Tempers fray as Bears thwart Tigers' big finish

BRISTOL’S individual brilliance edged this ferocious contest which will be remembered more for the furore of the finale.

- ROB WILDMAN

Leicester’s memorable comeback fell just short as the teams finished in a mass brawl following a dispute over front row substitutions.

The match had become increasingly fraught as 6,500 Leicester fans roared on their dominant pack.

Referee Ian Tempest repeatedly penalised Bristol and eventually yellow-carded substitute prop Nahuel Chaparro.

This decision triggered a touchline debate which became bad tempered as team bosses Steve Borthwick and Pat Lam joined the fray.

Leicester’s Borthwick was angered by Bristol claiming that John Afoa, who had been substituted at half-time for Chapporo, had been injured and could not go back on.

However, referee Tempest determined that Afoa had been signed off on the match card as “tactical” and not as “injured.”

If Afoa had not been able to go back on the match would have gone to uncontested scrums which could well have aided fading Bristol. The reluctant Afoa did return to the pitch and Bristol fended off one last scrum to preserve their lead.