FULL-TIME: Bristol Rugby 39 Rotherham Titans 24

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BRISTOL Rugby set up a British Irish Cup semi-final against Leeds after seeing off Rotherham in a pulsating quarter-final clash.

The scoreline was deceptive, as Bristol trailed 24-22 with 74 minutes on the clock, only for Iain Grieve and Charlie Amesbury to cross late on and seal the win for the hosts.

Grieve and Amesbury both crossed twice, with Jack Tovey also scoring, while Sean Scanlon and Michael Keating scored fine tries for Rotherham, who carved Bristol open far too often and far too easily.

The lead regularly changed hands in an enthralling contest, with Bristol taking an early lead when Amesbury raced on to Auguy Slowik’s chip to score, after Bristol had taken a quick tap penalty.

The prolific Juan Pablo Socino kicked Rotherham back to within two points, before Scanlon broke from deep inside his own half to score a superb solo try – but no Bristol player got near him.

Socino converted – and then added two penalties to give Rotherham a 16-5 lead with half-time approaching.

But Bristol ensured they were back to within four points at the break, after Jack Tovey capitalised on a Rotherham mix-up to score.

From a Titans scrum, scrum-half Dan White juggled Alfie To’oala’s pass, before the ball ran loose and Tovey pounced to score.

Socino kicked Rotherham into a 19-12 lead shortly after half-time, before Grieve was driven over from a line-out for the first of his tries.

When Jarvis converted, it was 19-19 – and the fly-half then kicked Bristol 22-19 up after they opted for a rare shot at the sticks from a penalty.

But Lee Blackett’s side went back in front when Michael Keating scored a fine try, taking Scanlon’s pass after Jack Roberts broke at pace.

Bristol roared back, though. Flanker Grieve, who is likely to leave the club this summer, roused the home crowd – for the second game running – as he pirouetted his way to the line to win the match for Bristol.

Jarvis converted, and then added a penalty to take the game out of Rotherham’s reach, before Amesbury seized on a loose ball five metres out to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Bristol: A Slowik; R Edwards, J Tovey, B Mosses (B Rennie 70), C Amesbury; A Jarvis, C Braley; M Lilley (E Genge 70), O Hayes (R Lawrence 62), J Hobson (W Davis 80), J Joyce, G Townson (M Sambucetti 35), M Eadie, I Grieve, B Skirving (capt). Reps not used: J Grindal, A D’Arcy.

Scorers: Tries – Amesbury (2), Tovey, Grieve (2). Cons – Jarvis (4). Pens – Jarvis (2).

Rotherham: S Scanlon (L Hayes 77); J Broadley, J Gill, J Roberts, C Wilson (M Keating 53); J P Socino, D White (C Mulchrone 62); M Gadd, T Cruse (capt), M Tampin (R Stout 62), J Thomas-Brown, E Williamson (C Quigley 76), A Rieder, A Birch (J Preece 44), A To’oala (T Williams 57).

Scorers: Tries – Scanlon, Keating. Con – Socino. Pens – Socino (4).

Sin-binned: Preece (80).

Referee: C Evans. Att: 3,118.

Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/irfu-hit-by-26m-shortfall-in-expected-earnings-from-five-and-10-year-tickets-1.1469464

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FULL-TIME: Bristol Rugby 39 Rotherham Titans 24