IT takes a big man to admit defeat, and they don't come much bigger or more honest than Sedgley Park player-coach, Tim Fourie, who described Bristol's 62-9 demolition of his side as: "Phenomenal."

Ever the optimist, Fourie was still able to take one or two positives from the game.

"Firstly, they didn't score 100 against us!" he said.

"But their sheer speed tore us apart. Their back three are exceptionally quick and thankfully we won't face the like of that again this season.

"Where Plymouth are strong up front, but ultimately one dimensional, Bristol just hit you with speed from everywhere.

"Even down to 13 men we couldn't get over their line.

"We had plenty of opportunities. Richard Welding got an interception just outside our own 22, but both their wingers caught up with him after they gave him a 15 metre start.

"He was very disappointed not to score, but he was let down by the rest of us because no one went with him, we all thought he was away. But you can't take anything for granted in this game, especially against the likes of Bristol."

Defeat, however, was softened by words of encouragement from Shoguns' coach, former England scrum-half Richard Hill.

"He told me that they always play with the wind down the hill the first half when they are at home because usually by half-time they have already won it as a contest.

"But against us they were only leading 17-9 at half-time and they were concerned, and he reckoned we are not far off becoming a very difficult side to beat.

"But then we switched off mentally and they took full advantage. Their support play and ball retention was second to none, and their handling the last 20 minutes was impeccable.

"We did ourselves proud for 60 minutes but then they were absolutely phenomenal and we were beaten by a far better team.

"We have now seen what we have to reproduce if we are to be a force in this division. They play a similar game to us except they play it much better."

New signing, lock Louis Holtzhausen, is due to arrive on Sunday morning, and if all goes well he will be on the bench for the Henley game on January 29.