Gibson hat-trick inspires Bristol

Colin Charvis expected a backlash in Bristol

Heineken Cup - Pool Four
Bristol Shoguns 41-23 Swansea

Bristol avenged last week's defeat in Swansea in spectacular style with a crushing demolition of the Welshmen.

The Memorial Stadium side, who are still in with a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, burst into action with a try after 26 seconds.

Centre Daryl Gibson surged his way through the midfield to catch Swansea unaware and score.

Australian fly-half Shane Drahm kicked the conversion before adding a further three penalties.

Match details

Bristol (26) 41
Tries: Gibson (3), Higgins, Pichot
Cons: Drahm (2)
Pens: Drahm (4)

Swansea (3) 23
Tries: Henson, Farley, A Thomas
Cons: A Thomas
Pens: Henson, A Thomas

Att: 4,327

Gibson was then on the scoreboard again.

Bristol repeatedly attacked Swansea's defence before the ball finally went out to the right wing for Gibson to dive over.

Drahm again converted and added a fourth penalty.

Gavin Henson registered Swansea's only first-half score with a 16th minute penalty, and Bristol headed into the break with a 26-3 advantage.

Bristol continued to dominate the early part of the second half and after just one minute centre Andrew Higgins touched down thanks to a clever kick through by Drahm.

Brendon Daniel tests the Swansea defence

Soon after, Gibson completed his hat-trick.

Bristol won a lineout on the five-metre line and the ball was recycled several times before Gibson spotted space to cut through the defence.

Argentine scrum-half Agustin Pichot touched down for the home side's fifth try thanks to a break by full-back Lee Best.

Swansea saved their blushes late in the second-half with tries by Henson, Andrew Farley and substitute Arwel Thomas.

Thomas also added a penalty and a conversion, but the visitors late comeback could not take the shine off Bristol's dominance.

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Bristol: L Best; D Rees, A Higgins, D Gibson, P Christophers; S Drahm, A Pichot; D Crompton, P Johnstone, J White, G Archer, A Brown, M Salter, R Oakley, R Beattie.
Reps: A Sheridan, S Morgan, S Nelson, B Sturnham, P Richards, M Carrington, J Williams.

Swansea: S Payne; R Rees, M Taylor, S Gibbs, M Robinson; G Henson, S Cordingley; D Morris (capt), C Balshen, B Evans, J Slade, A Farley, C Charvis, J Bater, D Thomas.
Reps: C Wells, D Dorsey, J Thomas, R Francis, R Jones, A Thomas, S Winn.

Ref: Simon McDowell (Ireland).