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| Sunday, 15 December, 2002, 16:41 GMT Gibson hat-trick inspires Bristol ![]() Colin Charvis expected a backlash in Bristol Heineken Cup - Pool Four Bristol Shoguns 41-23 Swansea Bristol avenged last week's defeat in Swansea in spectacular style with a crushing demolition of the Welshmen. The Memorial Stadium side, who are still in with a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, burst into action with a try after 26 seconds. Centre Daryl Gibson surged his way through the midfield to catch Swansea unaware and score. Australian fly-half Shane Drahm kicked the conversion before adding a further three penalties.
Bristol repeatedly attacked Swansea's defence before the ball finally went out to the right wing for Gibson to dive over. Drahm again converted and added a fourth penalty. Gavin Henson registered Swansea's only first-half score with a 16th minute penalty, and Bristol headed into the break with a 26-3 advantage. Bristol continued to dominate the early part of the second half and after just one minute centre Andrew Higgins touched down thanks to a clever kick through by Drahm.
Bristol won a lineout on the five-metre line and the ball was recycled several times before Gibson spotted space to cut through the defence. Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot touched down for the home side's fifth try thanks to a break by full-back Lee Best. Swansea saved their blushes late in the second-half with tries by Henson, Andrew Farley and substitute Arwel Thomas. Thomas also added a penalty and a conversion, but the visitors late comeback could not take the shine off Bristol's dominance. Bristol: L Best; D Rees, A Higgins, D Gibson, P Christophers; S Drahm, A Pichot; D Crompton, P Johnstone, J White, G Archer, A Brown, M Salter, R Oakley, R Beattie. Swansea: S Payne; R Rees, M Taylor, S Gibbs, M Robinson; G Henson, S Cordingley; D Morris (capt), C Balshen, B Evans, J Slade, A Farley, C Charvis, J Bater, D Thomas. Ref: Simon McDowell (Ireland). |
See also: 11 Dec 02 | English Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top European stories now: Links to more European stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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