Hat-trick for Ibitoye seals Bristol revival

GABRIEL Ibitoye spearheaded an unlikely Bristol revival as the Bears took the spoils in an absorbing derby at Sandy Park.

- MARK STEVENS

With the visitors 20 points adrift, the winger lifted his side to a memorable victory against the winless Chiefs.

Not since 2014 have Rob Baxter's side lost five successive league games, this includes one from the end of last term, but these are tough times for the Devonians, who had looked to be in the box seat following a brace of tries from wingers Paul Brown-Bampoe and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

The Bears have been in sparkling form on the road and they showed all their fight and desire which augurs well for them this season.

It was a gutsy perfor mance from Pat Lam's side, who also claimed scores from Kieran Marmion, Joe Batley and Gabriel Oghre.

Defeated in their opening three games, the Chiefs didn't look like a side who were short of confidence. They were quickly into their attacking rhythm, dominating the early exchanges with a succession of raids into enemy territory which led to an infringement by hooker Oghre which gave Hodge a shot at goal, and the ball cannoned in off the post on nine minutes.