BRISTOL HIT PURPLE PATCH TO DOWN EXILES

A burst of pace and enterprise in the third quarter took Bristol into a commanding lead but two late tries from the visitors with Jack Tovey in the sin-bin gave a flattering look to the final score

In breezy conditions London Scottish kicked off the action and quickly regained possession. They failed to make much ground but the Bristol defence gave away a sloppy penalty to let the visitors kick for territory. The edged closer in the face of determined Bristol defence but were penalised for crossing. Bristol eventually made their way upfield before poor passing led to a knock-on. Scottish tried to take on Bristol but the defence looked very solid before another silly penalty allowed the visitors to take a 0 - 3  lead

Bristol pressed from the restart and forced a lineout on the edge of the Scottish 22. Bristol moved forward and Scottish went well offside to give Tristan Roberts a chance to equalise, but his kick was well off target. The Bristol pack then showed its power, driving Scottish back in the maul and Scottish were penalised in front of the posts. This time, Roberts was successful and equalised. Bristol countered well from the restart and Scottish will once again penalised. The kick went to touch and the catch and drive went in, making excellent ground and the Scottish forwards were yet again penalised in their efforts to halt the move. The kick went to the corner. The drive from 5 metres could not be stopped and captain Iain Grieve dotted down for a converted try and a score of 10 - 3.

London Scottish capitalised on poor Bristol passing to move up into the hosts 22. The defence looked well-organised and Scottish were penalised to halt their momentum. A neat chip from Roberts had Scottish in difficulties, Matt Williams bearing down on the defender. The danger was cleared touch but Bristol claimed the lineout and Tom Slater kicked and Scottish were forced to carry the ball back over the try line. The 5 m scrum was a great opportunity, but the ball was poor quality and Slater's pass to Junior Fatialofa  was forward and the chance went begging.

Scottish seized upon the reprieve were quickly up into the Bristol 22, it looked a clear knock-on by Scottish but instead the referee penalised Bristol. Fortunately, the wind was on Bristol’s side and the kick was narrowly wide. Now it was Bristol who took full advantage of a let off and Roberts kicked Bristol to within seven or so metres of the Scottish line. The pack drove, but was held up by the opposition. No matter, a penalty was on offer and Roberts made no mistake to give Bristol 13 - 3 lead on the stroke of half-time.

A harsh penalty was awarded against Bristol virtually from the kick-off but Scottish were promptly penalised in turn to even things out. A poor Bristol lineout let Scottish get on the move before a loose kick saw Bristol finally string together a backs move from 50 metres out, culminating in two on one situation with Williams going over out wide for an unconverted try but 18 - 3 lead.

Rejuvenated, Bristol were quickly back on the attack, with Williams having another chance to show his pace. George Watkins also had an opportunity to stretch his legs and Scottish were once again penalised. The kick went to touch and the drive was unstoppable. James Merriman was awarded the try and Roberts converted for a 25 - 3 lead. Bristol were quickly back onto the offensive and swift ball saw Williams once again look dangerous, but enough defenders were remained to bundle him into touch. Slater made a lovely break into space with the Exiles struggling to contain him, but they held out. Finally, the ball popped up from Merriman to Fatialofa who plunged over for the bonus point try 32 - 3.

A plethora of replacements disrupted Bristol's ascendancy and permitted the visitors time to regroup. The Scottish pack managed to drive into the Bristol 22 and Bristol were penalised. The visitors attempted to drive the lineout but Bristol defended superbly and the exiles were penalised for holding on. Bristol then gave away a succession of penalties that permitted to the visitors to keep Bristol under pressure. Scottish kept hold of the ball despite aggressive Bristol defence. The ball was worked across the pitch but finally Bristol managed to force a turnover and escape the stranglehold.

Scottish still had the upper hand and pushed back into the Bristol half and Jack Tovey was rightly yellow carded for an obvious piece of professional cheating. Why have the same not happened to Scottish in the first half? Scottish took full advantage to score easy but unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 32 - 8. Bristol did not want to end the game on this note and tried to mount another attack. A nice little kick from replacement Mark Davies just eluded Watkins’ grasp. A let off for Scottish, and they swept back for full-back Bordiss to crash over with a couple of defenders clinging  onto him for a second try. The conversion attempt was the last action of the match and  was wide of the mark, leaving the final score 32 - 13.