Gloucester Rugby marked 150 years of West Country Derbies with a destructive 11-try performance against Bath under the Friday night lights.
What Happened?
Gloucester Rugby came out of the blocks firing, with a combination of darting runs out wide, and forward strength down the middle building some excellent momentum and Ben Morgan scoring from the back of a driving maul. The start of a good night for the number 8. Lloyd Evans added the extras.
It wasn’t too long before the Cherry and White backs got involved in the try scoring, with Kyle Moyle sniping from the base of the ruck to score the second of the evening, again converted by Evans.
Next came a small bit of ill-discipline from Gloucester Rugby, firstly being offside and allowing Bath’s George Worboys to get the visitors onto the scoreboard, and then Freddie Clarke being shown a yellow card for making contact in the air contesting for the high ball.
Bath couldn’t make the most of this man advantage though, as the defence held firm. The Cherry and Whites even managed to score again as Lewis Ludlow touched down from the back of another dominant driving maul.
The tries kept coming as Andrew Davidson burst through the Bath defence, before Billy Twelvetrees fired a bullet of a pass to Tom Seabrook who put Ruan Ackermann over to score in the corner. A brilliant team try that won the bonus point after just 33 minutes.
The first half scoring wasn’t quite over, as Ben Morgan made it over for his second of the night just on the cusp of half time.
The second half began in very much the same way to the first. Andrew Davidson burst over the line to score just 2 minutes into the half, quickly followed by the hat-trick score for Ben Morgan.
The Gloucester Rugby maul was truly unstoppable, providing more tries from Fraser Balmain and Jack Clement before another sustained period of attack allowed Jake Morris to score Gloucester Rugby’s 10th try of the night.
The destructive maul had the final say and Jack Clement was able to score his second and the teams 11th. Overall, a fantastic night for the Cherry and Whites, especially in a West Country Derby and a statement of intent in the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Key Moment – Ben Morgan’s hat-trick
The number No.8 was everywhere during his stint on the pitch. Dominating collisions and refusing to be brought down. Scoring his three tries in 50 minutes.
What’s Next?
It’s another West Country showdown at Kingsholm on Saturday 20th November, with Exeter being the opponents. After the last time they came to visit, this is sure to be a belter.
A West Country derby win.
Gloucester Rugby's last effort is held up over the line. The referee ends the game.
Merigan is yellow carded.
Jack Clement gets over for the Cherry and Whites. The driving maul strikes again!
A good tackle from Jake Morris to get the Bath attacker into touch.
Louis Hillman-Cooper is on for Billy Twelvetrees.
Jake Morris gets over in the corner for the Cherry and Whites. A great period of attack.
We're right down near their line. Bath knock the ball on so we have the scrum 10m out.
Worboys adds the conversion.
George Worboys gets over for Bath.
Momentum has swung.
Ben Meehan and George Barton are on. Charlie Chapman and Kyle Moyle are replaced. Lloyd Evans moves to 15.
Evans adds the extras.
Balmain and Clarke are off. On come Ford-Robinson and Freddie Thomas.
Jack Clement is the latest player to get over from the back of the maul!!
Val Rapava-Ruskin , Jack Clement and Henry Walker are on. Harry Elrington, Ben Morgan and Santiago Socino are off.
Evans converts
Fraser Balmain gets over from the maul! There's no stopping it when it gets going!
Electric pace from the winger.
Evans hoofs the ball to touch. We have the lineout deep in the Bath half.
Evans adds the extras.
Hat trick for Ben Morgan!!! The big No.8 burst through the middle and refused to be brought down. He gets over the line for his third try of the game.
Lloyd Evans adds the extras.
What a start to the half! Andrew Davidson crashes over the line to score!
Worboys kicks us off.
A good start to the game for the Cherry and Whites.
Evans adds the conversion.
Ben Morgan gets over for his second try of the game just before half time!
Have we scored? On field decision is try.
Bath knock the ball on going for the intercept, ending a great attack from the Cherry and Whites.
Billy Twelvetrees flies out of the line and causes the Bath attack to spill the ball forward. We have the scrum.
WHAT A TRY! Ruan Ackermann gets over after a charging run from Andrew Davidson. The ball came out to Billy Twelvetrees who fired a missile of a pass to Tom Seabrook who had to draw the last man before putting Ackermann over to score.
Bang on the half way line.
Evans slots the conversion!
The driving maul gets over again!! Lewis Ludlow collects the ball at the back of the maul and the Gloucester Rugby captain is awarded the try!
Lloyd Evans goes to touch. Bath are penalised at the breakdown.
Gloucester Rugby attack deep in the Bath 22 but the Cherry and Whites are penalised. THeir kick to touch lands in the hands of Jake Morris who makes an electric break...
Bath's Jaco Coetzee is off for Richard de Capentier.
A tackle off the ball from Will Butt gives the Cherry and Whites another attacking position.
Bath throw the ball to touch.
Bath kick to touch so we have the lineout on our 10m line.
Freddie Clarke has been yellow carded as we was deemed to have made contact in the air.
Worboys gets Bath on the scoreboard.
Gloucester Rugby are offside. Bath have the penalty and call for the tee.
Gloucester Rugby knock the ball on having gone for the strip. Bath have the scrum in our half.
Bath spill the ball forward in attack. Gloucester Rugby scrum.
Lloyd Evans adds the extras.
Kyle Moyle picks up the ball at the breakdown and makes a sniping break to score Gloucester Rugby's second try of the evening.
The Cherry and Whites launch an attack but Evans' cross field kick is just a bit too strong and the ball goes to touch.
Lloyd Evans slots the conversion.
Gloucester Rugby's driving maul powers over the line. Ben Morgan dots down to score.
Gloucester Rugby make great ground! We win the penalty for a tackle off the ball. Evans goes to the corner.
Good momentum for the Cherry and Whites.
From the scrum, Chapman fires the ball to touch. Bath win the ball at the lineout. They are given a free kick for an early jump in the lineout.
But they then knock the ball on in attack. We have a scrum inside our half.
Lloyd Evans kicks us off!
Don't forget to download your digital match day programme! This week we spoke to George Barton all about the West Country derby.
We're all set for our West Country derby against Bath in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Kick-off 7:45pm.