Gloucester Rugby were beaten 24-33 in an eight try thriller at Kingsholm on Friday night.
WHAT HAPPENED
Bristol Bears got off to a solid start and Semi Radradra was on a different level, helping his side secure the try scoring bonus point before half time. The Cherry and Whites stayed in the fight and came back with two tries of their own through Fraser Balmain and Chris Harris before the break.
Gloucester Rugby’s back three impressed with Jonny May, Louis Rees-Zammit and Ollie Thorley all utilising their speed and power throughout the game but despite their efforts, it was not enough.
Bristol had built up quick points and the Cherry and Whites were forced to play catch up for the rest of the game.
A Ben Earl try in the second half continued Bristol’s momentum but it wasn’t long until things swung back in the favour of Gloucester Rugby. Steven Varney replaced Joe Simpson and immediately made an impact with a try underneath the Bears' sticks.
Ultimately, it was too little too late and the Cherry and Whites ended the game empty handed after 80 minutes at Kingsholm.
IMPACT
Steven Varney came on in the second half and immediately impressed. He made a few sniping breaks but it was his try with less than 10 minutes left on the clock that really stood out. Harris made a break just past the halfway line and put the ball back inside for the young scrum half to gallop over and score in impressive fashion.
HOW IT HAPPENED
See how the game at Kingsholm unfolded in our play by play commentary below.
GALLERY
See the game in images from our Club Photographer
WHAT'S NEXT
It’s a short turnaround for Gloucester Rugby who will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Saracens at Allianz Park on Wednesday.
Full time at Kingsholm.
Cipriani nudges through for @jackclementt , but Malins dots it over the Bears line for 22m drop out.
Cipriani converts.
TRRYYY!
ON @CharlieSharples
OFF @LouisReesZammit
ON @T_Seabz
OFF Billy Twelvetrees
Quick penalty, @DannyCipriani87 kicks ahead for @LouisReesZammit , but Malins just does enough. Close.
But Bristol steal the ball. Bears now attacking.
So close for @Stephen9Varney
ON Mulipola
OFF Rapava-Ruskin
ON @JackStanley24
OFF @FraserBalmain
Cipriani pushes the Cherry & whites towards the 22.
ON @jackclementt
OFF @RuanAckermann
OFF @Franco2Marais
ON @JackSingleton14
ON @Stephen9Varney
Bears try. Ben Earl crashes over under the posts. Sheedy converts.
But it's another excellent chop from Ludlow as he forces Vui into touch. A few handbags that the TMO wants to check
Bristol steal, and clear the ball.
The pack earn the penalty and Cipriani drives the hosts forward.
An early penalty for the Cherry & Whites. Twelvetrees converts from the tee.
Sheedy will get the second 40 underway.
Let's see your pics from home, in the fan gallery!
#GLOvBRI
The Cherry & Whites are 5m out once more!
Beautifully delayed pass from Twelvetrees to Harris, who races in unopposed. Twelvetrees to converts.
Radradra breaks from short range and crawls over the line. TMO will check the double-movement here.
A brilliant try from the forwards, who roll it in from 22m out! Twelvetrees nails the conversion.
Excellent drive from Glos, looks like Balmain has scored, but the TMO will check.
The Cherry & Whites will attack into the 22 now.
Bears try. Thacker rolls over. Sheedy converts.
Radradra with the line-break, and it's Henry Purdy who is there to take the try. Sheedy adds the extras.
Simpson grubbers through for May. TMO checks, but it'll be a 22m drop out.
Max Malins scores in the corner for the visitors.
Rapava-Ruskin earns the penalty. Cipriani moves play to the Bears 10m line.
@DannyCipriani87 gets the game underway at Kingsholm!