Bristol Weekend Sports Roundup: 29th-30th October

Bristol Weekend Sports Roundup: 29th-30th October

Posted on: 31 Oct 2016

Both City and Rovers rue stoppage-time shortcomings in their matches against Barnsley and Peterborough, while Bristol Ladies subvert the fortunes of their male counterparts whose dismal Premiership season continues.

 

Barnsley 2-2 Bristol City

Bristol City

Bristol City were denied another impressive comeback victory at Oakwell on Saturday, when a last gasp strike from Adam Hammill robbed them of two points in injury time.

 

The Robins had had to come from behind after Marley Watkins headed Barnsley to an early lead, with their mission remaining possible thanks to Frank Fielding, who saved a Sam Winnall penalty soon after.

 

Lee Tomlin had no such problems from the spot however, equalising after Adam Jackson handled in the area, before Tammy Abraham opportunistically slotted his 12th of the season (above) to put City in front with 15 minutes to go. It was Hammill, linked with a move to Ashton Gate in the summer, who had the final word however, depriving the Robins of the three points required to climb to fifth in the Championship.

 

Lee Johnson’s side therefore remain sixth in the table, with their next game a tricky visit from second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, who arrive in the South West on Saturday (5th November).

 

 

Bristol Rovers 1-2 Peterborough United

Bristol Rovers

Another stoppage time sucker punch broke the hearts of the Gas Army, as Bristol Rovers surrendered a lead to lose to play-off rivals Peterborough, who leap-frog them to seventh in League One.

 

A spot kick early in the second half, after they had had the better of a goalless first period, gave Matt Taylor his 11th goal of the season and Rovers a deserved yet short-lived lead. Shaquille Coulthirst made amends for conceding the penalty, firing in five minutes later to equalise following keeper Kelle Roos’ fumbling of a straightforward cross.

 

Tom Nichol’s cruelly snatched the points for Peterborough in the third minute of injury time, with a simple finish ensuring his side overtake their opponents in the race to the play-offs.

 

Next up for Darrell Clarke’s men is Fleetwood Town’s visit to the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday (1st November).

 

Bristol Rugby 13-31 Sale Sharks

Gavin Henson

Bristol’s winless return to the top flight continued as they were easily beaten by an impressive Sale Sharks outfit, as Gavin Henson’s return from injury lasted only 11 minutes.

 

Tries from Paolo Odogwu and Mike Haley took Sale to a 12-0 half-time lead, after a shoulder injury to Henson (above) had blighted his first start since the opening day of the season, with coach Andy Johnson suggesting that he will require further surgery as a result.

 

This was the least of Bristol’s worries on the day though, as disappointing defense allowed Byron McGuigan, Eifion Lewis-Roberts and Tom Curry to go over after the break to put the visitors out of sight, before Shane Geraghty landed two penalties and converted David Lemi’s try to make the score symmetrical, if not competitive.

 

The loss marks the ninth consecutive defeat in all competitions for the club, whose miserable return to the Premiership continues.

 

Bristol Ladies 27-5 Saracens

Bristol Ladies

In stark contrast to the men’s fortunes, on Sunday Bristol Ladies continued their unbeaten season with a resilient defeat of Saracens Ladies at Cleve to remain top of the Premiership at the halfway point.

 

Bristol’s failure to clear a wayward penalty attempt in the opening exchanges resulted in the first points, with ex-team-mate Bryony Cleall dotting down to give Saracens an early lead. Chantelle Miell crossed in the corner to level the scores at 5-5 at the end of a scrappy first half.

 

The hosts ran away with it in the second half, with a debut Premiership try from captain Amelia Buckland Hurry preceding a pacey brace from winger Jasmine Joyce and a five-pointer from Sarah Bern, coming as the result of some powerful running.

 

Victory means that Bristol Ladies have beaten every team in the league, which they lead with 34 points. Next up for them is a visit to Aylesford on Sunday 27th November. 

 

Bristol Flyers did not play in the BBL this weekend, but return to action with a home game against Leicester Riders on Saturday November 5th. 


Article by:

Sam Mason-Jones

An ardent Geordie minus the accent, Sam seemingly strove to get as far away from the Toon as possible, as soon as university beckoned. Three undergraduate years at UoB were more than ample time for Bristol (as it inevitably does) to get under his skin, and so here he remains: reporting, as Assistant Editor, on the cultural happenings which so infatuated him with the city. Catch him at sam@365bristol.com.