Gloucester Rugby trailed 7-9 after a frustrating first 40 minutes at Kingsholm, but delighted the home crowd with a barnstorming second half to clinch a bonus point 29-15 Gallagher Premiership win over local rivals Bath Rugby on Saturday.
There’s no sweeter victory than one over your biggest rivals, and this one was achieved over a very strong Bath side. But this was certainly a game of two halves!
After an ideal start, Jason Woodward forcing his way over for a fourth minute try after a fine break from Franco Mostert, the rest of the half was a frustrating one for the Cherry and Whites as possession was lost on a frequent basis.
Bath, on the other hand, took the points when they were on offer and three penalties from Rhys Priestland gave the visitors a 7-9 lead at half time.
However, the momentum changed at the start of the second half and Gloucester Rugby, backed by a vociferous home crowd, started to tick over nicely.
Freddie Clarke powered his way over from close range to give Gloucester Rugby a narrow 12-9 lead, but Priestland promptly levelled the scores with his fourth penalty straight after the restart and then nudged Bath in front 12-15 with his fifth after 55 minutes.
Jake Polledri chose that moment to demonstrate how powerful he can be with ball in hand, as his burst led to Gerbrandt Grobler crashing over and, two minutes later, Polledri was prominent against as Ruan Ackermann scored the bonus point try.
At 26-15, Gloucester Rugby had taken the game by the scruff of the neck and, although Bath threatened sporadically, the home defence was determined to keep its line intact and the only further score was a 77th minute penalty from Billy Twelvetrees to make the final score 29-15.
The win takes Gloucester Rugby back up to third place in the Gallagher Premiership table, and nicely sets up next weekend’s European home fixture against Montpellier and, it goes without saying, sent their supporters home in good spirits.
Gloucester Rugby secure the bonus-point victory over Bath. Plenty to work on but what a result for the Cherry and Whites!
The winger has been electric today and makes significant ground in midfield. However, Bath are awarded a penalty which they kick deep into touch.
Twelvetrees uses all his time to run the clock down and adds the three points. Only a few minutes on the clock now.
The Cherry and Whites area awarded a penalty and Twelvetrees has the tee on and will go for goal.
Replacing Ciriani, Williams comes on and makes an immediate impact. He's pulling the strings in attack and is passing the ball with pressision and pace.
Gloucester Rugby have really warmed to the game and are trying things in attack.
Woodward is on fire and there is plenty of space out wide for the wingers to explore.
Things go wrong at the scrum once again. Bath have the lineout but Cipriani strips the ball in midfield, giving the Cherry and Whites possession in the Bath half.
Ackermann bursts through a gap and strides towards the line. He's brought down just short and Bath will have the scrum but the Cherry and Whites are really putting on the pressure.
Both sides empty their benches.
Former Gloucester Rugby player Freddie Burns comes on the pitch and is given a Kingshol welcome!
The ball is dislodged from Bath hands and booted down the field. Gloucester Rugby take control and force Bath into another error. The Cherry and Whites will have the lineout on halfway.
Bath are building phases in the GLoucester Rugby 22.
Bath pressure Gloucester Rugby back to their try line but the Cherry and Whites set up a strong exit strategy and boot the ball down the field.
Twelvetrees adds the extras.
What a try!
Gloucester Rugby really building momentum. Ruan Ackermann forces his way over the line and scores the Cherry and Whites bonus point try!
Gloucester Rugby turn the ball over and are immediately putting pressure back on the Bath defence. Thorley comes within inches of scoring.
Twelvetrees nails the conversion to extend the Cherry and White lead.
The TMO has awarded it! Grobler comes on the field and immediately makes an impact, bursting over the line for the score. Come on Gloucester Rugby!
Kingsholm thought it was a try. Let's have a check on the TMO.
Jonathan Joseph made a break through the Gloucester Rugby line but Foley has brought play back and has awarded the Cherry and Whites the penalty.
Priestland slots the kick and Bath take a very narrow lead.
Both sides letting themselves down in that period of play.
Gloucester Rugby give away another penalty and Bath's McNally throws the ball into touch...
Unfortunately for the Cherry and Whites we go back to the penalty.
Great work from Gloucester Rugby who steal the ball at Bath's lineout. Gloucester have real momentum and are building some pressure.
Tom Marshall flies down the wing and the Cherry and Whites are building some real momentum.
However, Gloucester Rugby give away their 11th penalty of the game and let thier local rivals off the hook.
Priestland slots the kick to make the score even.
It's tense here at Kingsholm.
Really tense.
The Blue, Black and Whites are immediately back in the Gloucester Rugby red zone. Once again, Foley penalises Gloucester Rugby and Priestland will have an opportunity to add three points to the scoreboard.
The ball was not struck well and the score will not have the two extra points.
What a score!
From being on the back foot to attacking 5m out. Freddie Clarke wrestles his way over and puts his side ahead.
Bath whip the ball out wide but it is fumbled. Twelvetrees nearly intercepts it but Woodward manages to pick the ball up and make a break for the line.
Gloucester Rugby win the penalty and put together a strong sting of phases in attack.
Strong attack from the visitors. The Cherry and Whites are penalized and Bath fire the ball into touch. They have the line out deep in GLoucester Rugby territory.
Cipriani kicks us off and the ball is put deep into the Bath half.
This is close.
Every point will count.
Gloucester Rugby giving away too many penalties in that first half. Bath are only just ahead and it will be a mega second half.
Grab a drink and some food and join us again in a few minutes!
A silly knock-on from Gloucester Rugby brings the first half to a close.
Tom Foley really isn't liking the way Gloucester Rugby are scrummaging. However, in a repeat of what just happened to the Cherry and Whites, Priestland fails to make touch on the penalty and we come back to halfway for a Gloucester Rugby scrum.
The Cherry and WHotes win the penalty at the lineout but the ball fails to reach touch when it is kicked out. THe ball trickles over the deadball line, meaning we come back to halfway for the scrum to Bath.
Bath have all the possession. But the Cherry and Whites defence is strong and remains tight, meaning the blue, black and whites make little ground.
The Cherry and Whites win the ball but the international back row of Bath sees Underhill strip the ball from the breakdown.
Gloucester Rugby aren't getting any ball.
Great attack from the Cherry and Whites.
Thorley and Woodward attack well but once again they are penalised, giving Bath an easy opportunity to excape their 22.
What a waste. Another penalty goes against the Cherry and Whites.
Bath attacking in the Gloucester Rugby half but knock the ball on. Advantage Kingsholm!
Priestland's shot goes wide.
Tensions are rising on the pitch. This game is more than just a usual Premiership game. It's the west country derby.
Kingsholm is in full voice but the Cherry and Whites keep giving away too many penalties.
Things go wrong for Gloucester Rugby at the scrum and Preistland lines up another shot at goal.
At last!
Cipriani fires the ball deep into the Bath half and the Cherry and Whites will have the lineout just outside the 22.
Gloucester Rugby continue their run of poor discipline. Priestland adds another three points to take Bath ahead.
Cipriani puts in a clever kick but it is returned by Priestland. Bath put together some clever phases of attack and are awarded another penalty in front of the posts.
Great defence from the Cherry and Whites but the referee gives Bath the penalty for not rolling away. Priestland nails the kick.
Bath were set to score. Anthony Watson made a break down the left-wing and offloaded inside to Faletau. There was plenty of space but the Cherry and Whites rushed back and put in a series of massive tackles to stop them.
The Gloucester Rugby flyhalf kicks and chses his own ball and smashes Priestland as he collected hit.
Big moment.
He knew it as soon as he struck the ball.
These teams are very evenly matched. Every point will count.
Rokodoguni is lifted into touch and Gloucester Rugby have the lineout in Bath's 22. Bath have been penalised for an infringement at the lineout and Cipriani lines up the kick at goal.
The Cherry and Whites put good pressure on their opposition but they knock the ball forward and give Bath the scrum.
Priestland kicks the three points to reduce the deficit.
The Blue, Black and Whites come back firing and are awarded a penalty which Priestland will attempt to convert 20m out.
Cipriani slots the conversion!
Gloucester Rugby get over the try line! Mostert broke through but was brought down 5m short. It was a great score for Jason Woodward who fired over from short range.
Bath are penalized and Cipriani fires the ball into touch. The Cherry and Whites burst through the line with a carry from World Cup winner Franco Mostert.
Gloucester Rugby turn the ball over on their own 5m line. Heinz puts in a a clever box kick to bring his team out of his half.
Bath have the ball early on and are looking to break down the Cherry and White defence. However, they are going nowhere and a tackle from Grobler forces them back.
Kingsholm is in full voice ready to cheer on the Cherry and Whites.
Priestland kicks us off.
We're here at Kingsholm for the local derby!
Kick off at 3pm!