Hill kicks Bristol to famous victory

DAVID HILL kicked Bristol to the most notable win in their Heineken Cup history as tournament favourites Stade Francais suffered a surprise Pool Three defeat.

New Zealander Hill booted four penalties, while centre Neil Brew scored the game’s solitary try on 77 minutes to give Bristol a fighting chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

Bristol coach Richard Hill described the win as his side’s “best result of the last five years.”

It was the first time the French side have ended scoreless in their ninth season of Heineken Cup rugby.

“To beat the French champions is an outstanding achievement. Our front-row did a superb job, and our defence didn’t allow Stade any time on the ball.”

Stade’s defeat means Cardiff Blues hold a two-point lead at the group summit, but Bristol’s battling performance has given them a fighting chance of reaching the quarter finals in only their second Heineken Cup campaign.

Hill added: “We thought we might scrape something like a one-point or three-point win, but 17-0 wasn’t anticipated at all.

“Stade probably underestimated us a bit, especially after we lost in Cardiff last weekend, and that has to go down as a terrific win.”

Bristol won the game up-front, dominating Stade in the set-piece areas, which often resulted in the French side losing their discipline and handing David Hill the chances he needed to make them pay on the scoreboard.

The Bristol boss continued: “We had heard that Stade were worried about our forwards, and when you know someone is worried about you it gives you a little bit of an edge. We felt we could make a statement if we could beat the French champions on our own ground.

“We have to make sure no one comes here and wins, and this result will send a statement out. We really want to make to Memorial Stadium a fortress.”

The only disappointment for Bristol was an ankle injury suffered by wing Tom Arscott. Stade also suffered an injury setback, losing number eight Sergio Parisse with an ankle problem.

Stade coach Fabien Galthie said: “They played with more intensity than us, when we tried to put some more speed in our game during the second half Bristol still kept control.”

Bristol scorers: Tries: Brew. Pens: Hill 4.

BRISTOL: L. Arscott, T. Arscott, Higgitt, Brew, Lemi, Hill, Perry, Clarke, Regan, Hobson, Winters, Hohneck, Blowers, El Abd, Ward-Smith.

Replacements: To’oala for El Abd (59).

STADE FRANCAIS: Jeanjean, Arias, M. Bergamasco, Liebenberg, Saubade, Skrela, Fillol, Montanella, Szarzewski, Ledesma, du Plooy, Pape, M. Bergamasco, Martin, Parisse.

Replacements: Messina for M. Bergamasco (69), Bouhraoua for Fillol (80), Attoub for Montanella (63), Weber for Ledesma (46), Charlon for M. Bergamasco (40), Milton for Parisse (24).

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland).