Bristol edge Saracens and move up to second
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Bristol Bears claimed a narrow 16-12 victory over Saracens with a late penalty seeing Pat Lam's side to victory at Ashton Gate.
The 77th-minute try was awarded when Saracens captain and England hooker Jamie George illegally entered a ruck on his own line and was subsequently sent to the sin bin for the remainder of the game.
Saracens piled on the pressure thereafter as they went in search of winning score and after a slew of penalties, Bristol were reduced to 14 men. However, their defence did not break as they managed to turn the ball over a smash it into touch.
View this post on InstagramBristol win it!! Nervy finish as the Bears move into second place🐻 #BRIvSAR
Semi Radradra and Kyle Sinckler both made their debuts for the Bristol Bears as too did Ben Earl with the former pair having somewhat quiet debuts.
Saracens came flying out in the opening stages of the game with scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth kicking brilliantly throughout to pin the Bears back in their own half which eventually led to a penalty in the eighth minute which Alex Goode slotted.
Goode found his range again just two minutes later, this time from just inside Bristol’s half, to leave the home side 6-0 adrift.
Bristol hit back in the 21st minute through Sheedy's boot and the home side drew level when Sheedy kicked a second penalty after Bristol launched a concerted attack through full-back Charles Piutau’s blistering pace.
The penalties continued to flow and Goode missed a 25-metre chance to put Saracens in the lead with the half ending all square.
Pat Lam made a switch at the break with Ben Earl earning his debut against his parent club with Kyle Sinckler following soon after.
Sinckler's inclusion led to a scrum penalty soon after he came off with Callum Sheedy giving his side the lead from the tee.
Luke Morahan sliced through Saracens' defence to race over the try line dancing past Segun in the 56th minute but the winger's superb 30 metre effort was ruled out for obstruction.
Try or no try...what do we think? 🤔
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) August 15, 2020
A very tight call against Bristol Bears - not in doubt is that spellbinding finish from Luke Morahan 🔥🔥🔥#RugbyRestart pic.twitter.com/dS1rUs3GA6
Saracens capitalised on the left off as Goode slotted his fourth penalty as the visitors edged back in front 16 minutes from time.
However, the Bears had the final say as in the dying minutes to seal the victory.
The @premrugby standings after today’s action 🏉
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) August 15, 2020
Still one game to go this weekend 🥳 pic.twitter.com/L5QNTLWwBo
