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Investec Champions Cup
Bristol (5) 15
Tries: Oghre, Janse van Rensburg Con: Worsley Pen: Worsley
Bordeaux (17) 27
Tries: Bielle-Biarrey 3, Depoortere Cons: Jalibert 2 Pen: Jalibert
Bristol Bears missed out on securing top spot in their Champions Cup pool and with it a guaranteed home tie in the last 16 as they went down to a spirited defeat against holders Bordeaux at Ashton Gate.
France wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored a hat-trick for the French side, with his last try coming in the final play of the game.
Hooker Gabriel Oghre opened the scoring for the hosts, but two tries by Bielle-Biarrey and one from Nicolas Depoortere put the visitors in control.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg’s try sparked an exciting final 15 minutes, and Sam Worsley’s penalty brought the lead back within five points.
But like true champions, Bordeaux grabbed a vital late bonus-point try to likely head into the knockout stages as number one seeds.
Pat Lam’s side, who narrowly missed out on a losing bonus point, remain second in the pool but will drop out of a home knockout tie if Northampton defeat Scarlets (15:15 GMT).
Bristol errors cost dream home run
Wins over Scarlets, Pau and Bulls left Lam’s side in what he described as a “historic situation” heading into the game, with one more victory teeing up home knockout rugby until at least the semi-finals.
A fast start was needed to achieve that, and Harry Randall’s quick tap penalty set up former Bordeaux hooker Oghre for a dream opening for the hosts.
The high-scoring visitors responded when Matthieu Jalibert broke clear and released flyer Bielle-Biarrey.
The Bears’ handling in wet conditions then proved costly, as a loose pass was punished by Bielle-Biarrey before another error resulted in Depoortere’s score.
Superb defence dislodged the ball from Ellis Genge, who looked likely to power over, in a slower start to the second half.
Janse van Rensburg cut a short line and stretched over to set up an exciting finale.
But an error from the restart gave three points to Bordeaux, and another mistake from a restart followed just after Worsley’s penalty had brought the hosts back within striking distance.
Bristol were unable to escape their own half, and Bielle-Biarrey was quickest to react to a loose ball at the death, kicking through and dotting down for victory.
It means Saints no longer need a bonus-point win over the Scarlets, while Bordeaux have home advantage until at least the semi-finals.
‘It was really hard’
Player of the match Bielle-Biarrey, speaking to Premier Sports: “It was really hard today, both teams wanted to play but we are really happy to win and take the group. It was really important for us [to win the group] but we were not expecting it.”
Line-ups
Bristol: Rees-Zammit; Heward, Janse van Rensburg, Williams, Ravouvou; Jordan, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Rubiolo, Batley, S Grondona, Harding (capt), Mata.
Replacements: Thacker, Lahiff, Halliwell, Owen, B Grondona, Marmion, Worsley, Moroni.
Bordeaux: Buros; Penaud, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Page-Relo; Poirot, Lamothe (capt), Sadie, Palu, Coleman, Du Preez, Woki, Matiu.
Replacements: Sa, Boniface, Tameifuna, Cazeaux, Vergnes-Taillefer, Carbery, Janse van Rensburg, Rayasi.
Match officials
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant referees: Shota Tevzadze (Geo), Andrew Cole (Ire)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
