Bristol fell agonisingly short of securing a Premiership play-off place
despite defeating Northampton 46-16 in record fashion at the Memorial Stadium.
Argentine fly-half Felipe Contepomi contributed 31 points through a try, four
conversions and six penalties as Bristol fought back spectacularly from a 16-12
interval deficit.
Scottish centre Jamie Mayer helped himself to a try double, and his Argentine
midfield partner Eduardo Simone also crossed, but ultimately, it was all to no
avail.
London Irish's 35-10 victory over Gloucester gave the Exiles eighth
spot, securing a daunting play-off trip to league champions Leicester on April
28.
Bristol's season drew to a close with them finishing in ninth place, just one
point behind Irish, and although Northampton suffered a heavy defeat, their
campaign will continue.
The Saints were already assured of fourth, and can look forward to hosting
Saracens later this month.
Bristol played some sparkling rugby in the second half, racking up 34
unanswered points, securing a bonus point in the process, yet events 60 miles
down the M4 at Reading's Medejski Stadium guaranteed no fairytale finale.
Northampton went into the game without England wing Ben Cohen, Wales centre
Allan Bateman and Scotland flanker Budge Pountney, while skipper Matt Dawson
went on midway through a second period when Bristol dominated.
The first half saw Saints hooker Steve Thompson touch down after 29 minutes,
but other than that, it was a scrappy session dominated by the boots of
Contepomi and his opposite number, Northampton's former England fly-half Paul
Grayson.
But after Contepomi touched down 10 minutes into the second half, there was no
stopping Bristol as they cut loose through three further touchdowns during a
seven minute purple patch from Mayer (twice) and Simone.
Referee Brian Campsall issued three yellow cards, to Bristol flanker Adam
Vander for killing possession, followed by home hooker Neil McCarthy and Saints
loch John Phillips following a punch up in the aftermath of Mayer's second try.
Bristol were left contemplating what might have been, and were made to pay for
a poor start to the season when they lost several early matches, but the
Memorial Stadium mood is one of optimism for next term, even though the next few
weeks will be a frustrating time for Bristol fans while the league's top eight
finishers contest the Zurich Championship trophy, culminating in a Grand Final
at Twickenham on May 13.
Teams
Bristol: Best, Rees, Simone, Mayer, S. Brown, Contepomi,
Pichot, Johnstone, McCarthy, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Short,
Vander, Salter.
Replacements: Marsden for S. Brown (40),
Reeves for Contepomi (80), Sheridan for Archer (74),
Nelson for Short (78), Sturnham for Salter (64).
Not Used: Fullman, Baber.
Sin Bin: Vander (55), McCarthy (76).
Tries: Contepomi, Simone, Mayer 2.
Cons: Contepomi 4.
Pens: Contepomi 6.
Northampton: Beal, Martin,
Tucker, Leslie, Shaw, Grayson,
Dawson, Pagel, Thompson, Stewart, Brouzet, Phillips, Rodber,
Blowers, Soden.
Replacements: Moir for Beal (1), Allen for Leslie (66),
Howard for Dawson (64), Todd for Pagel (74),
Hunter for Rodber (72), Seely for Blowers (74).
Not Used: Richmond.
Sin Bin: Phillips (76).
Tries: Thompson.
Cons: Grayson.
Pens: Grayson 3.
Att: 5,315
Ref: Brian Campsall (RFU).
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