Bristol Bears made it two victories out of two in this season’s Challenge Cup as they saw off Zebre Parma 35-19 at Ashton Gate on Sunday.
The Bears, who prevailed at Perpignan in their opening game last week, produced an impressive first-half showing to lay the foundations for a bonus-point win on home soil.
Second-row Joe Batley, scrum-half Will Porter and centre duo Semi Radradra and Ioan Lloyd, who had earlier been sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on which resulted in a penalty try, all scored before the interval.
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AJ MacGinty converted on each occasion to send Bristol Bears in 28-7 to the good at half-time, and he added a fifth kick 15 minutes after the restart following replacement Yann Thomas’ try.
Winger Kobus van Wyk touched down to reduce the deficit and after Batley’s exit to the sin-bin, replacement Jacques du Toit added a third try late on for Zebre, although Tiff Eden’s conversion left them still 16 points adrift.
This victory leaves Bristol Bears in third position in Pool A, behind Cardiff and Toulon, and Pat Lam’s side will now turn their attention back to the Premiership and a game against Harlequins on December 27.
Zebre Parma, who are sixth in the same pool, return to United Rugby Championship action and take on Italian rivals Benetton away on December 24.
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