Leicester tops PREM table with win at Bristol

Leicester Tigers moved to the top of the PREM table after defeating Bristol Bears 22-16 at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

The victory for the visitors included a losing bonus point for the hosts, securing four points each in a match defined by penalties and set-piece errors.

Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam identified the middle period of the game as the turning point. He noted that the Bears conceded two tries while two players were in the sin bin.

Lam stated that those ten points scored during the numerical disadvantage proved to be the difference in the final score.

Leicester's scoring came from tries by Freddie Steward, Adam Radwin, Ollie Hassell-Collins, and Jamie Blamire. Billy Searle added one conversion. Louis Rees-Zammit scored the only try for Bristol.

James Williams kicked three penalties and a conversion for the Bears to ensure they left with the bonus point.

Bristol prop Ellis Genge, a former Leicester captain, expressed frustration with how the game was lost. He said the team could have ground out a better result despite the two yellow cards.

Genge added that Leicester simply out-muscled them when it mattered.

Leicester director of rugby Geoff Parling called it a gritty win against a good team at a difficult venue. He praised the defensive improvements and the aggressive kicking game.

Parling acknowledged that Searle was outstanding with his boot, though he admitted the misses from the tee were frustrating.

Leicester captain Ollie Chessum was named man of the match. He admitted the team should have sealed the game earlier.

Chessum said he was frustrated in the final ten minutes but appreciated the weekly improvements from the squad.