Bears Beyond The Gate

Ep 167 - Raw, raucous and rip-roaring and the action at the Gate wasn't too bad either. The live pod has dropped.

It's a carnival atmosphere down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom this week as having constantly 'talked about' doing a live pod the lads actually execute one straight after the 13-try massacre of Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate. It's raw and it's raucous but the lads try their best to analyse the game despite 10% off the beers and 50% of the champagne. They also look towards Tigers and beyond and dare to believe. Back in the top four from no-where. Can we? You bet we can...  We also d...

Ep 166 - Live pod details, season card renewals, Bears Women storm to final and Falcons preview

In this week's episode we formally announce our first ever live pod, in the sense that we are inviting an audience to the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom post Falcons at 6.30pm next Sunday. If you are interested in finding out more, and even contemplating joining us, then complete the Eventbrite registration below (it's free but it helps us get an idea of numbers) as well as the Google form where you can submit a question in advance and provide us with answers to a few short questions about th...

Ep 164 - Janse takes a fancy to the Kingsholm turf as Bears retain the Rifles Cup

You’re listening to Bears Beyond the Gate, a Bristol Bears podcast made by fans for fans. We’re two and a half season cardholders at Ashton Gate who love the club, the game and all things Bears. Well, Miles is happy as Pat listens to his selection advice from the ski slopes of France and moves Max to full back, Noah Howard to the wing and gives Gengey the starting berth at loosehead. And it works, as Bristol retain the Rifles Cup by winning at Kingsholm for only the third time since 2006. ...

Ep 165 - Janse takes a fancy as the Rifles Cup is retained

You’re listening to Bears Beyond the Gate, a Bristol Bears podcast made by fans for fans. We’re two and a half season cardholders at Ashton Gate who love the club, the game and all things Bears. Well, Miles is happy as Pat listens to his selection advice from the ski slopes of France and moves Max to full back, Noah Howard to the wing and gives Gengey the starting berth at loosehead. And it works, as Bristol retain the Rifles Cup by winning at Kingsholm for only the third time since 2006.I...

Ep 164 - Bears batter League leaders as Saints come a cropper in BS3 yet again…

In this week’s episode Pete and Miles dial in from their respective ski resorts  whilst Lee shakes his head at the whole middle classy-ness of it all. That said, it was worth the effort as the boys chew over the fantastic victory against Saints on Friday and give their thoughts on what was very close to being the elusive 80- performance. They discuss various key moments in the game, reflect on the myriad quality performances and celebrate the atmosphere down at the Gate. When it comes to N...

Ep 163 - Back to business! Saints preview with help from the Telegraph's Charlie Morgan

In this weeks's episode we preview the return of the Prem with help from the Telegraph's Charlie Morgan. It's been a long break but there's all to play for and as we're only three points off 6th and six points off 4th can we dare to dream? We also comment on Pat's interview on Bears TV this week and then try and pick the team for Friday. With a lot of players seemingly available it's actually quite a pleasurable task. Finally we also revel a piece of news that will send shockwaves around B...

Ep 162 - Interview with Paul Morgan of Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR)

In the second of our occasional 'doc-pods' we head towards the end of this long fallow period by hearing from Paul Morgan, who is  the Communications Lead of PWR and previously Communications Director at Premier Rugby and before that editor of Rugby World. He talks about the rebranding of the PRW this season, his thoughts about Bears Women team and offer some more general thoughts on where domestic rugby union is going given the challenges that is has faced in recent times.  Sit back, relax...

Ep 161 - Joe Joyce interview and a few other things

In this week's slightly delayed pod (technical difficulties) we hear from Bristol legend and current Galway resident Joe Joyce . He gives us some insight into what it's like getting  a bit of niggle going with some of your best mates in the European Cup, speaks candidly about why he left his home town for pastures new and 'talks about' his future aspirations as well as revealing a surprising candidate for 'hardest man' in the Bears camp. We also review the excellent Bears' Women victory aga...

Ep 160 - Lightning strike

It's only Pete and Lee this week down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom supping a couple of cheeky beers, as Miles calls in sick at the last minute. However, they still manage to fill the time, with help from listener posts, discussing the Bears Women victory against Loughborough Lightening in particular and how their season is hotting up more generally, as well as intertwining their thoughts with other subjects as wide ranging as Super League netball and the importance of not doing well ...

Ep 160 - Bears Women condemn Loughborough Lightning with a solid second half strike

It's only Pete and Lee this week down at the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom supping a couple of cheeky beers, as Miles calls in sick at the last minute. However, they still manage to fill the time, with help from listener posts, discussing the Bears Women victory against Loughborough Lightening in particular and how their season is hotting up more generally, as well as intertwining their thoughts with other subjects as wide ranging as Super League netball and the importance of not doing well ...

Ep 159 - Big Dave Attwood interview and 'season so far' reflections

In this week's BUMPER episode we hear from Dave Attwood about: His life since retirement... His time at the Bears and what it was like working under Pat... THAT semi final defeat and why it all went wrong... What he thinks about Bristol's season so far AND how we are not 'a million miles away from clicking' and finally... His answers to some incredibly searching short sharp questions, including one that is on every fan's lips i.e what might be considered appropriate attire at rugby matc...

Ep 158 - Bears Together Supporters Advisory Committee docu-pod!

In the first ever Bears Beyond The Gate 'docu-pod' we hear from Kiera, Kaye and Sophie about the work of the Bears Together Supporters Advisory Committee (SAC)  an initiative  that was announced at the start of the season as a way of the club being able to gather more direct feedback from fans about off-field matters. They talk about who they, and other members of SAC are, how the first meeting went and their aims of for the future. They are there to represent US so if you have any comments ...

Ep 157 - Banger in BS3

As the Premiership takes a mid season break for the Six Nations, we review the monumental banger at Ashton Gate as Bristol maintain their seven-game home town winning streak against Bath. Basically it was just a mental game of rugby. Multiple line breaks, gorgeous offloads and 14 tries AND virtually no box kicks or scrums. It was rugby played the way it should be! As well as hearing from both sets of fans before and after the game thanks to our brand new audio recording device and Miles wea...

Ep 156 - Dumped out of Europe twice in Galway. Where do we go from here?

In this week's episode we welcome work experience fella Reg to deputise for Lee who is still in witness protection after his new year Bristol Post article - or is he just taking the Christmas Tree down? We discuss the poor result and performance against Connacht which essentially saw us dumped out of both European Cups in one go and debate what this means in terms of goals and targets for the rest of the season and beyond. Is change needed and if so, what should it look like? That said the...

Ep 155 - Bearpit becomes Bullring as Champions Cup hopes hang in the balance

Vote for us at the Sports Podcast Awards 2024 and help us bring home some silverware for the Bears! Click on the link below... https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-rugby-podcast/ And in other news, the Bears lose to a decent Bulls outfit who out-muscle them in the scrum and generally look a bit better all round. Hear our thoughts and then those of Alan and William from Connacht's 'The Craggy Rugby Podcast' as they help us preview the final pool game from gorgeous Galway....

Ep 154 - Surprise Shark attack washes away the winter woes with all eyes now on the Bulls

In this week's show we prepare, bake and scoff large amounts of humble pie after the surprise Bears' victory away at Sale Sharks. How can we be so bad and so good all in one week? We get the views of regular social media followers and also hear from yet another roving reporter who saw the game live, as well as throwing in our thoughts and opinions for good measure. The last time a South African side game to the Gate a whole nation was disappointed but this time we welcome the Bulls in the n...

Ep 153 - All aboard the Bristol rollercoaster with a mid-week ramble to review the fluctuating festive fortunes from Bear Country

Crocodile Dundee returns to chew the Christmas cud with a somewhat unstructured ramble thought the festive period culminating in a long discussion about the impacts of last Friday's hugely disappointing defeat against Exeter 2.0 in front of sell-out crowd. Despite leading 14-12 at the break the Bears were bageled in the second half at the hands of a young, hungry and well drilled outfit leaving many fans wondering were we go from here. You'll have to put in a big oral shift to find out what ...

Ep 152 - Bears thump Gloucester in the 'must win' derby...

In this week's episode we relish the record breaking 51-26 victory over Gloucester and the retention of the Rifles Cup. After five losses on the bounce this was as a cathartic an experience as you are likely to get and the relief flowing around the Gate on the final whistle was palpable. We read and hear the thoughts of our listeners and then briefly discuss what this means for our chances against Lyon and Bordeaux as we head for a brief diversion to the group stage of the Champions Cup befo...

Ep 151 - Bears battle bravely but Sarries score seven

We slip to a fifth defeat in a row at the Stone X but battle hard for a cheeky try bonus point which was the least we deserved. We may have scored a couple of worldies but we also shipped seven and if Owen Farrell had put his boots on the right way round it could have been a lot worse. We review the game with help from a few listeners and the Chair of the Supporters Club and then look forward to the Rifles Cup on Saturday which really, really, really is now a must, must, must win game. We al...

Ep 150 - Last ditch derby day defeat but positives from a powerful second period...

In this week's episode - our 150th - we chew over the agonising last ditch defeat at the Rec with help from our listeners and reflect on how we really need to start getting on the right side of 'fine margins' otherwise the season is going to slip away. That said, there were plenty of positives to take from the game and we pray that they might be somehow converted into points, cheeky or otherwise, at the Stone X stadium on Saturday. On that note we hear from Jez Denton from Saracens' Fezcast ...

Ep 149 - Bright start fizzles out as Sale take the spoils

Ep 148 - Disappointment down in Devon

WARNING - THERE IS THE SOUND OF RAIN FALLING AT VARIOUS POINTS DURING THIS RECORDING BUT WE WERE TRYING SOMETHING NEW SO BE PATIENT WITH US! 😩 So, our unerring ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory  continues with a second frustrating result in a week down at Sandy Park. To be fair it was a gritty performance at the place where both Sarries and Sale have recently been humbled and a hat trick of cross field kick tries for Rich Lane was a delight to behold but ultimately, we came...

Ep 147 - Defeat at the death halts winning run

So, the brief winning run is over thanks to a last gasp penalty for Quins at the death on Saturday. It was family day at the Gate but unfortunately the Bears were unable to keep all the kids happy with a mixed display that included some very good but also some frustratingly sloppy bad. Ultimately we were the architects of our own downfall and our decision making under pressure and sometimes not under pressure came back to haunt us. We look back at the game with help from our listeners again...

Ep 146 - Bears march on as Saints slip to home defeat

It's the first time in three years that we have won away at Franklin’s Gardens although after going 18-9 down early in the second half it was great to see the boys ‘dig’ themselves out of a hole and ‘sow the seeds’ of a victory with a penalty and a converted try before the break ultimately making Miles ‘soil’ his pants at the death by efficiently managing the game out in the second half. We revel in this bonus point 33-27 victory and continue our strategy of involving our listeners in the po...

Ep 145 - Tigers tamed and Saints await

Well, the waiting was over and after an extended pre-season the Premiership finally returned to Ashton Gate with the visit of Leicester Tigers. With both teams missing international players, it was an opportunity for new signings and squad players to impress, and impress they did, albeit mainly for Bristol. At 25-0 up and cruising some of us were wondering whether we were going to get that magical 80-minute performance in game day one. However, the second half was more of a battle but ultima...

Ep 144 - Cambridge given a lesson and all eyes now on the Tigers

In this week's episode we round up the Premiership Cup/pre-season campaign and reflect on the shellacking meted out to poor Cambridge who were universally challenged all over the park. It was great to see a tsunami of tries but we ultimately finished second in our group and therefore miss out on two more games and a chance of silverware later on in the season . Should we be disappointed that we didn't manage to progress or should we just be grateful for the various 'hit-outs' that it afforde...

Ep 143 - (Pre) Season 5 gets underway as the boys finally return from their summer recess

In this term’s opener we reveal some earth shattering news from the summer break but pull ourselves together and cast an eye over the pre-season so far. After welcoming the Baa Baas to Ashton Gate with a gift of 50 plus points, shipping even more down at Sandy Park with a team requiring parental permission to play, and then getting ‘edged out’ by Ealing Trailfinders the week after, we celebrate our own bit of edging with our thoughts on the last gasp victory over Northampton Saints at the w...

Ep142 - Gloucester beaten at the Gate and our 2022/23 season review

In our final  episode of the season we discuss the bonus-point victory against Gloucester which wasn't quite enough to gain a Champions Cup place next year. In this bumper edition we look back at our highlights of the past year and chat about the impact some of our departing players have had on the club and the fans. We give our thoughts on the player of the year and who has improved the most. We then go through the retained list and give our thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of nex...

Ep141 - last gasp agony for Bristol at Sandy Park and the visit of Gloucester to the Gate

Feelings run high in BBTG Towers as the Bears fall to a 22-21 defeat away at Exeter despite playing with an extra man for 60 minutes. A high penalty count and some costly errors mean the Bears lose another winnable game and face a last-day battle for a Champions Cup place for next term. Hear our thoughts on the game, tactics and levels of commitment as Bristol came up just short yet again this season. We also look ahead to Gloucester's visit to the Gate on Coronation Day, discuss the Women...

Ep140 - Sale's Currys too hot for Bristol and a trip to Devon

It was Go Green night at Ashton Gate but fans we're left seeing red and feeling blue after tasting defeat yet again against Sale as the Sharks glided off with a 20-36 victory. Hear our thoughts about the tactics, performances and one or two other things that caught our eye on Friday night. We discuss the trip to Exeter for the penultimate game of the season and speculate on the Chiefs line up with their Champions Cup semi final the following weekend. Will they go big against Bris' or hold p...

Ep139 - Euro woes, new signings, season ticket prices and loyalty scheme verdict

Welcome to this week's show where we discuss the 26-33 home defeat at the hands of Clermont. A couple of gift-wrapped tries in each half meant Bristol had too much to do to snatch a victory at the end. All in all, a disappointing end to our European campaign. We also discuss the nine players who have extended their contracts plus the two new arrivals for next season. Also hear our thoughts on next year's season ticket prices and the current loyalty scheme. All this and more with Tony, Lee ...

Ep138 - Bears fail to tame Tigers at Welford Road

Our four game winning streak came to an end on the road at Leicester but despite the 46-22 final score this was a game we could have won if we'd taken our chances and looked after our discipline. Hear our thoughts on the player performances, key moments and what it means for our league campaign. We then look ahead to the European Challenge Cup game at home to Clermont on Friday night. Hear our thoughts on team selections and Bristol's chances of making the quarter finals. All this and mor...

Ep137 - Bears blitz Quins in seven-try rout at the Gate

It may have been a Sunday service, but there was nothing Godly about the rugby filth on show as Bristol backed up last week's big win with a another try fiesta to beat Harlequins 51-26. Memories of the 'Bristanbul' semi final defeat to Quins are starting to fade as Bristol completed the double on the fancy dans from South West London. Hear our thoughts on the game, player performances and what has happened to turn our team into contenders for a top half finish and perhaps even more. On th...

Ep136 - Rampant Bears stun Saints 62-8 in record win

Hell yeah. After a very long wait we finally got to see a full 80-minute performance from the Bears as they dismantled Northampton by nine tries to one. Hear our thoughts on the game, player performances and the sheer joy of Friday night after a long and fairly bleak winter. We'll also look ahead to the next game against Harlequins on Sunday and discuss the departures of Andy Uren and Sam Bedlow next season. All this and more with TC, Pete and Miles.

Ep135 - Bears beat Bath at the Rec, Saints preview and signing speculation

This week we talk about Bristol's 15-13 win against old rivals Bath at the Rec. In one of the scrappiest games of the season the Bears pulled of the win, despite a stuttering performance. Hear our thoughts on the game and the player performances. We also look forward to the next home game against the Saints with the help of Tom Vickers, Sports Writer for the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. There's also six contract signings to discuss and rumours that a British Lion might be crossing the ...

Ep134 - Finally a league win against flightless Falcons and a Bath preview

This week we talk about the long awaited 30-12 league win at home against Newcastle. After a 77-day break since the last home game in the Premiership, Bristol stepped up to grab a bonus-point victory with the last play of the game. Here our thoughts on the match, standout performances and what this means for the remaining campaign. On this show we are also joined by Bath Bytes for a preview of the game away at the Rec. Get the inside line on Bath's form and how the big derby game may go. ...

Ep133 - Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. The search for a win at the StoneX continues

In this week's show Pete and Lee chew over the last minute defeat against Saracens. How on earth did we manage to lose that one and what is it about the Bears and game management? More of a therapy session than an analytical deep dive the lads at least try to make some sort of sense of the nonsensical. Was it just 'one of those things' or symptomatic of wider malaise within the squad? On the positive side we balance it out a bit by celebrating some excellent individual performances, look f...

Ep132 - Bears beat Perpignan with a first half display full of joie de vivre on a freezing cold night at Ashton Gate

A first half performance by Bristol which was full of brio warmed the cockles of  the Ashton Gate faithful as a home tie in the Challenge Cup round of 16 was secured despite getting five points docked earlier in the week. After conceding an early try the Bears roared back with five unanswered dots over the whitewash with some sparkling back play built on the foundations of much improved discipline. The second half, however, was less impressive  as Perpignan briefly threatened to spoil the s...

Ep131 - Late second half comeback in Parma propels Bears to bonus point victory in the Challenge Cup

In this week's show the boys discuss the win against Parma-Zebre in round three of the European Challenge Cup. After a totally forgettable first period the half time team talk seems to work for a change and eventually the Bears pull away with a feast of tries in the final quarter.  Seeing both Harry Randall and Siva Nualago back on the park and seemingly firing on all cylinders was a real boost although eventually the pack got their discipline sorted and we started to resemble a proper team ...

Ep130 - Abject display at London Irish and our next European challenge

In this week's show the boys discuss the hugely dissapointing display that led to the 23-7 loss away at London Irish. Too many penalties, turnovers and mistakes and too little possession and territory was the story of a wet and miserable day in West London for Bears' fans. We analyse the performance and ask what next for Pat and the team after yet another league defeat. We also look ahead to the European Challenge Cup fixture in Parma against Zebre. We discuss the likely team and assess ho...

Ep129 - Bears hold on by a fingertip to victory at the Stoop

In this week’s show the boys discuss the dramatic victory at the Stoop that brought a much needed league victory. Hear our thoughts on THAT tap tackle and the Marler/Heenan incident.  We also look ahead to the next game away at Brentford with Jerry Brown, chair of the London Irish supporters association.  All this and more with Tony, Miles and Pete. 

Ep128 - Two euro wins on the trot as Bears beat Zebre at the Gate

In this episode the boys discuss the 35-19 win against Parma Zebre that leaves the Bears undefeated in Europe this season.  Two early gift-wrapped tries gave us momentum in a game played at a wet and chilly Ashton Gate.  We also look forward to the re planned game on 27 December. New venue and a new kickoff time. We speak to our friends at the  Harlequins Podcast and get their thoughts on the match and the likely result.  All this and more with Tony, Miles and Pete on an online recording. ...

Ep127 - Bears European victory in France and Zebre next at the Gate

In this show the Bears are back to winning ways with a hard fought 5-19 away win against Perpignan. Hear our thoughts on the game and player performances.  We also discuss the next game against Zebre, Eddie Jones’s departure and the sad confirmation that the Wizard of Oz is leaving BS3. 

Ep126 - Bristol Bears tie with Tigers and European campaign awaits

In this week's show we discuss the 26-26 draw with reigning champions Leicester Tigers. The Bears managed to stop their six game losing streak but a MacGinty penalty in the dying seconds fell short as did our hopes of a win. Hear our thoughts on the game, Semi Radradra's long-awaited return and the cards that changed the momentum in the game. We also ask where was the rejuvenated Brizzley? Surely he's not injured after one appearance! In the podcast we also look ahead to the start of our E...

Ep125 - Bears go six Prem games without a win after a narrow defeat up north at Sale

In this week's pod we discuss the encouraging yet ultimately disappointing defeat at Sale which leaves us without a Premiership win in six games and staring down the barrel of being bottom at Christmas. The returning big guns certainly fired a few shots but a lack of precision when it really mattered dogged us again. With a fired up Tigers visiting the Gate next Saturday we finally get organised with a Pete's Premiership Preview and talk to Mike Cooper of the Rolling Maul podcast to get his ...

Ep124 - Bears beat the Springboks on historic night

In this week's show we reminisce about the Bears 26-18 victory over South Africa A in front of a record-breaking attendance at Ashton Gate. The boys discuss the game and the off-pitch events this made this game one that will live long in the memory. But find out why Lee had to raise a Gets My Goat from Thursday night. We also discuss Bristols 38-31 loss away to Gloucester in the Premiership Cup and the Women's convincing opening league victory against Wasps. We look ahead to the next leag...

Ep123 - Bears win Cardiff friendly and prepare for South Africa

In this week's show we discuss Bristol Bears 31-12 friendly win against Cardiff at Ashton Gate.  Hear our thoughts on the game, performances and the match day announcer! We then look ahead to Thursday's big Game against a South Africa XV at a sold out Ashton Gate. Find out who we think will play against the Boks and why it is so important the off-pitch experience is good for first time visitors to the Gate. We also think about the Team Pat will send to Gloucester in the Premiership Cup a me...

Ep122 - Bears fail to set the world alight in defeat to Sarries

In this week's show we just have to get a few things off our chests. It is a "Gets My Goat" special after a night to forget at Ashton Gate. Bristol fell to a 25-10  defeat against Saracens in what was billed as a "Fireworks Spectacular". But much like the promised pyrotechnics, the Bears failed to ignite on the night as our losing streak continues. Hear our thoughts on the tactics, excuses and player performances. We also look ahead to the friendly against Cardiff, discuss the performances...

Ep121 - Halloween horror show at Saints and Sarries up next!

In this week's show the boys take a look ad the disappointing defeat at Franklin's Gardens. After a promising opening 10 minutes the Bears conceded 38 points without reply and eventually lost 45-31 to Northampton Saints. Just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong on a day to forget that included injuries to Joyce, Piutau and Capon. Hear our thoughts on the tactics, selections and player performances.  We also look ahead to the visit of Saracens to the Gate on Bonfire Night and...

Ep120 - Bath beaten in the Premiership Cup and Kyle extends his Bristol contract

In this week's show we discuss the 29-0 victory against Bath in the Premiership Cup. Harry Thacker helped himself to a hat trick as an experienced Bristol team overwhelmed Bath at the Rec. We also look forward to the next league game away at Northampton Saints and give our thoughts on selections and score predictions. In a busy week off the pitch we discuss the news that Kyle Sinckler has extended his Bristol contract, our surprise about Dan Thomas's hastily arranged loan to Scarlets and t...