Pat Lam proud as he switches focus back to Premiership

Adam Kyriacou
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Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam will quickly turn attention to Premiership play-off matters after his team reached a first European final.

The English outfit staged a a stirring fightback to beat Challenge Cup semi-final opponents Bordeaux-Begles 37-20 after extra time at Ashton Gate.

The West Country club overcame a 13-point deficit and a yellow card for centre Semi Radradra against his former club to reach next month’s final.

“I am extremely proud of the boys and proud for the club,” Lam said afterwards.

“We went 13 points down and only had 30 per cent possession, but what I showed the boys at half-time was that Bordeaux were tired and there were some holes appearing.

“I asked what did they think they would be like if we keep on going. At 20-20, I knew we would come on strong in extra time.

“It will be a waste of time if all this hard work goes to waste and we don’t go on and win the trophy.”

Substitute centre Piers O’Conor and full-back Max Malins scored early in the first period of extra time and broke Bordeaux’s resistance after it finished 20-20 in 80 minutes.

Captain Steven Luatua and Malins also posted touchdowns during normal time, while fly-half Callum Sheedy kicked 17 points.

But it was tough going at times as a Matthieu Jalibert-inspired Bordeaux took charge in the first-half, with the France international fly-half scoring a try and kicking two penalties.

There was also a try for replacement hooker Joseph Dweba, with Maxime Lucu and Ben Botica each adding a conversion.

Bristol have two games left in the Premiership, and they could need bonus point successes in both to secure a top-four finish.

Wasps, Bath and Sale Sharks are also in the play-off race for three places alongside already-qualified Exeter.

Lam added: “The important thing now is recovery, We have got Leicester on Wednesday and London Irish on Sunday week.

“Our full focus will now be on trying to get in the top four in the Premiership.

“We will try to pick our strongest possible team, and we will try to get the balance right to give ourselves every opportunity to get a bonus point.”

 

Bristol Pat Lam