Radradra & Malins fire Bristol into their first European final

Radradra & Malins fire Bristol into their first European final

Semi Radradra and Max Malins starred for the Bristol Bears as they beat Bordeaux 37-20 after extra-time in the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Radradra and Malins directly featured in all four of Bristol Bears' tries as Pat Lam's side reached their first-ever European Final.

Bristol will now face either Toulon or Leicester Tigers in the final of the Challenge Cup after a 6 try, 100-minute thriller at Ashton Gate.

The match was played a high tempo throughout with Bordeaux starting the brighter of the two sides with 21-year-old flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert sprinting through the defence and stepping past Max Malins in the 11th minute to score.


Maxime Lucu added the extras on the try before two penalties from Jalibert extended Bordeaux's lead to 13 points.

Bristol eventually hit back as Semi Radradra assisted his captain Steven Luatua just before half time as Bristol closed the gap too 7-13.



Radradra spent 10 minutes in the sin bin shortly after the break after he was guilty of making a high tackle but the numerical disadvantage did not prevent Pat Lam's side from taking the lead as Malins scored the first of his two tries.

A somewhat questionable try as Harry Randall grubbed the ball behind the Bordeax defence for his fullback who pounced to score with the extras via the boot of Callum Sheedy putting Bristol in front for the first time in the game.



Sheedy nailed two further penalties as he overtook Felipe Contepomi's record for the most points scored by a Bristol player in the Challenge Cup. 

There was another shift in momentum for Bordeaux, led by replacement hooker Joseph Dweba who scored his first competitive try for the side after winning a penalty and making a few strong carries before dotting down in the 66th minute.

Dweba's try and Botica's conversion meant the two sides were even at 20 apiece heading into the final 10 minutes of the game. 

Neither side was able to edge in front before the end as the clash went into extra time. Bordeaux started the second period of extra time down a man as they ran out of substitution and Bristol took full advantage. 

Piers O'Conor was put away but Max Malins for the try that put Bristol in front after a busting carry from Radradra before the Fijian assisted Malins out wide for the fullback's second and final try of the game.

Sheedy added the extras on both tries before slotting one final penalty that put the game out of Bordeaux's reach.

 
 
 
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The Bears have booked their place in the #ChallengeCup Final! Their first-ever European Final 🐻 #BRIvUBB

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