Premiership: Bristol Bears strike late to floor Gloucester, London Irish ease past Newcastle Falcons

A late try from Toby Fricker helped Bristol Bears defeat Gloucester 29-28 in a result that dents the Cherry and Whites’ Premiership play-off hopes.

Victory for Gloucester was looking likely as the meeting entered its dying embers but Fricker’s second score on 79 minutes sent Bears fans delirious.

For the Cherry and Whites this is a major setback, however, as they missed the chance to go above Exeter Chiefs into fourth position in the standings.

Gloucester trailed by 17 points after just 11 minutes following Bristol tries for hooker Harry Thacker and scrum-half Andy Uren, while Callum Sheedy kicked two conversions and a penalty.

But inspired by their gifted Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit, who scored one try and created another for scrum-half Charlie Chapman, the visitors added a third try through centre Chris Harris before half-time.

Fricker’s first try, converted by Sheedy, put Bristol back in front, but substitute back Sam Bedlow was then sent off for a high tackle on Gloucester fly-half Adam Hastings.

And with the home side down to 14 men, Gloucester’s replacement hooker Jack Singleton touched down, with Hastings kicking his fourth conversion.

But back came Bristol, and there was still enough time for Fricker to score and end a run of four successive Premiership defeats.

Bristol captain Steven Luatua made his first start since dislocating his wrist last month but rugby director Pat Lam was without a number of injured internationals, including Semi Radradra, Charles Piutau and Ioan Lloyd.

Gloucester boss George Skivington had no such trouble, though, naming an unchanged team after last weekend’s European Challenge Cup victory over Northampton.

Bristol, 23 points behind Gloucester before kick-off, made a flying start and