By John Harding at Ashton Gate

British & Irish Cup - Pool 2

Bristol 22 Doncaster Knights 33

BRISTOL suffered their first defeat of the season as fellow GKIPA Championship side Doncaster Knights took maximum points from their British & Irish Cup tie as the visitors retained their unbeaten run Ashton Gate.

The visitors fielded an experienced side as they bounced back from a Championship defeat to Hartpury and Leinster A at home in the B&I Cup last weekend. The win takes them into third place in Pool 2 behind Bristol on points difference.

Bristol named a young starting line-up while the bench, where the average age was around 19, included the England U18 duo Will Capon and Charlie Powell who are Bristol Grammar School students.

“We set ourselves the target of gets two wins from these two Cup ties, but we fell short against what was a good Doncaster team,” said Bristol Academy coach Mark Irish who was in charge for this match.

“There were a lot of young guys out there, a lot of guys with limited experience but this will stand them in good stead going forward. We were under no illusion what Doncaster was going to through at us, but it showed our lack of ability to stay within our systems.

“Obviously the lads are disappointed with the defeat; for them, it is a double-edged sword, some made their debuts but a game they will remember. These are driven youngsters; they are here for a reason - they want the best they can be in professional rugby.”

Four players spent time in the sin-bin with Bristol full-back Jack Wallace was the first to be shown yellow after just two minutes with Knights’ Nick Civetta sent to the sidelines on 25 minutes, Michael Hills on 65 and Tom Hicks just before the final whistle.

The Knights went into the half time break with an 18-8 advantage after Simon Humberstone landed a penalty, but the fly-half was off target with conversion attempt of hooker Curtis Langdon’s touchdown.

Bristol replied immediately with a try from wing Aaron Chapman, who scored two on his debut the previous week against Cardiff Blues Premiership Select, with fly-half Callum Sheedy adding the conversion.

Humberstone kicked his second penalty and the extras to Knights second try through skipper Will Owen. Humberstone added a third penalty early in the second half before wing Tyson Lewis crossed the whitewash.

Trailing 26-8 with the game about to go into the final quarter, Bristol began to assert themselves as James Newey’s try was converted by Sheedy. But back came Doncaster with Owen crossing for the bonus point try.

Full back Declan Cusack added the extras, but with the visitors down to 14 men, Bristol again took a grip of the game, and flanker James Dun claimed a late consolation try which Newey converted.

Bristol scorers - tries: A Chapman, J Newey, J Dun; cons: C Sheedy, J Newey; pen: C Sheedy.

Doncaster Knights scorers - tries: C Langdon, W Owen 2, T Lewis; con: S Humberstone, D Cusack; pens: S Humberstone 3 Bristol: J Wallace; R Edwards, J Newey, W Hurrell, A Chapman (C Powell, 63); C Sheedy (T Hargan, 77), R Glynn (R Cullen, 63); J Cosgrove (T Rowland, 75), B Gompels (Bristol University) (W Capon, 51), T Gendall (N English, 75), J Batley, E Ehizode, J Dun, D Watchorn (Bristol University) (J Capon, 64), N Fenton-Wells (c).

Yellow card: J Wallace (2-14)

Doncaster Knights: D Cusack, A Bulumakau, L Hayes, W Owen (c), T Lewis (J Wright, 74); S Humberstone, T James; O Evans (J Bergmanas, 72), C Langdon (B Hunter, 60), I Williams (J Sproston, 62) N Civetta, T Hicks, A Shaw, S Jones (M Hills, 62), J Hill.

Reps (not used):M Challinor, M Heaney,.

Yellow card: N Civetta (14-25); M Hill (69-79), T Hicks (79) Referee: A Leal Att: 7428