Russell scored five conversions and two penalties as Bath dominated the second half at Kingsholm. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan Gloucester 27 Bath 45
Bath were 10 points behind at half-time in this fast-paced West Country derby. The visitors led by 18 by the 64th minute, having produced a phenomenal second-half revival to score 28 unanswered points to give them a bonus-point victory and a place top of the Premier League table – for now.
It was by no means ideal for Johan van Graan's side, but the ruthless, frenetic manner in which Bath stifled and stifled Gloucester in the second half – with the back row and substitute Tom du Toit at the helm – delighted the South African chief. rugby. Their swagger was perhaps best summed up by the way Finn Russell motioned for the fans at the Shad to be quiet after he added the conversion to Will Muir's try.
“It was the best we had,” Van Graan said. “But we will stand on our own two feet. We, as a club, do not hope that we will achieve a result, we believe that it will happen. And Thomas, along with Beno Obano and Will Stewart, was superb up close to the ruck.”
Gloucester with the ball was a completely different proposition than without it. The home side, now on a three-match losing streak, did well but were physically destroyed by Bath's baton in defence, especially in the second half. Oddly enough, the best player on the field wore a cherry and white uniform. Santiago Carreras epitomized courage and class, making two tackles – Miles Reid and Joe Cocanasiga – along with other flashes of brilliance.
Shhhing the Shed🤫
Finn Russell is a brave man on his first visit to Kingsholm 👀
Watch live on @rugbyontnt 📺 #GallagherPrem | #GLovBAT | @BathRugby pic.twitter.com/t7UwbgjiDK
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) November 10, 2023
“[What happened in the second half] is a very good question,” said George Skivington, Gloucester’s director of rugby. “I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t have one. This is definitely a concern. Coaches and players need to take a look at ourselves and make sure we are communicating. Something is missing. I’m a little speechless.”
Despite long-term absences from Zach Mercer and Adam Hastings, Gloucester were buoyed by the return of their entire World Cup squad for round 23 and came out of the blocks at a sold-out Kingsholm Stadium. .
Jonny May made a stunning break to touch the ball at home for the first time this season. Moments later, the England striker linked up beautifully with Carreras and the Argentine defender, who played as a striker for Los Pumas at the World Cup, fed Chris Harris, who was dragged several meters away. Bath captain Ben Spencer was caught offside and cornered. George Barton scored the first three points after England prop Stewart – on his first start in Bath this season – failed a subsequent scrum.
Bath overcame the sin spell with aplomb, maintaining a tight attack and half-back Russell's devilish sleight of hand took Max Ojomo out of play before Gloucester were ruled offside on their line. Russell then converted a simple chance to level the score.
Ironically, it was upon Spencer's return that Bath made a mistake. Carreras and Barton combined for Gloucester, with Harris taking the lead. The Scottish center was initially denied an overlap, but missed and fired past Spencer for the first try of the game.
Ironically, it was on Spencer's return that Bath made the mistake. Carreras and Barton combined for Gloucester, with Harris taking the lead. The Scottish center was initially denied an overlap but missed and fired past Spencer to score the first try of the game.
However, Carreras' brilliant moment at Cocanasig did little to dampen Bath's spirit. Spencer and Sam Underhill had barely returned Albert Tuis to their line when Ollie Lawrence – on his first appearance of the season in Bath – drove through Barton and Stephen Varney to score. Russell's appeal ended the trial.
Ollie Lawrence celebrates Bath's sixth try with a goal. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
Gloucester's phase play, particularly in the first half, looked as fluid and crisp as it has been all season. As a result, May was stopped two meters early as Carreras casually moved into the corner. The Argentine converted his score from the touchline.
Prepared to bounce back, Bath repeated Gloucester's first-half opening by throwing the kitchen sink at the hosts. The problem, with a 10-point deficit, was Gloucester's defensive confidence. But eventually the dam broke.
Given his skill, it was cruel that it was Carreras who kicked and kicked Muir to score the goal. The Bath striker burst down the left flank and finished in the corner. Russell transformed, putting a finger to his mouth to calm a loud-mouthed Shed on the way back to the restart.
Momentum was quickly shifting in Bath's favor. Du Toit, the South African international, came off the bench with purpose, won a penalty and slotted home from close range to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
Gloucester was in trouble and May's flanking maneuvers did not help. Bath swarmed England's flank and later, in a penalty contest, Obano matched Du Toit's goal. A penalty followed for a collapsed pier, and the situation really changed.
Matias Alemanno struck from close range to spice up the final, but it was too little, too late for the hosts. Lawrence's second kill ensured the Bath hit was complete.
Match details
Gloucester: S. Carreras; J. May, K. Harris, S. Atkinson, O. Thorley; J. Barton, S. Varney; M. Vivas, J. McGuigan, F. Balmain, F. Clarke, M. Alemanno, J. Clement, L. Ludlow (c), A. Tuisu. Replacements: S. Sosino, J. Ford-Robinson, K. Gotovtsev, F. Thomas, B. Donnell, M. Young, M. Llewellyn, L. Rees-Zammit.
Banya: T. de Glanville; J. Kokanasiga, O. Lawrence, M. Ojomo, W. Muir; F. Russell, B. Spencer (c); B. Obano, T. Dunn, W. Stewart, F. Lee-Warner, K. Ewels, M. Read, S. Underhill, A. Barberi. Replacements: N. Annett, J. Schumann, T. Du Toit, J. McNally, J. Coetzee, T. Carr-Smith, S. Harris, M. Gallagher.
Referee: M. Carley< /p>
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