Late scoring blitz by Gloucester sees off Bath
Gloucester climbed to third in the Gallagher Premiership after claiming a bonus-point 29-15 victory over west country rivals Bath at Kingsholm. Bath’s recent Premiership resurgence came to a grinding halt as they were outscored 4-0 on tries.
Full-back Jason Woodward, flanker Freddie Clarke, number eight Johan Ackermann and replacement lock Gerbrandt Grobler all crossed the whitewash, with Billy Twelvetrees kicking two conversions and Danny Cipriani one, while Twelvetrees added a late penalty.
Bath relied on five Rhys Priestland penalties for all their points, but they lost a three-point advantage when Gloucester hit them with two converted touch downs in rapid succession midway through the second half. It saw Gloucester overtake Sale Sharks and move into the top three, and Bath could have few complaints after offering little attacking spark apart from an occasional burst by England centre Jonathan Joseph.
Woodward made a first appearance since mid-November for Gloucester, but number eight Ben Morgan was sidelined due to injury and wing Louis Rees-Zammit failed a late fitness test, which meant former Bath player Matt Banahan replacing him on the bench.
Bath fielded an all-international back-row of Francois Louw, Sam Underhill and Taulupe Faletau together for the first time – injuries had mainly prevented it previously happening – and scrum-half Chris Cook replaced Will Chudley.
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Bath enjoyed early territory and possession, but they were rocked when Gloucester scored from their first attack after five minutes. Gloucester skipper Willi Heinz’s pass found lock Franco Mostert space, and when he was held up, Woodward touched down from close range and Cipriani landed the touchline conversion.
Priestland opened Bath’s account with a penalty four minutes later, and he then cut the gap to a point with a second strike after Cipriani missed a straightforward penalty chance. Bath, though, should have been further ahead, but England wing Anthony Watson passed to Faletau when an outside ball to an unmarked Louw would have given the South African an unopposed run-in.
Priestland completed a penalty hat-trick in the 22nd minute, but neither side could make sustained headway after that as errors abounded during a scruffy and scrappy second quarter, with Bath taking a 9-7 interval lead.
? IN THE NEWS
Billy Twelvetrees spoke to @samrobertsrugby & @RugbyPass in a nothing short of fascinating interview. ?
Enjoy ? https://t.co/7FTRdWs0w4
— Gloucester Rugby ? (@gloucesterrugby) December 11, 2019
It took Gloucester just five minutes of the second period to go back in front, and it was their forwards that did the damage. They battered away at Bath’s line, and Clarke emerged from underneath a pile of bodies to claim the try, although Cipriani sent an easy conversion attempt wide.
And he was punished for that blunder when Priestland kicked a fourth successful penalty, making it 12-12 with just over 30 minutes left. Gloucester’s poor discipline continued to give Priestland chances, and his fifth penalty from six attempts put Bath back in front.
Gloucester were not helped at times by some indecisive work from Cipriani, particularly with the ball in hand, yet their pack continued to make headway. And their third try arrived in the 58th minute when substitute lock Grobler worked his way over, and Twelvetrees – who replaced Cipriani as kicker – added the conversion for a four-point advantage.
But it was only the start of Bath’s troubles, as Gloucester hit them with another try four minutes later, with Ackermann crossing and Twelvetrees kicking the touchline conversion attempt.
Bath were knocked out of their stride by Gloucester’s scoring blitz, and it remained one-way traffic during the closing stages as the home side warmed up impressively for a return to Heineken Champions Cup action next weekend when they host Montpellier.
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
50 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
50 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
50 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
50 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
50 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
50 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
50 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments