Bristol Weekend Sports Roundup: 23rd - 25th September 2016

Bristol Weekend Sports Roundup: 23rd - 25th September 2016

Posted on: 26 Sep 2016

It was a great weekend for our Bristol sports teams...providing you're not a rugby fan of course. Great wins by the three football teams were equaled by the Flyers basketball team as they kicked off the season with a great win over Plymouth to get the ball rolling.

 

Bristol Rugby 17 – 41 Exeter Chiefs

Not a good day for Bristol Rugby as they had to take a 4th successive defeat in the Aviva Premiership on the chin on Friday night. Outscored by 5 tries to 3 doesn’t sound too bad but there just didn’t seem to be much of a game strategy from the Bristol boys who aimlessly punted the ball back to Exeter most times they received it. Perhaps the much anticipated returns of Callum Sheedy (hamstring) and Gavin Henson (dead-leg) will bring back a bit of attacking flair as well as some better kicking options than was present on the night. 

The first few games were always going to be a tough ask and with Harlequins beating Saracens on the weekend, Bristol, who face Sarries this Friday night (30th September at Ashton Gate) might think that an upset to the current champions is on the cards. Fingers crossed please, lots of them. Kickoff is at 7.45pm and tickets are available here

Bristol Rugby 17 - 41 Exeter Chiefs

Fulham 0 – 4 Bristol City

For the second time in four days, City headed to west London and claimed a win. The 2-1 victory on Wednesday in the EFL Cup was bettered by a 4-0 drubbing by the Robins against a Fulham side that have failed to make any sort of impact at Championship level after relegation from the Premier League. On-loan Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham scored his 10th goal of the season after just 10 minutes and Fulham looked rattled. They managed to hold it together and by the mid-point of the half the game was back on, with both teams carving out chances.

Luke Freeman calmed nerves on 60 minutes before local boy Bobby Reid delighted the 2,500+ travelling supporters with a stunning effort in the 68th minute. From then on City ran riot over the Londoners and frustration turned to red-mist when Kevin McDonald was shown a straight red for a lunge on O’Dawda for which there could be few complaints. Aiden Flint put away a fourth on 83 minutes to cap what was a near-perfect trip down the M4 for Lee Johnson’s men. For tickets and further info please click here.

Fulham 0 – 4 Bristol City

Bristol Rovers 2 – 1 Port Vale

After going behind midway through the first half thanks to a defensive mix-up, Rovers rallied and were the better side before the break. The work paid off as they equalised on 44 minutes thanks to an Ellis Harrison header. From there, the home side had the better of the running and converted that into three points when Jermaine Easter slotted home from the penalty spot on 63 minutes. Port Vale made a late fight to try and rescue a point but Rovers ultimately held on for the 2-1 win in front of more than 9,000 at the Memorial Stadium. The win sees them sat 9th in the table with 13 points after two wins in a row. For tickets and further info please click here.

Bristol Rovers 2 – 1 Port Vale

Bristol City Women 1 – 0 Durham Ladies

The final home game of the season ended in a much-needed victory over title chasing Durham and ensured City a joint-top league place, second only on goal difference to Yeovil. Olivia Fergusson scored the Vixens’ solitary goal after 19 minutes, profiting from a mistake and calmly steering the finish home. From then on both teams struggled to create chances in what was a hard-fought game. Fergusson had another good chance in the first half and Durham had to wait until 15 minutes from time to register a serious attempt on goal; one that was denied smartly by Hannah Reid in the City goal. Overall, a 3 points that took every second of the 90 minutes to earn, but ultimately leaves Bristol City Women in a great position with just two games remaining. That was the last home game of the season but for further info please click here

Bristol City Women 1 – 0 Durham Ladies

Bristol Flyers 85 – 80 Plymouth Raiders

Both teams took to the SGS WISE arena is slightly nervous fashion as both sought to work each other out. For the Flyers, the challenge was doubled thanks to a raft of new faces on the Bristol roster. Luckily it was Plymouth who found the going toughest and the score was 25-17 at the end of the first quarter. A much better second quarter from both teams saw some exciting play and Plymouth briefly take the lead before Bristol headed to the half leading 43 – 39. Brandon Boggs and Hamed Ali stood out for the home team, with the latter grabbing 12 points.

It was more of the same in the third quarter as the teams traded blows and Bristol entered the fourth quarter with just a two point lead. A frantic fourth really got the crowd going and either team could have come out on top. However, with 17 seconds remaining in the game, Ali hit two vital free-throws to ice the game. What better way to kick off the new season than with a win over your Southwest rivals? For tickets and further info please click here.

Bristol Flyers 85 – 80 Plymouth Raiders


Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.