FIJI Water Flying Fijians number 8 Viliame Mata made a powerful impact off the bench, delivering big hits and strong defense to help his Bristol Bears side defeat the Leicester Tigers 42-24 at Ashton Gate in their Premiership opener.
AJ MacGinty’s penalty and Fitz Harding’s try gave the Bears the early lead, but the Tigers’ Jack van Poortvliet and Adam Radwan struck back to put Leicester up 17-10 in the first half.
Gabriel Ibitoye’s try and Tom Jordan’s penalty pulled the Bears closer, before Gabriel Oghre’s try pushed the hosts 10 points clear.
Leicester’s Orlando Bailey cut the deficit, but a debut try from Josh Carrington and a late Louis Rees-Zammit score sealed an impressive Bristol victory.
Mata marshalled the forwards, with their muscle work proving pivotal in securing two early penalties and forcing a string of errors at the breakdown.
Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling, frustrated with the second half, said there was effort and endeavour from his players, who worked hard for each other against what he described as a very strong Bristol side.
In other result this morning Northhampton Saints drew 31-31 with Exeter Chiefs.
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