Bristol 32 Toulon 11

From Steve Cotton at the Memorial Stadium

Finally, the wait is over. Bristol ended their 13-match, seven-month losing run with a dogged victory over Toulon on Friday night.

Greater challenges undoubtedly lie ahead for Richard Hill and his squad, notably in the Guinness Premiership, but at least that elusive first win of the campaign has been secured and a degree of confidence restored.

Friday night's success over Toulon, who are offering their wealthy president little in the way of value for money, was built on a solid effort from the Bristol forwards.

Adrian Jarvis backed up their determined work with an assured goal-kicking display, supplying 22 of the points that had Toulon heading home without so much as a losing bonus point.

Toulon were anything but subtle at the breakdown throughout the evening, regularly killing the ball to offer the home side opportunities for points.

And Jarvis lapped up their indiscipline, landing eight of his nine shots at goal on an evening when Bristol rarely looked anything but comfortable.

Toulon may have brought Jerry Collins, their superstar summer signing, back into their side following their 56-3 humiliation at the hands of Northampton eight days earlier, but his return proved largely insignificant.

In fact, his knock-on five metres from the Bristol line on 51 minutes raised one of the largest cheers of the evening, the others being reserved for Darren Crompton's arrival from the bench for his first appearance of the season after an ankle injury and Alfie To'oala's 66th-minute return from the sin-bin.

Bristol outscored their opponents by three tries to one – Vunga Lilo, Dan Ward-Smith and Joe El Abd going over for the hosts – but their victory was more comprehensive than that.

Head coach Hill had cheekily wondered aloud during the week whether Toulon's players, under pressure after their lame surrender in their previous match, would fancy the Friday night trip to Bristol. The answer was quite simple: they didn't.

Bristol were quicker, smarter and more determined than their handsomely-paid French visitors – and the result will surely lift their spirits at a time when they had been in desperate need of a pick-me-up.

Bristol took an eight-point lead into the break after a workmanlike opening period, the busy Lilo opening the scoring with a ninth-minute try after To'oala's line-out take and Ed Barnes' long pass.

They had already lost No 8 Iain Grieve by the time they opened the scoring, the 21-year-old limping off to be replaced by Ward-Smith after only eight minutes.

Toulon hit back after Bristol's score with a try from their full-back, Orene Ai'i, after a well-worked move which followed a scrum – although there was a strong suggestion of a forward pass from winger Marc Andreu to Ai'i.

The sides traded penalties for the remainder of the period, Jarvis landing four for the hosts while Sebastien Fauque replied with two for Toulon as Bristol took a 19-11 lead into the interval.

The visitors' obvious approach to killing the ball saw Ramiro Pez sin-binned shortly after the restart, before To'oala was also ordered off for what referee George Clancy felt was a late tackle on Fauque.

But forget the magic sponge, it was the magic yellow card that proved Fauque's medicine – he was back on his feet as soon as Clancy had reached into his pocket.

Two long-range Jarvis penalties saw Bristol into a 25-11 lead – and Toulon then ran up the white flag.

Bristol had several chances to score before their two late tries, and aside from the occasional counter-attack Toulon offered next to nothing in terms of an attacking threat as the second period wore on.

Ward-Smith went over for their second try, his momentum taking him to the line after Graeme Beveridge's smart pass and a patient spell of build-up.

And there was still time for skipper El Abd to deservedly get his name on the scoresheet, going over out wide after a determined break from Lilo.

Bristol: V Lilo; L Robinson, N Brew, E Barnes (L Eves 62), T Arscott; A Jarvis (C Ashwin 76), G Beveridge (H Thomas 76); A Clarke (D Crompton 62), M Regan (D Blaney 70), J Hobson, R Winters, N Budgett (R Sidoli 70), A To'oala, J El Abd (capt), I Grieve (D Ward-Smith 8).

Scorers: Tries – Lilo, Ward-Smith, El Abd. Cons – Jarvis (2), Ashwin. Pens – Jarvis (6).

Sin-binned: To'oala (54-66, late tackle).

Toulon: O Ai'i (S Falconetti 77); M Andreu, O Grimaud, S Fauque, L Rooney; R Pez, N Jordaan (A Giacobazzi 80); N Agnesi (J Filitoga 41-60), A Muleta, A Galasso, J Suta (E Lozada 64), Y Maestri, J Collins (capt), O Missoup, S Koyamaibole (T Sourice 71). Reps not used: P Fitzgerald, F Auelua.

Scorers: Try – Ai'i. Pens – Fauque (2).

Sin-binned: Pez (45-57, killing the ball).

Ref: G Clancy (Ireland). Att: 5,445.