Bristol Bears Secure Playoff Spot with 52-26 Victory Over Harlequins

Bristol, England – The Bristol Bears clinched their spot in the Gallagher Premiership playoffs with a commanding 52-26 win over the Harlequins on Saturday. The match, held at Ashton Gate, saw the Bears dominate from the start, maintaining their fourth-place position in the league.

Bristol was under pressure coming into the game after a recent loss, but their determination led to a decisive performance. Gabriel Ibitoye shined, scoring a hat-trick and becoming the league’s top try-scorer for the season.

Head Coach Pat Lam expressed pride in his team’s achievements, highlighting their resilience throughout the season. “To stay in that top four all season is a phenomenal effort,” said Lam. “The local boys will take care of the motivation for the upcoming semifinal against Bath.”

The Bears took control early, scoring three tries in the first half, including one by Ibitoye, which marked his twelfth of the season. Harlequins responded but struggled to keep pace, even after a brief resurgence mid-way through the match.

With the victory, Bristol not only secured their playoff position but also broke a Premiership record by securing 16 try-scoring bonus points over the course of the season. The next challenge will be against Bath, a rivalry match that promises to add excitement to the playoffs.

The semi-final is scheduled for next Friday night, and Bristol fans are eager to see if their team can continue this impressive run.