Tom de Glanville scores two tries as Bath inflict more misery on Gloucester
Full-back Tom de Glanville scored two tries as Gallagher Premiership title contenders Bath returned to winning ways by beating west country rivals Gloucester 17-10 at the Recreation Ground.
It took Bath up to third in the table as they recovered from a New Year’s Eve loss against Leicester.
De Glanville struck in each half, while there was also a touchdown for wing Will Muir, with fly-half Finn Russell adding one conversion.
Bath will require a considerable improvement when they host French heavyweights Racing 92 in the Investec Champions Cup next weekend, but they still got the job done without remotely finding top gear.
Gloucester’s ninth successive Premiership defeat – their worst run of league results in the competition’s history – came after they led 10-5 at half-time following a Ruan Ackermann try, plus a conversion and penalty from fly-half Adam Hastings.
But a losing bonus-point will provide scant consolation, especially as they finished the game strongly and caused Bath plenty of problems.
Gloucester made a strong start and were ahead after seven minutes following a quickly-taken penalty by their forwards that resulted in Ackermann claiming the touchdown and Hastings converting.
The visitors, 16 points behind Bath in the Premiership before kick-off, did not lack confidence, and wing Jonny May sparked a flowing move that was only halted when Ackermann’s pass drifted forward.
Bath’s first threat of the game followed a knock-on by Gloucester full-back Santiago Carreras, with hooker Tom Dunn being stopped just short of the line.
Wing Joe Cokanasiga then had a chance, but he spilled possession within sight of Gloucester’s line, yet Bath finally broke through nine minutes before the interval.
Centre Ollie Lawrence made initial headway before a brilliant De Glanville pass freed Muir, who then fed the ball inside to his full-back for an outstanding try.
Russell could not convert, and Gloucester ended the half with a five-point lead when Hastings landed a 40-metre penalty, leaving their hosts with plenty to think about.
But Bath needed just 57 seconds of the second period to go ahead as Muir marked his 50th game for the club through an opportunist try.
He had limited space to work in, but when covering Gloucester scrum-half Caolan Englefield failed to clear, Muir gather a kind bounce and crossed unopposed, with Russell’s conversion putting Bath ahead for the first time.
They looked to have extended their advantage shortly afterwards, but after referee Christophe Ridley initially awarded a try for flanker GJ van Velze, it was then ruled out for unclear grounding.
Gloucester’s cause was not helped by Carreras being yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, yet outstanding defence continued to thwart Bath entering the final quarter.
Bath, though, broke through following a flowing move that saw centre Lawrence find De Glanville, and he cut back inside to finish in style, giving the full-back his second try.
Gloucester laid siege inside Bath’s 22 during the closing minutes as they tried to salvage a draw, but a handling error cost them dear and the home side moved back upfield, the victory secured.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments