MARCO Mama became the first Bristol forward to score four tries in a league match as the GKIPA Championship leaders won an eighth consecutive match in the competition.
Bristol outscored Cornish Pirates by seven tries to four to secure a remarkable 13th try bonus point from 18 matches – and open up a six-point lead over second-placed Leeds.
Bristol now require only a further eight points – from five Championship matches – to guarantee their place in the play-offs.
But despite his side’s free-scoring exploits, with Mama’s four tries being supplemented by two from Auguy Slowik and one from Nick Koster, director of rugby Andy Robinson was unhappy at how his side contrived to allow Pirates four tries of their own.
Mama grabbed the first of his tries when he burst over following a quick tap penalty in the sixth minute, before two Kieran Hallett penalties brought the Pirates back to within a point.
Bristol enjoyed copious amounts of possession and territory – and increased their lead on 28 minutes when Mama scored a similar try to his opening effort, bustling over from close range.
By the time Koster had powered his way to the line from another quick tap, Bristol led 19-6 with eight minutes of the first half still to play. But Pirates grabbed their first try when Max Bodilly made a searing break from his own half and released the supporting Craig Holland to score in the corner.
Bristol banked their now customary bonus point on 40 minutes, Mama running a smart line off Koster and taking his pass to score a well-worked team try – but they also shipped their now customary try before the break, hooker Aaron Carpenter burrowing over in the corner.
Bristol led 24-18 at half-time – their tendency to allow Pirates back in after they had scored hindering their hopes of pulling clear of their visitors.
Slowik went over following a line-out drive to make it 31-18 – but a second try from Holland, this time from Joe Atkinson’s long pass, again saw Pirates back to within six points.
Mama scored what proved to be the winning try when he was driven over from a line-out – but prop Paul Andrew finished well in the corner to give Pirates hope and seal their bonus point.
Hallett’s long-range penalty made it 38-33, before Adrian Jarvis – to sarcastic cheers – took the three points on offer to restore Bristol’s eight-point cushion. Slowik made the victory safe late on when his perseverance forced a Pirates error that allowed him to seize on a loose ball and dive over.
Bristol: A Slowik; G Watkins, A Hughes (J Tovey 50), B Mosses, A Short; N Robinson (A Jarvis 58), L Baldwin (R Tipuna 50); K Traynor, S McInally (R Lawrence 58), J Hall (G Cortes 46), B Glynn (G Townson 66), M Sorenson (capt), N Koster (B Skirving 64), M Mama, M Eadie.
Scorers: Tries – Mama (4), Koster, Slowik (2). Cons – Robinson (4). Pen – Jarvis.
Cornish Pirates: M Bodilly; K Goss (R James 46), T Riley, T Hendrickson, C Holland; K Hallett, T Kessell; K Davies (J Andrew 41), A Carpenter (capt; T Channon 61), B Prescott (K Davies 61), W Carrick-Smith (J Parker 66), N Patrick (W Graulich 41), A Cheesman, J Atkinson, L McGlone (T Duncan 41). Rep not used: C Fullerton.
Scorers: Tries – Holland (2), Carpenter, Andrew. Cons – Hallett (2). Pens – Hallett (3).
Referee: J Meredith. Att: 5,035.
Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/british-and-irish-lions-spy-fear-claims-dismissed-1-2961849
FULL-TIME: Bristol Rugby 46 Cornish Pirates 33
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