Bears Beyond The Gate

The lads are back for another season. They whip through news and updates from the off season, briefly review the first Prem Cup game and then give their thoughts, hopes and opinions on the season ahead. Is this the year? Join Pete, Lee and Miles for cheeky beer and a bit of Bristol rugby banter... Let us know what you think!

In this last episode of yet another eventful but ultimately unsuccessful season we unashamedly put the stopwatch away and ramble on until we run out of gas. We chart our performances through the season and reminisce over the ups, the downs and the in betweens. It's actually quite a cathartic experience and leads us into a more wide ranging discussion about what coming 6th actually means both in terms of this season in particular and where we are as a club more generally. Squad size, salary spend, injuries, Academy progression, The Big Day Out and yes,. marketing, all get a mention. It feels like we put things to bed and tuck them up ready to go again in September. Thanks to all our listeners and followers for all your input especially those of you who make the effort to pen short, sharp summaries, poems and at times fantastic rants. We also appreciate meeting many of you face to face and it always makes us remember why we continue with this labour of love.... By fans, for fans! Stay stay safe, have a good summer and.... Up the Bears! Donate to 'Walk for Arthur' here: Let us know what you think!

We look back on the excellent victory vs TFDTR on Friday night a the Gate which was a fitting way to say good bye to the leavers as well as purge some of the Franklin’s Garden horror from the previous round. We admire the endeavour to bagel Bath in the second half and actually come back to win from 14 points behind - despite one or two heart-in-mouth moments - and revel in some excellent individual performances… Fitz Hardings broken hand bravery... BJVR’s confirmation that he is clearly one of the best centres in the League… Harry Thacker’s personification of the phrase ‘evergreen’… We also discuss some of the more general issues that the game raised and even feel obliged to admit that we thought Karl Dickson has a good game apart from getting hoodwinked by Ben Spencer who shamelessly ran down the clock during Arundel’s yellow card absence. We also find time for some more general chat about all things rugby and run through a number of shout-outs at the end including encouraging listeners to sign up to the ‘Fans to 5k’ fitness initiative which we are backing on behalf of Bristol Rugby. More details can be found here Let us know what you think!

It's a sombre pod and many things have already been said about Friday's chastening and record-breaking defeat against Saints across various platforms. There are lots of interrelated reasons why teams lose matches both contextual and in the heat of battle, but ultimately shipping that many points to a rival is almost impossible to comprehend let alone accept. How do you analyse a game like that? We do our best to try and put in into perspective and discuss some of the issues that it raises. Hopefully it is fair and balanced although we appreciate that everyone has their own opinions and that's absolutely fine. Although mathematically still possible it is fair to say that the hopes of a play-off spot are now swimming with the fishes but we do have a home game against Bath to look forward to in a couple of weeks. It is a chance for both players and fans alike to dig deep and try to purge the memory of Franklins Gardens. Lets get the Gate rocking and keep that home Prem win streak intact. We also remind everyone that the PWR will start again on May 30th with the Bears Women playing Chiefs at Shaftesbury Park. It is actually the last home game of the season but will be 'pink' themed in order to raise money for breast cancer aweeness and research so get yourself along. Up the wounded Bears! Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

In this week's episode, Pete, Lee and Miles discuss Bristol's dominant victory away at Newcastle. It was another welcome five points but it came at a cost with more injuries to contend with. On the postive side we have two weeks to recover and prepare for the vist of Saracens which will be the 'must wins' of must wins. Can we get that irritiating North London monkey off our back or will the Death Eaters suck the life out of us yet again. That said, at least it's not taking place on November 5th. We will never forget. Miles and Lee also report back from their experience watching the Red Roses beat a spirited Wales side and we then discuss more ideas for filling Ashton Gate including taking the flag idea to another level!Stay Stay safe, have a good week and up the Bears! Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

In this special preview episode Pete is joined by Rob from the Rosbifs Rugby pod. He gives us the lowdown on what to expect from Toulouse on Saturday. It's not particularly optimisitc but there are a few crumbs of comfort and who knows, stranger things have happened? Equally, or maybe even more importantly, the second half of the chat is all about what to do when you get out there this weekend including going to watch Colomiers vs Dax on Friday night as well as following his recommendations for places to eat, drink and be merry whatever the result! Marche Victor Hugo - classic French market: Click here for location La Voie Maltee - craft beer bottle shop for takeaways to enjoy by the river: Click here for location La Bierographe - bar for craft beer nerds: Click here for location Chez Tonton - Student bar by the river. A bit rowdy but a Toulouse institution: Click here for location The Hopscotch Pub - Scottish bar with beers brewed in house: Click here for location Little Big Bar - small bar with good beer and a decent mixed platter. Lots of restaurants on the same street: Click here for location Pub O'clock - next to Marche Victor Hugo. A big sports bar with good range of beers. Click here for location Le Dahu - Great value restaurant with traditional 3-course meal and amazing Dauphinoise potato. Click here for location Finally, Rosbifs Rugby favorite place - a small wine bar with generous pourings. Listen to the end of the pod to find out its name! Let us know what you think!

In a slight diversion from the norm Pete, Lee and Miles record live from The Philarmonic on St Mary's Street, Cardiff, both before and straight after the game. What a difference a few hours makes! You can only say what you think and the Thatchers fuelled pre-match expectation and optimism is countered by the harsh reality of the post-match result. If that doesn't remind anyone of the fickle nature of being a fan then we don't know what does! On further reflection we may think differently or we may double down on our initial thoughts. Who knows? But as always we try to give a balanced view on a game that we barely had time to process before hitting the record button. You may agree, disagree or not give a toss but either way it is what it is! Enjoy and up the Bears! Time stamps: 00:00 - 08:32 - Pre match chirpiness 08:33 - 18:00 - Post match reflection 18:01 - 18:45 - A small ray of sunshine - Look-a-like-cam? 18:46 - 23:30 - The debrief continues 23:31 - 25:06 - A positive listener viewpoint 25:07 - 26:30 - A random positve chat with Rob from Skewen RFC Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

We're back from our Six Nations hiatus with a round up of news from in and around the club as well turning our attention to the relatively happy hunting gound that is Welford Road as we re-start our quest to reach the Prem summit on Sunday. Running order: Injury updates Contract extensions New signings Big Day Out ticket sales Bears Women Matt Salter Prem Cup campaign pluses and minuses Tigers preview with a little help from BBC Leicester Tigers Rugby Show Poetry goat The end Let us know what you think!

The main event is the Jake Heenan interview where we chat to him about his rugby career which of course included seven years and over 100 appearances for Bristol Bears. We also discuss his relationship with Pat from his time as a youngster in the Auckland Blues Academy through to the title winning Connacht side of 2016 and finally his successful stint in Bristol. He provides great insight into the ups and downs of a pro rugby player but also demands recognition for the selfless way that he gave up his contract here in order to free up cap space for Tom Jordan and Louis Rees-Zamitt! Joking aside it was a very interesting 30 mins or so which we hope that listeners will enjoy. Prior to that we also discuss the recent Prem Cup games, the emergence of Bears players in England A and (and senior) squads (up the Klosk!) and reaffirm our belief that it was us who started the famous 'Gengey's coming home chant'. All that and more with Pete, Lee and Miles and a few cheeky beers provided by the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom via the ever generous Lewis. Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

Let us know what you think!

The band is back together again as the boys chat over the gritty, but not particularly pretty new year win over Sale. It was a chilly night at the Gate and the fortress was certainly tested but thankfully the drawbridge was raised in the 72nd minute when Kela Ravouvou scored the deciding try. Lying fourth at the mid point of the Prem season is probably better than we could have hoped for but we now seemed to have settled into a nice rhytmn with a level of physicality that is delivering results. Next up is a trip to the sunny High Veld and an appointment with the Vodacomm Bulls. There is a suspicion that the South Africans aren't massively keen on the Champions Cup so a victory in Pretoria would set things up nicely for the visit of Bordeaux Begles the following week. Lewis Rees-Zamit's contract extension is also discussed as is the suggestion that Moroni has the air of a Latino Henry Purdy. Join Pete, Miles and Lee for a cheeky beer and a bit of Bristol-related rugby banter... Let us know what you think!

It's a rough and ready one-take Zoom episode on account of one pod member sweating profusely half way round the world, and with no music intro, but the lads talk over the 'stuttery' win against Newcastle Red Bulls and briefly reminisce on the glory of Big Game 17 in London. They also discuss what this means for the visit of Sale next Friday and briefly look forward to the final European group games... They finish with a bit of AOB including a plug for both the 'Fan to 5K' initiative and the Bristol Bears Live Community WhatsApp group: @FansTo5K on all socials https://chat.whatsapp.com/L5qH2xiEyMBJdqspokkvUG Due to ongoing logistical challenges the next pod will be recorded on January 11th so HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone and thanks for your ongoing support... Made by fans for fans 🐻🏉👊 Let us know what you think!

Just like the BBC, the pod is here to inform, educate and entertain so we were delighted to chat with Rob Graham from the Rosbifs Rugby pod about all things Pau. He gives us an insight into this less fashionble club from the foot of the Pyrenees and predicts how they might shape up at Ashton Gate on Sunday. We also hear from Mark and Cameron from the Bears Supporters Advisory Committee who give us an update on their successes so far (getting rid of air guitar and pre match smoke for starters) and outlines how supporters cna get in touch with them. The club will listen to feedbacka and these boys are on a mission to provide it. So sit back, relax and listen to something slightly different to the norm. Let us know what you think!

In this episode we review the game against Scarlets. It looked like we were cruising at 12-0 up with more points to come but the home side had other ideas and put in a proper shift to take us to the wire. We discuss the reasons why this might have happened as well as hear the thoughts of some listeners. Equally as importantly the game marked the first BBTG road trip of the season so we also review activities that took place off the pitch and as well as on it. Suffice to say we tried to squeeze as much out of Llanelli as we could and had a thoroughly good time despite the weather, the lack of any discernable taxi infrastructure and a poor decision to go to the Red Cow. We briefly look forward to the next game against Section Paloise or 'Pau' as they are also known (although we also hope to get more insight next week with a special 'edu-pod' on Wednesday) and finish off by making a spirited defence of the claim by some loyal listeners that we have sold our souls to the devil for the price of a bobble hat. All this and more with Pete, Lee and Miles live from the Bristol Beer Factory Taproom. Let us know what you think!