Pearce savours rare satisfaction

After a wretched week, six penalties from Felipe Contepomi and the Memorial Ground's highest attendance this season gave Bristol owner Malcolm Pearce a rare moment of satisfaction on Saturday. Pearce, who has invested more than £5million in Bristol in 30 months since he rescued them from extinction, dropped a bombshell in midweek when he threatened to pull the plug on his continued involvement.

Pearce had threatened to quit after a string of poor home attendances and lack of progress in negotiations with landlords Bristol Rovers FC over proposals for shared ownership of the stadium. However, by Friday talks with Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford had produced hopeful signs on the ground-sharing front and 24 hours later a crowd of 6,781 urged Bristol to their first derby win against Gloucester, thanks largely to Contepomi - who kicked all of Bristol's points in their 18-9 win.