Despite a second-half scare, the Bears held firm to secure a home playoff tie against their fierce rivals Bath, renewing a rivalry that has often defined their seasons.
The match began with Bristol quickly establishing dominance. Within five minutes, the home side had already crossed the try line twice, thanks to the lethal wings Gabriel Ibitoye and Kalaveti Ravouvou, whose slick interplay created space for George Kloska to score early. Joe Batley soon followed with another powerful drive through the Quins defense, putting Bristol firmly in control. By the 24th minute, Bristol had racked up their 16th try bonus point of the season, a new Premiership record, underscoring their relentless attacking prowess. They maintained this momentum, scoring six tries in total during the first half to lead 26-7.
Harlequins, known for their attacking flair but less comfortable defensively, responded with two tries from Cadan Murley in the first half, including a spectacular solo effort from inside their own 22. Despite these flashes of brilliance, Bristol’s attacking strength was clear, fueled by players comfortable in the fast-paced, free-flowing style favored by the Bears. Fijian duo Ravouvou and Viliame Mata were instrumental in maintaining pressure, combining physicality with flair.
However, the game shifted dramatically after the interval. Harlequins, showing the kind of fearless, attacking rugby that has defined their past successes, began to chip away at Bristol’s lead. Jamie Benson, stepping in for Marcus Smith at fly-half, orchestrated a comeback that included setting up Murley’s first try and sending Alex Dombrandt over for another. Nathan Jibulu, the replacement hooker, caused havoc, helping George Hammond add yet another try for the visitors. The gap narrowed rapidly, with Quins pulling back to 31-26 and the crowd at Ashton Gate growing anxious.
This period of pressure evoked painful memories for Bristol fans of a previous semi-final defeat four years ago, where a late collapse had dashed hopes and threatened the long-term vision for the team under Pat Lam. But unlike that day, this Bristol side steadied themselves. A pivotal moment arrived when AJ MacGinty, the man of the match and a crucial leader on the field, delivered a perfectly judged 50-22 kick that launched an attack leading to Santiago Grondona crashing over for Bristol’s sixth try. That score proved a decisive blow to Quins’ momentum.
Gabriel Ibitoye then sealed his second try of the match, marking his 13th try of the season, before Benhard Janse van Rensburg finished the scoring with a powerful effort in the final ten minutes. Bristol’s ability to respond decisively to pressure showed a maturity and resilience that had been questioned earlier in the season.
Bristol’s season has been a tale of two halves many times dazzling attacking displays peppered with moments of defensive vulnerability. Yet their consistency in securing bonus points, scoring four or more tries in every game but two, speaks volumes about their offensive quality. Their earlier win at Welford Road, where they scored 54 points, was a statement of intent, and today’s performance at Ashton Gate reaffirmed their place among the Premiership’s elite.
Pat Lam reflected on the achievement, noting the challenge ahead. “We know how to beat Bath, having played them 14 times since our return to the Premiership and winning 11 of those matches. But they have spent nearly £3 million more than us on their squad. We’re the underdogs, but we’ll go to Bath with confidence and no fear.”
The Bears’ journey to the playoffs after a tense end to the regular season offers a fresh start. With their electric attacking play, and a newfound ability to withstand pressure, Bristol now face their historic rivals Bath in a match that promises to be as fierce and unpredictable as the season itself. The Bears’ ability to hold their nerve in the face of a fierce Quins resurgence has set the stage for an exciting playoff campaign.
