Gloucester-Hartpury beat Bristol Bears to win back-to-back PWR titles

“He was very calm (at half-time),” added Lynn. “The big message was to have that belief … we just needed to come out with the ball a little bit more … and that worked really well. It was a very good first half in Bristol. All credit to them.”

As the teams went out for fireworks at Sandy Park, Bristol had a burst or two up their sleeve, opening with as patient and precise a try of play as will be seen this weekend. The Bears stretched Gloucester-Hartpury this way and that before striking through the middle. Botterman’s burst left Sam Monaghan needing a stretcher to depart and after 23 grueling phases, Courtney Keight struck. It was no more than the outsiders deserved.

Gloucester-Hartpury, rattled by Bristol’s ascendancy and their adventurous spirit, had to muster a response. Fortunately, when Lewis cut a wicked midfield line and was offloaded inside Hunt, they did. With Sing’s conversion, however, the favorites found themselves with a lead that was not entirely deserved.

The first half undoubtedly belonged to Bristol. Before the break, as Gloucester-Hartpury’s discipline deteriorated, two more tries were added: Lark Atkin-Davies slotted in from a maul and Botterman muscled over from close range. “Our front row was incredible in the first half,” added Ward.