The scoreline didn't really do justice to the effort that Bristol put in on the day and the way they tried to play the game. But Tom Arscott was denied when he looked set to score when the game was still in the balance and Peter Hewat was awarded a controversial try in the second half which eased Irish clear.

It was one of those afternoons for Bristol who showed great spirit and no little skill but it turned out to be a day when very little went right.

But it's a game when you have to take your chances. Irish did take theirs whereas Bristol, despite some promising build up play, turned the ball over or committed an individual error at a key moment.

The game got off to a less than perfect start for Bristol as Ed Barnes kicked off fractionally too long and put the ball out on the full giving Irish good field position on halfway. Bristol then conceded a free kick which Irish took quickly to put Topsy Ojo into space but his grubber kick was just too long and ran dead.

Bristol then enjoyed a good spell as they took an Irish scrum against the head and moved left through Neil Brew who gave David Lemi some running room. The Bristol support was good with Dan Ward-Smith prominent and only a turnover five metres from the line halted the move.

Dan Ward-Smith hands off Faan Rautenbach

(c) Martin Bennett

The Irish drummers tried to lift their team but the Bristol support, although obviously outnumbered, were also in very good voice and backing their team to the hilt.

Bristol were looking very lively in possession in these opening 10 minutes with backs and forwards linking up well but the Irish press defence was keeping them at bay.

And, after a Tom Arscott knock in midfield, Bristol were penalised for deliberately wheeling the scrum and Peter Hewat made no mistake from distance to make the score 3-0 after 14 minutes.

Bristol responded well with the Arscotts linking up well and Neil Brew almost broke up the middle. But Irish had come in at the side of a ruck to give Ed Barnes a difficult chance from out wide and the fly half slotted a superb kick to level the scores after 19 minutes.

It had been a good opening quarter for Bristol but the good work was undone on 23 minutes as Barnes failed to find touch and Irish ran it back through Ojo who brushed aside Tom Arscott to move into the 22.

The Irish support was good as Bristol scrambled back to no avail. The ball was moved right and Stuart Mackie picked a low pass off his toes to cross unopposed for the game's opening try. Hewat converted for 10-3 after 24 minutes.

Iain Grieve showed up well on his birthday

(c) Martin Bennett

Bristol were then put under more pressure as a Catt chip had to be smartly covered by Shaun Perry. Bristol couldn't get away from their own line and conceded a penalty to give the home team a 5m lineout. Bristol held out the catch and drive but were penalised out wide as Irish moved the ball away from the breakdown and Hewat made the score 13-3 on the half hour.

Bristol thought they'd hit staight back as a slick backs move freed Tom Arscott for a run to the corner but referee Dave Pearson stunned Bristol by adjudging the pass from Luke Arscott to be forward. It was a harsh call and a blow for Bristol who believed they were in for the score.

The referee then rubbed salt into Bristol's wounds by ruling that Bristol had interfered with the jumper as they stole an Irish lineout but Hewat dragged his kick just wide to let Bristol off the hook.

Bristol finished the first half strongly as they went in search of a score that would get them back into the game but the Irish defence held firm and Bristol went into half time trailing 13-3 and knowing that they had a big second half ahead of them.

Irish came out and dominated the first couple of minutes as they maintained possession and tried to stretch Bristol but to no avail.

Bristol looked to have weathered the storm but a quick lineout caught the defence napping. Bristol got back but Jason Hobson was spotted taking an opponent out off the ball and was yellow carded. Hewat slotted the resulting penalty for 16-3 after 49 minutes.

Rob Higgitt tries to slip Tiesi's tackle

(c) Martin Bennett

The 14 man Bristol side were under the cosh but responded well. However, an evil bounce from a Paul Hodgson chip through caught Shaun Perry off guard and Peter Hewat stormed through to win the race for the touchdown according to referee Pearson and the touch judge although it looked far from conclusive. Hewat converted his own try for 23-3.

Bristol again dug deep and claimed the restart. Good hands from Lemi and Luke Arscott put Tom Arscott into space but the winger was bundled into touch at the corner flag with a 22 drop out the result.

Bristol started to use their bench but it was Irish who looked to be finishing the stronger. Bristol only just held out Tagicakibau and, from the lineout, Irish stretched Bristol out wide and Mapusua crossed for the third try. Hewat was off target but Irish had a comfortable 28-3 lead.

Again Bristol did their best to strike back and there was the welcome sight of Luke Eves making a fine break through the middle but Bristol couldn't take advantage of the situation. David Lemi also produced a sparkling break down the left as time ticked away but a foot in touch stopped him as he looked to finish off the move.

Bristol continued to press and, after a series of 5m scrums, the ball was moved right from Lemi to Luke Arscott to brother Tom and the winger stepped inside the final defender to score. Jason Strange was off target with the conversion.

Tom Arscott is set to score

(c) Martin Bennett

No further score before the final whistle although Irish were hunting a bonus point try as time ran out.

A disappointing afternoon for Bristol but one when very little went their way.