Ollie Chessum Shines as Leicester Tigers Edge Bristol Bears 33-19
Swapping the bright Saturday night lights of the Stade de France for the rusty old Crumbie Stand can be a real mental challenge. There is certainly less demand for foie gras in Aylestone, but for certain people, nothing beats a constant diet of rugby. England’s Ollie Chessum did occasionally look a tad weary during another selfless 80-minute shift, but a vital 33-19 Leicester win made all those hard yards worthwhile. The result not only hoists the Tigers into third place in the Prem table but Gabriel Hamer-Webb’s spectacular last-gasp try earned what could prove a vital extra point when the playoff maths are totted up. Bristol, who had been pressing for a couple of bonus points of their own, were ultimately left empty-handed and down in fifth place after a game that was never less than intense and absorbing. It was certainly an indicator of the fixture’s significance for the hosts that Chessum, named the player of the match, and Joe Heyes were invited to strap back on their battle armour with Jack van Poortvliet coming off the bench. The selection strategy ultimately paid off, helped by another influential display from fly-half Billy Searle, with the final try exemplifying the Tigers’ growing confidence. Even the head coach Geoff Parling was shouting at Freddie Steward to kick the ball off rather than risk handing a turnover to Bristol. Instead, his players backed themselves from deep in their own half, and Parling could not have been happier afterwards. “Ollie was outstanding. He’s a big emotional leader for us,” he said. Two no-nonsense tries within three minutes midway through the first half helped the Tigers establish a lead. However, Bristol proved difficult to subdue, with Fitz Harding scoring a try, bringing the game to 20-19. Despite efforts from both teams, it was Hamer-Webb’s late score that sealed the victory for Leicester. This coming weekend will be another interesting one, with Bristol hosting Harlequins at the Principality Stadium and Leicester facing Gloucester in the latest edition of the Slater Cup. With seven regular season rounds still remaining, the stakes are steadily rising.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-03-22