On a lovely afternoon Bristol were quickly into their stride but an early penalty kick from Adrian Jarvis on halfway fell, unsurprisingly, short.  Despite the action it was a long time before the first score came.  Given the urgency of the Bristol performance it went to Bristol when the forwards mauled the ball into the 22.  With the defence sucked in the ball was popped out to Dan Norton who accelerated past the flat footed defence to score the first try.  Jarvis was off target with his conversion attempt, so 5 - 0.

Rotherham were rocked by the try and had no answer to the power of the excellent James Merriman; who, picking off a poor throw-in at the Rotherham lineout, raced towards the line swatting two unfortunate defenders aside.  He crossed under the posts for a try that was disappointingly unconverted.  Still, 10 - 0 to Bristol.  Sadly Rotherham were able to narrow the gap when awarded a penalty at the scrum.  Bristol were galvanised into a response.  The forwards disrupted a Rotherham maul and the ball went out to Matt Turner on the right.  He sped down the wing just dancing past the first two tacklers.  On he went and it looked, to me, that there was no one to stop him.  In fact the Rotherham full-back was camouflaged against some advertising.  No matter, Turner had the strength and guile to evade his despairing tackle.  He went over in the corner.  This time Jarvis was right on target and it was 17 - 3.

Bristol kept the visitors under pressure and were able to make it count.  The ball went quickly out of a ruck and into the hands of Junior Fatialofa who struck to score the bonus point converted try and a healthy 24 - 3 scoreline.  It soon looked even healthier when Darren Crompton put in a typically robust run into midfield before sensibly deciding that others might be better placed (and shaped) to take advantage.  Out went the ball to the wing where Norton again showed his pace and balance before diving flamboyantly over for a score of 29 - 3 at the end of the half.

We briefly contemplated moving up towards the Clubhouse end, but decided against it as smacking of arrogance.  Remaining in Idiots' Corner proved to be the right decision as we were treated to most of the second half action.  What happened at half time, I don't know.  But if Paul Hull said "Bedford are scoring tries for fun, so let's get some defending practice in!" then the team certainly paid attention.  Rotherham started the half in a much more positive and organised fashion.  Essentially, Bristol never got out of their half, perhaps not even the 22, for the best part of the opening quarter.

Rotherham started with a good penetrating run down the wing but the defence was equal to the task and the danger snuffed out.  However, they kept up the intensity and Bristol were forced solely onto the defensive.  Even when Rotherham were dispossessed Bristol simply gave the ball back by kicking it back to them.  Rotherham daringly went for the corner from a penalty and drove for the line.  They were unable to get the ball down and Bristol totally destroyed the resulting scrum to clear the immediate danger.

Totally against the run of play, it was Bristol who were next to score.  The ball was cleared downfield and the pack overwhelmed the defence for Dan Montagu to go over in the corner.  Jarvis made no error and it was suddenly 36 - 3.

Creditably Rotherham didn't let this cruel blow dishearten them.  They once again took play back into the Bristol half and either kept hold of the ball or had it kicked back to them.  First we saw a good run down the left that might have been rewarded if the player had stepped either side rather than running straight into the last defender.  In midfield they took a quick tap penalty and the Bristol defence parted before the attack.  Matt Turner got back to haul the ball carrier down.  The constant pressure told as Norton was yellow carded after being spoken to previously.  In his absence Rotherham finally secured the points their efforts probably deserved.  The referee decided that Bristol had infringed as they completely destroyed a Rotherham maul (perhaps harshly).  Rotherham again took the penalty quickly and Brad Hunt made his way through the depleted Bristol defence (Turner being injured) for a converted try and a final score of 36 - 10.

A much improved performance from Bristol.  The dynamism that has been missing so far was much in evidence.  The breakdown was attacked with greater vigour and the back row scavenged and harried to good effect.  James Merriman was rightly man of the match and his work in securing possession and disrupting the opposition was exemplary.  The backs again looked sharp with ball in hand.  In contrast the kicking game still looks woeful and all too often handed hard won possession, particularly in the second half, straight back to the opposition.  The defensive workout in the second half may well come in handy next weekend against a Bedford side that has been playing an exciting and expansive style of rugby.

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