Gloucester Rugby were pipped by two points in a 16-14 loss to Bath in the West Country derby.
What happened
It was a close, low scoring encounter with both sides being shown red cards over the course of the game on the damp, cold evening.
Gloucester Rugby made things hard for themselves as Val Rapava-Ruskin was red carded for leading with his elbow 10 minutes into the game.
Despite being a man down, Gloucester Rugby led for much of the half and were playing the better rugby. Billy Twelvetrees kicked two penalties adding six points to the scoreboard.
Against the grain of play, Bath made a late attacking surge and made a break which resulted in Taulupe Faletau getting over for a try as the clock hit 40 minutes. Rhys Priestland’s conversion gave the hosts a one-point lead at the break.
Things were equally tight in the second half but it was Bath who put points on the board first through a Priestland penalty.
However, Bath were soon down to 14 men as well after Mike Williams was red carded for making a dangerous tackle on Kyle Moyle.
With both sides now evenly matched for players, the game got even tighter with neither side giving an inch.
At the 60 minute mark, Gloucester Rugby put in a massive defensive effort on their try line to stop a Bath try but before too long Priestland had extended the hosts' lead through a further penalty.
The Cherry and Whites were next to score and hit back through a penalty of their own before Lewis Ludlow got over the try line to put Gloucester Rugby ahead. With just minutes on the clock it looked like the Cherry and Whites could edge the win but a late penalty for Bath saw Priestland slot a kick from 45m out to take the two point win.
Key moment – Lewis Ludlow try
Gloucester Rugby were building momentum and were hurdling their way towards the try line. Louis Rees-Zammit refused to be brought down and kept the attack alive which led to a break which saw Chris Harris whip the ball out to Lewis Ludlow to go over in the right hand corner.
What’s next?
Gloucester Rugby are back in action next Saturday when they host Worcester Warriors at Kingsholm in Round 11 of the Gallagher Premiership.
Priestland slots the penalty.
Just past the halfway line. He's going for the kick.
LUDLOW!!! He's scored! And Jonathan Joseph has been yellow carded for the deliberate knock on.
Twelvetrees slots the kick. Moyle is off for Barton.
Twelvetrees calls for the tee.
Bath knock the ball on after Varney fires the ball into the air.
Varney is on for Heinz.
A try saving tackle from Freddie Clarke.
Have Bath scored here?
Ackermann and Craig are off. Clarke and Atkins are on.
Priestland slots the kick.
Priestland lines up a shot at goal.
The Cherry and Whites have the lineout on halfway.
YES GLAWS!!! Great effort 5m from the line.
5m tap and go.
Some great defence from the Cherry and Whites to hold Bath up over the line.
5m out.
Socino is on for Walker
Priestland kicks the ball to touch.
Mike Williams red carded for a dangerous tackle on Moyle.
Bath could be in serious trouble here. TMO checking for a high tackle with no arms on Moyle involving two defenders.
Priestland slots the penalty.
Bath have the penalty though.
Gloucester Rugby are defending the try line and manage to stop Bath from getting over the line. The TMO is just having a check...
Bath knock the ball forward so Gloucester Rugby have the scrum.
A small error from Gloucester Rugby sees a try scoring opportunity missed. Bath have the scrum just inside their own half.
Twelvetrees puts in another great kick to touch. Gloucester Rugby lineout 10m out.
Gloucester Rugby win the lineout and are attacking well.
Jamal Ford-Robinson is on for Balmain.
Priestland slots the conversion.
Bath Rugby make a break and Taulupe Faletau gets over to score for the hosts.
Moyle makes a break but the offload doesn't quite stick. Bath have the lineout on their 22.
Great work from the Cherry and Whites 5m from their own line at the scrum.
Some good attack from the hosts who kick through and Spencer makes a break. Heinz takes the ball over the line so Bath will have the 5m scrum.
Some great play from Gloucester Rugby. Zammit was hit hard by Rokoduguni, who's gone off injured, but wasn't held so kept attacking. Gloucester Rugby got within inches but we come back for the 5m scrum.
Another penalty from Bath. Gloucester Rugby lineout 15m out.
Great defence from Gloucester Rugby. Bath are penalised at the breakdown and Twelvetrees fires another great kick to touch.
Twelvetrees nails the kick.
Some great attack from the Cherry and Whites. The Bath defence is penalised again so Twelvetrees lines up a kick at goal.
That's an incredible kick from Twelvetrees! He's put Gloucester Rugby 6m out.
Twelvetrees fires the ball to touch and the Cherry and Whites will have the lineout.
Twelvetrees slots the kick and Gloucester Rugby take the lead.
Bath offside. Gloucester Rugby have the penalty, Twelvetrees calls for the tee.
Gloucester Rugby were attacking well but Priestland came flying out of the line. After looking, it's been deemed a knock on so the Cherry and Whites will have the scrum.
The Cherry and Whites force Bath onto their own try line. Priestland clears the ball but Gloucester Rugby will have the lineout on the 22.
Alex Seville is on for Tom Seabrook who comes off as we need a prop in the scrum after the red card.
Heinz puts in a good box kick to clear the lines.
Val Rapava-Ruskin has been red carded for leading with the elbow.
There are some big, BIG, carries coming in from the Cherry and Whites. There will be some sore bodies in the morning...
Twelvetrees puts boot to ball but Bath call the mark so will have the kick.
Some good play from Gloucester Rugby but Thorley is forced to touch out wide so Bath have the lineout on halfway.
Matavesi kicks the ball straight out so Gloucester Rugby have the lineout.
Bath steal the ball back and start a game of kick tennis which will end with a Gloucester Rugby lineout on the halfway line.
Gloucester Rugby win the free kick at the first scrum but now they've knocked it on so Bath will have the put in.
Bath knock the ball on so the Cherry and Whites get the scrum.
We're underway! Rhys Priestland gets us underway.
Not long now.
Jason Woodward has failed a late fitness test and will be replaced by Kyle Moyle.
Not long to go now.
Lewis Ludlow spoke to the media ahead of tonight's derby. Here's what he had to say...
George Skivington spoke to the press earlier on in the week. Here's what he had to say.
Gloucester Rugby have arrived at The Rec and are all set for the West Country derby. We're set to keep you up to date with all the action this evening as the Cherry and Whites go up against the Blue Black and Whites.
This fixture is historically a cracker and with kick off at 19:45, there's no better way of spending your Friday evening than watching a good, old fashioned derby.