Bristol wrap up Christmas bonus within half an hour

PAT Lam lavished praise on his Bristol side as they delivered a breathtaking attacking performance to demolish sixth-placed Pirates at Ashton Gate.

Chris Vui’s secondminute try set them on their way to a twelfth successive league win, before Luke Morahan, Alapati Leiua and Tusi Pisi ensured the bonus point was wrapped up inside 28 minutes.

Pirates hit back with tries either side of halftime, courtesy of Tom Lawday and Alex Cheeseman, before Jack Lam restored order with a 55th-minute effort.

Josh Caulfield grabbed a third for Pirates before a scintillating score from Mat Protheroe – and late tries from Joe Joyce and Sam Jeffries – rounded off an emphatic win.

“We talked about putting on a show, but tonight was about our work ethic off the ball,” Lam said. “Guys knew their roles and we scored some quality tries.

“We had a bit of a slip, but it wasn’t as bad as we’ve had before and we recovered and came back stronger. We are constantly showing improvements – we’re getting better on the battlefield.”

The hosts hit top gear from the first whistle as Chris Vui steamed over with Madigan adding the first of eight conversions on another faultless night from the tee.

The Irishman then turned provider for Luke Morahan with a pinpoint cross-field kick, before Jordan Williams sent Alapati Leiua in for Bristol’s third. Leiua’s surging run saw Jordan Williams cross for the bonus-point score inside half an hour. Pirates showed their character to hit back with tries either side of half-time from Tom Lawday and Alex Cheesman.

Bristol were dealt a blow when Vui left the field on a stretcher following a long delay for treatment, but it didn’t halt the hosts’ charge, as Jack Lam collected Madigan’s inside pass to score his side’s fifth try.

Pirates responded through Josh Caulfield, but at the other end – and after another long delay with the TMO – referee Matthew O’Grady awarded Bristol’s sixth to Joe Joyce.

There was still time for replacement Protheroe to dazzle with a 70-metre sprint to the line, and Sam Jeffries burrowed through the melee to touch down on the stroke of full time.

Pirates coach, Gavin Cattle: “We showed a lot of character to get back in that game – I’m proud of the lads, they stuck at it.”