Wild scenes in West Country derby as Finn Russell takes huge gamble

Bristol Bears closed back to within five points of the top four in the Gallagher Premiership with a helter-skelter 57 – 44 victory over rivals Bath.

The match saw 14 tries scored with four yellow cards dished out as the Bears secured their four-try bonus point within 23 minutes and would lead 33 – 15 at halftime.

Bath would fight back on several occasions and entered the final two minutes trailing by just six points.

Claiming the ball deep inside their own 22, Scottish maverick Finn Russell looked to catch the Bears napping as he dinked a crossfield kick in the direction of Joe Cokanasiga.

Unfortunately for Russell and his teammates, the ball wouldn’t quite make it to its intended target as Bristol fullback Richard Lane plucked the ball from the air.

Facing no defenders in front of him, Lane trotted over for the match-sealing score.

You couldn’t write this 😵

A Finn Russell kick finds the hands of Rich Lane to deliver @BristolBears the West Country Derby victory!#GallagherPrem | #BRIvBAT pic.twitter.com/fbuzckedaw

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) January 27, 2024