The youngsters crossed in the second half of a thudding west country derby that lurched from one side to another in front of an entralled sell-out at Kingsholm.

Gloucester's 24-19 victory was forged in the furnace of a forward effort that edged Bath in the key departments. Both the line-outs and the scrums were one large public order issue throughout, but in the crashing yardage produced by Peter Buxton, the supersonic work-rate of Andy Hazell and the composure of Mefin Davies, Gloucester got the better of Bath when it mattered.

They were led terrifically by Marco Bortolami at lock and shaped by Willie Walker at stand-off, which was no mean achievement in his first Premiership start for the club.

Bath, fortified by some outstanding contributions from Danny Grewcock and Lee Mears, hit back in the last quarter with such ferocity, that they came within a single try of pegging the hosts back, but in the end Gloucester got the four points they desired and deserved.

Bath got the perfect start after three minutes when Olly Barkley landed a penalty following pushing at a line-out, but Walker soon had Gloucester level with three points of his own after the hosts had sustained an attack through James Forrester, Peter Richards and Anthony Allen.

Once Gloucester had settled, they managed their game better than Bath. They kicked well in the conditions, forcing Bath to run possession back and kept their discipline better in the contact areas.

After Walker had landed a 30th minute penalty, Bath lost their skipper Steve Borthwick when he clattered into Walker and then Michael Stephenson was yellow carded for blocking Peter Richards following another searching break.

But Gloucester led only 12-6 at the break after Barkley had slotted another penalty when Bortolami was penalised for not rolling away in the tackle.

However, the contest swung immediately after the re-start. Iain Balshaw, who had suffered an ankle injury, was replaced by Jack Adams and the young centre, out of position on the wing, produced a moment that sent Kingsholm into orbit.

Richards and Alex Brown were heavily involved in the initial move and when possession swung back to the right, Richards linked with Walker, Allen found Davies who in turn got James Forrester moving. The number eight linked with Adams, who broke inside the cover, stepped the defence and slid over to score a wonderful try from 30 metres.

It took Gloucester 19-6 ahead but hearts started to flutter again when Borthwick stole a Gloucester line-out close to the line and Grewcock thumped home close to the touchline.

If ever Gloucester needed a reminder of how dangerous Bath could be that was it and they responded with another superb try.

Again Richards and Walker were involved and so was Hazell, who blasted down the right. Gloucester had created room on the left and Brown and Buxton combined to send Morgan over in the left corner.

There was still time for Grewcock to round off another punishing move sustained by Barkley and Ryan Davies with 11 minutes left and suddenly Bath were within touching distance. The deficit became even shorter when Barkley landed a 74th minute penalty to make it 24-19, but Gloucester ground out the last remaining minutes to claim four cherished Premiership points and the perfect start.