Super Sonics ...

18JAN09 - Unbeaten divisional winners, and RLC Team of The Year, Bristol Sonics got their hands on the iconic Carnegie Challenge Cup before the start of the first ever Rugby League trophy game to be played in Bristol ...

... However, any hopes of progressing further in the competition were dashed following a 8-52 defeat at the hands of National Student Champions Leeds Metropolitan University ...

A healthy crowd of local enthusiasts, including Welsh rugby legend Clive Griffiths, saw the Sonics eventually outclassed in a very muddy, full blooded and entertaining encounter.

Though on paper very much the underdogs, the Bristol side, inspired by the tradition and history of Rugby League's most famous competition, shocked their visitors with an early score from Sonics' stalwart Tom Curtis.

The early setback seemed to spark Leeds Met University into life ... they began their attack in earnest. Fifteen minutes into the game they took the lead away from the Sonics and, despite a second score from Curtis a short time later, the home side were trailing 8-24 by half-time.

After the break, with both sides finding the playing conditions difficult to deal with, it was the experience and fitness of the students in green that proved to be the crucial factor running out 8-52 winners by the final whistle.

Despite the loss, Bristol coach Karl Fearnley was proud of his charges' efforts. He said: "I can't criticize the lads at all today. We were beaten by a better side but gave it everything for 80 minutes. I'd like to congratulate Leeds Met on a deserved victory and wish them all the best in the next round. To have had a chance to test ourselves against such an accomplished side will be a great learning experience for us."

Despite a spirited defence Bristol Sonics could do little to stem the flow of points from National Student Champions Leeds Metropolitan University ...

Action photos (c) Alan McAteer