Lam delighted as Bears show character to edge out Scarlets

BRISTOL

- John Evely

Try-scorer Louis Rees-Zammit celebrates Bristol's victory

Bears began their Champions Cup campaign with a narrow but significant 17-16 victory over Scarlets in Llanelli as they maintained their unbeaten record at the Parc y Scarlets.Pre-match, director of rugby Pat Lam had billed the game as their most important of the group stages, having seen his side drop out of Europe after the pool stages last season

This victory illuminates a path to qualifying for the last 16 knockout round with a victory at home to Pau next Sunday, the next key endeavor.

Lam said: "We have got to win next week. Now we are at home, and we are undefeated at home in the Prem. It gives our crowd an opportunity to get behind us. Every coach in this competition would rather be going into round two with a victory, rather than a loss, so we are in a good place."

Louis Rees-Zammit's try on 54 minutes proved the decisive moment, ensuring Lam's side left west Wales with the spoils despite struggling to stay in the top gear they found in the opening quarter of the contest when No 8 Viliame Mata touched down twice to put his side in a commanding position.