Chris Ashton breaks Premiership try scoring record in big Leicester win

Chris Ashton ran in a hat-trick to become the Gallagher Premiership’s record try scorer as leaders Leicester handsomely beat Bristol 56-26 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The former England winger surpassed Tom Varndell as the top flight’s most prolific marksman and all three of his scores came inside the first 27 minutes to set up what was a mauling.

Leicester scored eight tries in total on what was a comfortable afternoon where they secured a home semi-final in the play-offs, ahead of next week’s mouth-watering Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against Leinster.

Just before kick-off, there was a standing ovation for former England hooker Tom Youngs, who had announced his retirement earlier in the week, when he was presented on the pitch.

Once the action got under way, it took just four minutes for Ashton’s moment of history – and 93rd Premiership try – when he got on the end of Matias Moroni’s kick to score in the right-hand corner.

George Ford then took the score to 8-0 with a penalty before Bristol hauled themselves back into the contest when Piers O’Conor’s pass put Jack Bates through a gap and he showed Ford a clean pair of heels to score.

Callum Sheedy’s conversion reduced the deficit to one point, but Ashton extended the Tigers’ lead, and his own record, with his second try after 22 minutes.

Ellis Genge powered through a tackle before passing to Ford, who moved the ball on for Freddie Steward and it was his pass who sent Ashton clear down the left.

The 35-year-old then completed his hat-trick when a Leicester break from their own 22 led to Ben Youngs throwing the final pass to put Ashton through to score from halfway.

Toby Fricker pulled a try back for Bristol with an easy finish off Harry Randall’s pass, but