By John Harding

GKIPA Championship

Bristol 26 Hartpury 15

SIXTEEN points from the boot of Ian Madigan plus tries from Luke Morahan and Max Crumpton have set off Bristol on their campaign to regain a place in the Aviva Premiership, but the scoreline somewhat flatter the home side.

The gulf between the sides is tremendous regarding the number of internationals, squad size, pay roll and facilities to name just a few, but win this showing the neutrals would be hard pressed to split the sides.

Bristol took just five minutes to get the scoreboard rolling when fly-half Madigan chipped across the field for wing Luke Morahan to touchdown in the right corner before the Ireland half back added the touchline conversion.

Twenty minutes, on their first real venture deep into the Bristol, Hartpury won a penalty which they kicked to touch. The line-out set up a rolling maul which, after being referred to TMO David Rose, was awarded to flanker.

Prop Ryan Bevington took a heavy knock and had to leave for a head injury assessment. His replacement was Soane Tonga’uiha but he lasted two minutes before the Tongan international was yellow carded.

The resultant penalty, with half time approaching, saw fly-half Jacob Perry nudge the visitors ahead. But then Bristol had lock Sam Jeffries yellow carded. Hartpury this time kicked the penalty.

They again set-up a driving maul which took them over the line but the TMO this time ruled that the player had been held-up over the line by Steven Luatua. Hartpury were then awarded a series of penalties at the scrum.

Opting not to kick for the posts or the corner preferring the scrum and surely a penalty try. But referee Matthew O'Grady was patient, and finally, it was the visitors who were penalized, and Bristol were able to clear their line on the stroke of half time.

With Bristol back to 14 men for the start of the second half, they quickly pinned the Hartpury back and won a penalty. Madigan slotted it between the uprights followed that with a second a couple of minutes later.

Former Bristol player Elias Caven came close to scoring a second Hartpury try, but the TMO ruled that the young winger's touchdown, having chased his own grubber kick, was just short of the line.

Madigan added a third penalty and his fourth, from 42 metres, came twenty minutes later before replacement hooker Max Crumpton went over the line from close range with Madigan adding the extras.

But it was the visitors who put the last points on the board when replacement prop Mike Flook scrambled over the line for a try, after being referred again to the TMO, and replacement fly-half James Williams adding the simple conversion.

Bristol scorers - tries: Luke Morahan, Max Crumpton; cons: Ian Madigan 2; pens: Ian Madigan 4 Hartpury scorers - tries: Mat Gilbert, Mike Flook; con: James Williams; pen: Jacob Perry

Teams. Bristoll: Jordan Williams (Tyler Gendall 38-40), (Mat Protheroe, 66); Luke Morahan, Will Hurrell, Tusi Pisi (Billy Searle, 70), Tom Varndell; Ian Madigan, Rhodri Williams; Ryan Bevington (Soane Tonga’uiha, 30-40), Jason Harris-Wright (Max Crumpton, 66), Sione Faletau (Tyler Gendall, 66), Sam Jeffries, Joe Latta (c) (Ryan Glynn, 77), Steven Luatua (Jordan Crane, 75), Dan Thomas, Nick Haining.

Yellow card: Soane Tonga’uiha (30-40) ; Sam Jeffries (35-45)

Hartpury: Mike Wilcox; Harry Cochrane (George Boulton, 75), Steve Leonard, Luke Eves, Elias Caven; Jacob Perry (James Williams, 60), Harry Randall; Dan Murphy (Mike Flook, 77), Will Tanner (Luke Stratford, 62), Rupert Harden (Tom Heard, 69), BJ Edwards (Alex Craig, 60), Rhys Oakley (capt), Rob Langley, Mat Gilbert, Darrel Dyer (Iain Grieve, 47)

Referee: Matthew O'Grady

Att: 7,045