Premiership Rugby A League

Exeter Braves 28 Bristol United 19

By John Harding

BRISTOL United had a disappointing start to their Premiership Rugby A League campaign as they were beaten 28-19 by Exeter Braves at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon having clawed their way back into the game having been 21-0 down inside the opening half hour.

The defeat in appalling conditions at times, also added a couple of more players to the ever-growing injury list with Wales U18 hooker Jordon Liney and Academy No.8 Dan Thurston lost in in the opening quarter.

Bristol's points came through tries from inside centre Sam Bedlow, lock Joe Quinn and replacement wing Maliq Holden with fly-half Callum Sheedy adding two conversions while the Braves collected a try-scoring bonus point.

Bristol United play Bath United on Saturday at Hornets RFC in Weston-super-Mare, kick off 1.30pm