Bristol Bears player ratings from Bedford Blues win - 'Too hot to handle'

Bristol Bears secured a 67-19 home win over Championship side Bedford Blues to open their account in the 2024/25 Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday.

The Bears touched down their 11 tries through nine different try scorers as first team regulars Harry Thacker and Kalaveti Ravouvou both notched braces along with scores from Joe Jenkins, Kieran Marmion, Toby Fricker, Jack Bates, Benjamin Elizalde, Yann Thomas and Jake Heenan. Twenty-one-year-old fly-half Sam Worsley landed four conversions, with Benjamin Elizalde taking over the kicking duties in the second half to add four more points from the tee. Bedford showed character not to roll over and crossed the whitewash for a trio of tries from Tommy Herman, Will Maisey and Alfie Garside, with the latter two scores coming from Bears errors, an interception and turnover. Fly-half Maisey added two conversions.

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Here is a closer look at the individual performances from the Bristol Bears players...

15. Benjamin Elizalde - 7

Solid enough performance from the Argentine full-back, who got a try in the first half and then took over the goal kicking duties later in the game.

14. Toby Fricker - 7

A lively display from the speedster, who was not afraid to come in off his wing and provide a different angle of attack for the Bears which delivered him an early try.

13. Kalaveti Ravouvou - 9

A constant threat throughout the game, he actually got stronger as the match went on. Helped himself to a brace of tries and showed some great offloads that Bedford simply could not contend with. Too hot to handle.

12. Joe Jenkins - 7

Forced off at the end of the first quarter, but still managed to score Bristol’s opening try inside two minutes and was a constant attacking threat in the centre

11. Deago Bailey - 8

First appearance of the season for the Bears, Bailey was impressive, both in attack and defence. A willing runner throughout, his all-round display was summed up with a brilliant piece of footwork late on that saw him evade a clutch of defenders close to his own line in a moment reminiscent of Gabriel Ibitoye's weekly magic.

10. Sam Worsley - 7

Steady enough display from the young academy playmaker who acted as the perfect pivot for much of Bristol’s best attacking efforts. Will be looking to make the most of his opportunities in this competition with the Bears constantly linked with a big name fly-half signing.

9. Kieran Marmion - 8

The Irishman was a real live-wire for the home side, and has impressed in the Premiership this season and he continued that form in this encounter, pressing and probing all the time and picking up a now customary try after running a good support line off Thacker.

1. Yann Thomas - 7

First start of the season for the experienced prop and he crowned it with a first half try from close range. Was solid at the set-piece and was happy to go about doing the donkey work when called upon.

2. Harry Thacker - 8

Two tries from the hooker who was his usual dynamic self on his first start of the season. Ended up in the back-row, but was a real bundle of energy throughout.

3. Lovejoy Chawatama - 7

The former London Irish prop stood up well on his Bristol debut. Nothing too flashy, but you don’t expect that from your tight-head, will hope to build on an encouraging start.

4. Kenzie Jenkins - 7

Another debutant for the Bears and showed up well in what was a decent performance from the Bristol pack.

5. Joe Owen - 7

Dominant at line-out time, he formed an excellent second row pairing with Jenkins and once again caught the eye with his athleticism in the loose.

6. Paddy Pearce - 7

One huge hit in the first half underlined was a strong performance from the back-row forward. Quietly went about his work, both in the tight and the loose

7. Jake Heenan - 7

The skipper was his industrious self throughout, full of work around the breakdown. He capped a useful performance with a try early in the second half and was handing off players for fun.

8. Benjamin Grondona - 8

The Argentine forward has had fleeting appearances off the bench in the Premiership this season, but from the outset here he was dominant from the base of the home scrum. Continually asking questions of the opposition and was a terrific ball-carrier for the Bears.

Replacements

16. Will Capon - 6

17. Louie Trevett - 6

18. Jimmy Halliwell - 6

19. Tom Doughty - 6

20. Aaron Tull - 6

21. Sam Edwards - 6

22. Jack Bates - 7

23. Harry Rowson - 6