Bristol, battered for half time, put an end to the European course at Bordeaux-Bègles on Friday, beaten after extra time (37-20 AD) this Friday evening in England, in the semi-final of the European Rugby Challenge.
In the final, the Bears will face the winner of the match between Toulon and the English Leicester on Saturday.
He therefore did not lack much for UBB, a novice like his opponent at this level of competition, to achieve his dream.
Just a little fuel - Bordeaux was playing its third game of the season - and freshness during extra time that Christophe Urios' men went to get after suffering a big blow from the bamboo in the second act.
In this additional money-time, they cracked twice on two well-crafted attempts by O'Conor (81st) and Malins (86th), without succeeding, despite a great debauchery of energy, to find on their side the promised land.
Pity.
Their regrets will be many, especially after their first half perfectly controlled, in the wake of Matthieu Jalibert who once again displayed his talent under the eyes of England coach Eddie Jones.
In the relay of Woki, the international opener unlocked the score after an axial race over more than 40 m with an overflow framing at full speed dropping the rear Malins (11th).
Disconcerted, the Bears also struggled in the battle of the rucks against effective Girondins collecting two penalties successful by Jalibert to lead 13-0 (30th).
The Unionist defense, intense and organized, resisted effectively before a few faults put Bristol, much less sharp than in the quarterfinals against the Dragons (56-17), on the right track.
The Fijian and ex-Bordelais Semi Radradra, passed during the offseason in the opposing camp and so far taken in the marking by Dubié, created and exploited a surplus for a test without opposition from Luatua (7-13).
The beginning of a black hole for the Bordelais, yet superior to the resumption following a yellow card addressed to Radradra but who, by losing Jalibert to injury, also seemed to lose their rugby.
From then on, the English, with much better intentions, put the UBB back and easily found the fault thanks to a brilliant pass from Randall to Malins (51st).
Worse, the Bordeaux indiscipline was immediately punished by two penalties that Sheedy was happy to pass (20-13, 62nd).
This 20-0 conceded could have been crippling.
This was not the case with the entry of new blood from the Girondins side, in particular Roumat and Dweba, decisive on one of the rare highlights after a laser pass from Lesgourgues (67th), synonymous with overtime.
But this was, ultimately, too much for the Bordelais.
Read also
Challenge Cup: calendar and results