Bristol Bears 52-26 Harlequins Result - Bristol move into Gallagher Premiership semi-finals, will face Bath

Bristol Bears secured their place in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals with a commanding 52–26 victory over Harlequins at Ashton Gate, joining Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, and already-qualified Bath in the play-offs.

The Bears’ seven-try performance ensured they finished in the top four, setting up a semi-final clash with league leaders Bath.

From the outset, Bristol asserted their dominance, crossing the try line four times in the opening 24 minutes.

George Kloska and Joe Batley powered over close to the line, while Kalaveti Ravouvou and debutant Viliame Mata added impressive scores, with Mata’s try showcasing his strength and agility.

Although Harlequins responded with a try from Cadan Murley, the Bears maintained control and led 31–12 at half-time.

After the break, Gabriel Ibitoye extended Bristol’s lead. Despite quickfire tries from Alex Dombrandt and George Hammond closing the gap to just five points, Bristol’s resilience shone through.

Santiago Grondona and Ibitoye added further tries, and Benhard Janse van Rensburg sealed the emphatic win, pushing Bristol’s tally to 52 points.

This result, combined with Sale Sharks securing their semi-final spot earlier, confirmed the final four teams in the Premiership play-offs: Bath, Sale, Leicester, and Bristol.

Director of rugby Pat Lam praised his side’s commitment and execution.

Lam said: "We’ve been in this type of knockout rugby scenario before when we won the Challenge Cup.

"Being successful is about making sure everyone is clear on our game plan and on their role and working hard."

Looking ahead to their semi-final against Bath, Lam emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum, Lam said: "It is a big win for us because we knew if we won we would climb above Harlequins.

"We have been in this type of knockout-rugby scenario before, so we are focused on our game plan and making sure we keep improving."

With the Bears finishing the regular season strongly, they head into the play-offs with confidence, aiming to build on their impressive form and challenge for the Premiership title.

"I'm really pleased for this group, it's probably my most enjoyable year. We have one of the smallest squads, and of the 10 teams that spend on players, we're the eighth, which means everyone has to come together and manage our season.

"We started off really well, we lost big players and the young boys came through. To stay in that top four all season is a phenomenal effort with everything I just said.

"And then I just heard we broke another Premiership record of 16 try bonus points in 18 games - the previous record was 15 in 22, so a huge testament to the way we play.

"I'm really proud of the guys, we've been through so much adversity up and down. But it's not over, we just need to get to the play-offs and I understand we're going to Bath, and we do enjoy that game.

"We've been here before but one of the lessons we did learn four or five years ago was just go back to what we train and what we do - don't try to make things happen, get hold of possession. What was killing us was the loose passes.

"A lot of the boys came up to me and said 'Sorry Pat,' and I said 'Show me next week then, show me that you're really sorry.' I feel for Jordan Crane and the boys because a lot of tries we have conceded they're zero phase, they turn the ball over and go and score. It's something we obviously have to tighten up next Friday."

On drumming up motivation for facing Bath: "No I don't have to do anything. The local boys take over. All I have to do is make sure that the game plan is right and let them sort that out.

"It's a record we're proud of. We've played them 14 times since we've been back in the Premiership, won 11, never lost here.

"And then the two we did lose at their ground were in the 82nd minute and by one point. We know how to do but Bath have a phenomenal squad.

"They've spent close to £3 million more than we have and Johann [Van Graan] has done a brilliant job. It's gonna be really tough for us but we'll embrace it."

"It's massive, we wanted to finish the season strong. Home form this season hasn't been our strongest. There was an edge this week, a lot to play for so we put a lot of pressure on ourselves this week to come out and deliver.

"We spoke about it being 11 months of hard work to get to this spot. Away next week at The Rec and it'll be a hell of an atmosphere.

"First 20 really clinical. The second 20 a bit sloppy from myself, we let them into the game. They're dangerous and they've got incredible backs. Very skilful team.

"We started the second half well but gave up two scores so we just reset under the sticks and thought let's keep the pressure on. But really happy with it.

"A few guys coming back into the squad - Pedro [Rubiolo] and Noah [Heward] did brilliantly. There's good momentum to go into next Friday.

"As nines and tens we speak about control a lot.

"But sometimes it's just so wild that you can't contain it, you don't know what to do. The big thing for us is our turnovers and being strong in contact.

"That was a big focus, look after the ball, we want to score tries and put on a show here. But there's risk and reward to that and we spilled a few too many easy ones. We'll keep that clean for next Friday because we can't afford to do that."

On Bath: "Since I've been here, it's the one game that the players and the local lads - it get's them going like no other game. We try to tap into that for other games as well but, it means so much to the boys to represent Bristol and what it means to the fans. Fireworks next week."

SALE SHARKS 30-26 EXETER CHIEFS
Exeter try to run it out from their own half but throw the ball out of play - symbolic of their frustrating season with moments of promise but an ultimately disappointing finish.

Sale Sharks clinch a spot in the semi-finals.

Bristol Bears have earned their place in the play-offs and will face Bath in the semi-final next Friday night.

TRY! EXETER CHIEFS 26-30 SALE SHARKS
They make it look effortless! Tamati Tua breaks back against the flow, passes to Slade, and Capstick powers into the corner for a great try.

Hodge slots the conversion from the sideline. The final minutes are tense!

TRY! FOR SALE SHARKS 30-18 EXETER CHIEFS
The visitors break through after a big hit from Gus Warr on Haydon-Wood forces a turnover, allowing Reed to score.

However, the tackle is under review.

The TMO rules a yellow card for Warr and awards a penalty to Exeter, as the hit clipped Haydon-Wood’s chin.

A crucial moment for Exeter and added pressure on Sale!

Benhard Janse van Rensburg scores as Bristol reach 50 points.

The move is straightforward: James Williams drives to the line, pulls in the Quins defenders, then offloads to his centre partner, who powers over.

AJ MacGinty converts before being replaced by Harry Byrne.

While playing with a penalty advantage, AJ MacGinty launched a chip kick over the Quins' defense, aiming near the crossbar.

Kalaveti Ravouvou chased the ball but was unable to ground it as Jamie Benson knocked it away.

After reviewing the play, the TMO ruled that Ravouvou’s slight contact with Benson may have altered the ball’s path, so it wasn’t considered a deliberate knock-on.

Instead, the referee awarded a penalty to Bristol just 5 meters out.

Breaking from deep, Benhard Janse van Rensburg slices through the defence and connects with Steven Luatua in support.

The flanker is hauled down, but Gabriel Ibitoye picks up the attack, throws a dummy, and darts wide to break into the Quins 22 before losing the ball forward under pressure.

Fortunately for Bristol, the resulting scrum earns them a penalty to regain possession.

Gabriel Ibitoye completes his hat-trick and sets a new single-season try record for Bristol Bears, finishing off a slick move from a scrum.

AJ MacGinty and Jack Bates link up out wide to create space, sending the winger over for his 13th league try of the campaign.

MacGinty nails the conversion.

Exeter Chiefs 19-23 Sale Sharks

Try-saving effort from James Williams as Harlequins replacement hooker Nathan Jibulu bursts through a tackle and accelerates into space, linking with Nick David in support.

But just as it looks like a certain try, Williams races back to make a crucial tackle.

The move breaks down shortly after with a forward pass.

A brilliant 50/22 from AJ MacGinty gives Bristol prime field position just when they need it.

From the resulting lineout, the forwards hammer away at the Quins defence before Santi Grondona crashes over from short range.

MacGinty adds the extras.

Sale Sharks 20-12 Exeter Chiefs.

It was only a matter of time.

Harvey Skinner fires a slick pass off the ground, and Josh Hodge finishes it off in the corner.

Luke Northmore bursts through the defence with a brilliant run to set things up, and George Hammond finishes the move with a powerful drive from short range.
Jamie Benson adds the extras to bring them within touching distance.

Jamie Benson breaks through Bristol’s defense with a clever move, then sets up Alex Dombrandt to score right under the posts.