Watkins is one of several promising Bristol academy players

Bristol winger George Watkins has praised his side's resilience as they recorded their first back-to-back wins of the season.

The 20-year-old scored two of Bristol's three tries in a 30-17 win against Esher at the Memorial Stadium.

"The important thing was that we closed the game out today," Watkins told BBC Radio Bristol.

"In recent weeks we've fallen apart and not seen it through and to not give them a bonus point was fantastic."

Watkins came into the Bristol side in place of Dan Norton who is away with the England Sevens side.

"Obviously it was nice to get the opportunity but I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself," he said.

"To get the tries was a massive bonus but it's just nice to look back at the video and know I didn't make any mistakes.

"Hopefully I can keep my place in the team now and I think it's a step in the right direction."

When not playing for Bristol in the Championship Watkins lines up for Clifton in National League Two South, where he plays at full-back.

"I do prefer full-back as you get more of the ball and are more involved in the game," he added.

"But I'm just as happy on the wing and if I feel it's my place in this team I don't need to go pushing for full-back here."

Bristol remain in eighth place in the Championship but have closed the gap on Rotherham to just four points.

Next up for Paul Hull's men is a trip to fifth-placed Doncaster on Saturday.

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