Gloucester Rugby began their 2022/23 Premiership Cup campaign with a bonus point victory over holders Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm.

What happened?

The Cherry & Whites dominated the opening stages of the first half and scored two early tries in the first 15 minutes. First, Jack Reeves crossed in the corner after some neat offloads in midfield got Gloucester to within 5 metres. Out-side half George Barton curled in the conversion from out wide.

There was no rest for Worcester. A penalty given away on halfway allowed Barton to kick the hosts into the corner. After an initial drive, Arthur Clark scored to extend the Gloucester lead. Barton added the extras from almost the same spot he had converted from five minutes earlier.

However, Worcester grew into the game and crossed through two tries of their own through Harri Doel and Finn Theobald-Thomas. Charlie Titcombe added both conversions to level the scores at the break.

Gloucester were also reduced to fourteen men for the last ten minutes when flanker Jack Clement was sent to the sin-bin.

Half-time: Gloucester 14-14 Worcester Warriors.

The opening ten minutes of the second-half started as the first had ended, with Worcester threatening the Gloucester line. But, the Cherry & Whites defence stood firm and survived the early pressure.

Back up to a full compliment when Clement returned to the field after his yellow card, Gloucester found some holes in the Warriors defence, first through Giorgi Kveladze and then through Jake Polledri.

Reeves added his second of the day on the 50th minute to retake the lead for Gloucester and Clement crossed for the bonus point try. George Barton maintained his 100% record off the tee by landing both conversions.

Tom Seabrook added the 5th for Gloucester as they opened up a twenty point gap with quarter of an hour remaining.

Worcester were trying desperately to stay in the game and scored a second try from a cross field kick through Alex Wills.

Any hopes of a comeback were dashed when the Cherry & Whites immediately replied with a score of their own through Freddie Thomas. The second row rounded off the game by adding his second and Gloucesters seventh try of the day.

Full-Time: Gloucester Rugby 49-21 Worcester Warriors.

Next Up

Gloucester Rugby return to Gallagher Premiership action on Saturday as they travel to Saracens (24 September, KO 3pm). The Premiership Cup resumes next Wednesday when Bath host the Cherry & Whites in a West County derby. (28 September, KO 7:45pm).

The next home game at Kingsholm will see Worcester return to Gloucester in the Gallagher Premiership (1 October, KO 3pm).

Tickets for the next home game can be purchased here.

Youthful Gloucester Rugby side defeat Worcester 49-21

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