Leicester climb to top of Prem with four-try victory at Bristol

Leicester moved to the top of the Prem with a 22-16 victory at Bristol, collecting a try bonus point despite having to defend their lead in the closing stages. According to BBC Sport's match report, the Tigers overtook Gloucester ahead of the remaining weekend fixtures, with Freddie Steward, Adam Radwan, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jamie Blamire all scoring tries.

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Both teams entered the match with three wins, and Bristol initially took control through Louis Rees-Zammit. The Wales wing evaded defenders before finishing beneath the posts for his fifth league try of the season. James Williams converted, but Leicester answered after winning possession and counter-attacking. Billy Searle kicked towards the space out wide for Steward to score on his 100th Prem start.

There were further opportunities before Leicester established a half-time advantage. Bristol's Fitz Harding was held up over the line, while an Ollie Chessum touchdown for the visitors was disallowed because of an earlier knock-on. Rees-Zammit also threatened again after chasing his own chip, but Tom Whiteley prevented him from completing a second try. Neither side converted those openings into points.

Bristol then lost two players to the sin bin in quick succession. Matias Moroni was sent off temporarily in the 31st minute and Tom Jordan followed three minutes later, both for high tackles. With the hosts reduced to 13 players, Radwan reached a kick to score and Leicester went into the interval leading 12-7. The disciplinary setbacks had helped turn Bristol's early advantage into a deficit.

Hassell-Collins extended the lead after the break, gathering another crossfield kick from Searle to make it 17-7. Williams responded with two penalties, bringing Bristol within four points with 20 minutes remaining. Leicester restored a more comfortable margin when Blamire scored from a driving maul, securing the visitors' fourth try and the attacking bonus point.

Searle missed three conversions, leaving Bristol within reach despite Leicester's four tries to one. A third Williams penalty cut the gap to six with seven minutes left, but the hosts could not overturn it and finished with a losing bonus point. Leicester's position at the summit remained provisional, with Gloucester due to face Northampton on Saturday.