Bristol coach Hill praises side for stemming flow from Scarlets

Richard Hill paid tribute to a sterling defensive effort after Bristol restricted Llanelli Scarlets to three tries last night in the last game to be played at Stradey Park.

Bristol lost 27-0 in the EDF Energy Cup but only conceded one try in the second half as Scarlets threatened open the floodgates.

Former Bristol centre Rob Higgitt rounded off the scoring, adding to earlier tries from Simon Easterby and Morgan Stoddart.

Head coach Hill said: "Scarlets could have cut loose in the second half. That didn't happen. Our set piece was good and Robert Sidoli ran the line-out well.

"The pack also worked hard in the scrum to avoid giving Scarlets any quality possession.

"It was a great defensive effort. We knew we were in for a difficult evening. It took a lot of effort to deny Scarlets a bonus point. That was crucial.

"To come down to Scarlets on an evening of full emotion and prevent them getting a bonus point is a pretty good achievement."

Hill, who made 14 changes from the last game against Toulon, will select a completely different team again a week today against Saracens.

But he was delighted for some of his youngsters, including wing Mat Turner and fly-half Chris Ashwin who were making only their second starts for the club.

Another rookie, Redford Pennycook, was his pick of the forwards.

Hill added: "Chris is a young man who came into that environment was outstanding. Mat Turner was also very good. Mat showed he is a good player. He pulled off some good tackles.

"Redford Pennycook was the pick of the forwards but we are going to put a different XV against Saracens. The team will be very similar to who faced Toulon."