Bears Beyond The Gate

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In this week's episode the lads discuss the excellent win against Exeter Chiefs by 'weathering' yet another storm and coming up trumps at an increasingly fortress-esque Ashton Gate.

It was a textbook demonstration of bravery, determination and accuracy and that was just Miles in the Dolman wearing his over trousers...

But seriously, the boys dug deep, defended hard and just had a bit more to offer in attack than the Chiefs.

We run through individual player performances and bask in the fact that it leaves us with a tidy 14 points and third position. We'd have definitely have taken that at the start for the season but there is a long way to starting with the visit of Tigers on a Friday.

We chat about the potential l team selection especially the front row and wonder whether BV has recovered from his 'head in the spokes' tackle a few weeks ago.

Finally we have a good Goat/Anti Goat and that is us done.

Up the Bears!

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Day late due to logistics so apologies. Running order:

00.00-07.30: Intro and general Premier Sports rant

07:30-12.12: Flag stories

12:12-27:45: General review of the game

27:45-35.00: Player performances

35:00-36:35: Poem

36:35-57:45 - Chiefs preview including selection and predictions

57:45-END - Shout Outs

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In this week's episode we review yet another defeat at the StoneX but discuss whether it was quite as bad as the 30-7 score suggested.

Overall, we weren't great but there were some positive 'moments' and it was good to see new players stand up and be counted.

Ultimately though, our ill discipline and lack of red zone efficiency let us down. The wait goes on (sigh)!

However, Pete did manage to grab a word with Jimmy, Bats, Gabs, Harry Wells and the Mighty Bosh straight after the final whistle to get their (refreshingly honest) thoughts and, equally as importantly, try to discover who might get in Business Class on the flight to Cape Town and who might be in the overhead lockers.

We also discuss the pitch thing and Pete gives an upbeat verdict on the match day experience although that was potentially influenced by the fact that he managed to blag himself a stack of free donuts at half time.

All this and more. Up the Bears!

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Recorded as a two way chat this short-ish episode serves as a preview for the visit to the Stone X, where (in)famously a Bristol Senior team has never won although the Cubs did recently.

Is this the year? Given our impressive start to the season, why not? Duncan thinks so but inevitably Pete employs the use of some 'caveats' and 'alludes' to the weight of various statistics that suggest otherwise.

But hey? We've got to beat them sometime. Give us your thoughts via the usual channels.

Enjoy!

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In this week's episode Pete, Lee and Miles crack open a cheeky beer at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom and raise their glasses to the excellent win against Northampton Saints on Family Day.

It was a game of two halves, each one with its own compelling narrative, but yet another professional and disciplined performance from the pack created opportunities for the backs to shine.

LRZ got another brace, Rands executed a perfect dummy and snipe, and BV got knocked out by launching him 3ft onto a Saints knee just short of the speed of sound.

It was a game with everything, including 5 points to the Bears.

In other news Pete also managed to gain access to the new post-match NFL style mixed zone and had a nice chat with Jimmy Williams, Gabs Ibitoye, Joe Batley, Adge MacGinty and the big man himself. It certainly seems like a good new initiative.

The boys also speculate on the away trip to Saracens and wonder whether this is the year when the Stone-X hoodoo is broken. It's as good a time as any, and finally we finish with Listener shout outs, a Goat/Anti Goat and that's your slightly longer than planned episode done.

Up the Bears!

Running order:

00:00:00: Intros

00:01:20: First half review

00:17:45: Second half review

00:32:20: Player performances

00:43:10: Mixed zone interviews

00:58:10: Discussion about interviews

01:05:10: Sarries preview and predictions

01:13:54: Listener shout outs

01:20:28: Goat/Anti Goat

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In the first review of the new Prem season we discuss Bristol's first bonus point win in Manchester THIS CENTURY.

There had been a fair amount of trepidation in the run up to the game but in the end it was a professional dismantling of a side that has often outmuscled us.

We talk through the key points of the game and discuss player performances including our regular homage to Sir Fitz of Hardingshire. He's a legend.

Finally we look forward to what will no doubt be humdinger at the Gate on Saturday when the reigning champions, Northampton Saints, roll into town. There will be match-ups galore. It's not been a happy hunting ground for them in recent seasons but they are likely to be locked and fully loaded. Strap in everyone!

We finish off with listener shout outs and that's the episode done.

Up the Bears!

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Pete, Miles and a special 'pod royalty' guest sit down with a cheeky beer at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom and discuss the season ahead more generally and the upcoming campaign opener at Sale in particular. It is episode 231 by the way, despite what you heard otherwise!

• Will we make the play offs?
• How far will the 'next men up' step when the injuries hit?
• Will we adapt our style and bring in more tactical kicking?
• Is Pedro Rubiolo the key to our success?
• Have all our competitors improved their squads more than us?
• How will we counter a strong Sale team who have recruited well and tend to always beat us at home?
• Is an early win essential when you see what is coming in October and November?

Questions, questions, questions and maybe a few answers!

Join us for season 8 as we yet again start out on our quest to win that elusive title.

Up the Bears!

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The lads are back for another season.

They whip through news and updates from the off season, briefly review the first Prem Cup game and then give their thoughts, hopes and opinions on the season ahead.

Is this the year?

Join Pete, Lee and Miles for cheeky beer and a bit of Bristol rugby banter...

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In this last episode of yet another eventful but ultimately unsuccessful season we unashamedly put the stopwatch away and ramble on until we run out of gas.

We chart our performances through the season and reminisce over the ups, the downs and the in betweens. It's actually quite a cathartic experience and leads us into a more wide ranging discussion about what coming 6th actually means both in terms of this season in particular and where we are as a club more generally.

Squad size, salary spend, injuries, Academy progression, The Big Day Out and yes,. marketing, all get a mention. It feels like we put things to bed and tuck them up ready to go again in September.

Thanks to all our listeners and followers for all your input especially those of you who make the effort to pen short, sharp summaries, poems and at times fantastic rants. We also appreciate meeting many of you face to face and it always makes us remember why we continue with this labour of love....

By fans, for fans!

Stay stay safe, have a good summer and....

Up the Bears!

Donate to 'Walk for Arthur' here:

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We look back on the excellent victory vs TFDTR on Friday night a the Gate which was a fitting way to say good bye to the leavers as well as purge some of the Franklin’s Garden horror from the previous round.

We admire the endeavour to bagel Bath in the second half and actually come back to win from 14 points behind - despite one or two heart-in-mouth moments - and revel in some excellent individual performances…

• Fitz Hardings broken hand bravery...
• BJVR’s confirmation that he is clearly one of the best centres in the League…
• Harry Thacker’s personification of the phrase ‘evergreen’…

We also discuss some of the more general issues that the game raised and even feel obliged to admit that we thought Karl Dickson has a good game apart from getting hoodwinked by Ben Spencer who shamelessly ran down the clock during Arundel’s yellow card absence.

We also find time for some more general chat about all things rugby and run through a number of shout-outs at the end including encouraging listeners to sign up to the ‘Fans to 5k’ fitness initiative which we are backing on behalf of Bristol Rugby. More details can be found here

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It's a sombre pod and many things have already been said about Friday's chastening and record-breaking defeat against Saints across various platforms. There are lots of interrelated reasons why teams lose matches both contextual and in the heat of battle, but ultimately shipping that many points to a rival is almost impossible to comprehend let alone accept.

How do you analyse a game like that? We do our best to try and put in into perspective and discuss some of the issues that it raises. Hopefully it is fair and balanced although we appreciate that everyone has their own opinions and that's absolutely fine.

Although mathematically still possible it is fair to say that the hopes of a play-off spot are now swimming with the fishes but we do have a home game against Bath to look forward to in a couple of weeks. It is a chance for both players and fans alike to dig deep and try to purge the memory of Franklins Gardens.

Lets get the Gate rocking and keep that home Prem win streak intact.

We also remind everyone that the PWR will start again on May 30th with the Bears Women playing Chiefs at Shaftesbury Park. It is actually the last home game of the season but will be 'pink' themed in order to raise money for breast cancer aweeness and research so get yourself along.

Up the wounded Bears!

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Let us know what you think!

In this week's episode, Pete, Lee and Miles discuss Bristol's dominant victory away at Newcastle.

It was another welcome five points but it came at a cost with more injuries to contend with.

On the postive side we have two weeks to recover and prepare for the vist of Saracens which will be the 'must wins' of must wins. Can we get that irritiating North London monkey off our back or will the Death Eaters suck the life out of us yet again.

That said, at least it's not taking place on November 5th. We will never forget.

Miles and Lee also report back from their experience watching the Red Roses beat a spirited Wales side and we then discuss more ideas for filling Ashton Gate including taking the flag idea to another level!Stay

Stay safe, have a good week and up the Bears!

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Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

In this special preview episode Pete is joined by Rob from the Rosbifs Rugby pod.

He gives us the lowdown on what to expect from Toulouse on Saturday. It's not particularly optimisitc but there are a few crumbs of comfort and who knows, stranger things have happened?

Equally, or maybe even more importantly, the second half of the chat is all about what to do when you get out there this weekend including going to watch Colomiers vs Dax on Friday night as well as following his recommendations for places to eat, drink and be merry whatever the result!

Marche Victor Hugo - classic French market:

Click here for location

La Voie Maltee - craft beer bottle shop for takeaways to enjoy by the river:

Click here for location

La Bierographe - bar for craft beer nerds:

Click here for location

Chez Tonton - Student bar by the river. A bit rowdy but a Toulouse institution:

Click here for location

The Hopscotch Pub - Scottish bar with beers brewed in house:

Click here for location

Little Big Bar - small bar with good beer and a decent mixed platter. Lots of restaurants on the same street:

Click here for location

Pub O'clock - next to Marche Victor Hugo. A big sports bar with good range of beers.

Click here for location

Le Dahu - Great value restaurant with traditional 3-course meal and amazing Dauphinoise potato.

Click here for location

Finally, Rosbifs Rugby favorite place - a small wine bar with generous pourings. Listen to the end of the pod to find out its name!

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In a slight diversion from the norm Pete, Lee and Miles record live from The Philarmonic on St Mary's Street, Cardiff, both before and straight after the game.

What a difference a few hours makes!

You can only say what you think and the Thatchers fuelled pre-match expectation and optimism is countered by the harsh reality of the post-match result. If that doesn't remind anyone of the fickle nature of being a fan then we don't know what does!

On further reflection we may think differently or we may double down on our initial thoughts. Who knows?

But as always we try to give a balanced view on a game that we barely had time to process before hitting the record button. You may agree, disagree or not give a toss but either way it is what it is!

Enjoy and up the Bears!

Time stamps:

00:00 - 08:32 - Pre match chirpiness

08:33 - 18:00 - Post match reflection

18:01 - 18:45 - A small ray of sunshine - Look-a-like-cam?

18:46 - 23:30 - The debrief continues

23:31 - 25:06 - A positive listener viewpoint

25:07 - 26:30 - A random positve chat with Rob from Skewen RFC

Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

We're back from our Six Nations hiatus with a round up of news from in and around the club as well turning our attention to the relatively happy hunting gound that is Welford Road as we re-start our quest to reach the Prem summit on Sunday.

Running order:

• Injury updates
• Contract extensions
• New signings
• Big Day Out ticket sales
• Bears Women
• Matt Salter
• Prem Cup campaign pluses and minuses
• Tigers preview with a little help from BBC Leicester Tigers Rugby Show
• Poetry goat
• The end

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