Gloucester Rugby signed off their 2019-20 Premiership Rugby Cup campaign on a disappointing note, as Bath Rugby overturned a 24-0 deficit to pip the Cherry and Whites by 26 points to 24 at Kingsholm on Friday evening.
For 25 minutes, the Cherry and Whites were on fire, scoring four tries and arguably leaving several other chances out there. Bath Rugby looked distinctly second best and wishing they were somewhere else.
However, the game then turned on its head as Bath started to keep the ball tight as conditions worsened. Several penalties followed and the visitors battled their way back into the game with two tries before half-time.
Perhaps the key moment of the game though occurred early in the second-half when Bath fly-half Alex Davies was forced out of the game with an arm injury. Former Kingsholm favourite Freddie Burns entered the fray and played a key role in what followed.
The Cherry and Whites found it difficult to get out of their own half in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but were defending reasonably comfortably until Burns, as he did so many times in Gloucester Rugby colours, snaffled an interception and went under the posts.
The lead was now down to 24-19, and the visitors started to sense a memorable comeback. The Cherry and Whites didn’t help themselves with some set-piece malfunctions whereas the visitors were efficient in this regard, and it came as no surprise when a catch and drive resulted in their fourth try, Burns’ conversion edging his team in front at 24-26.
Ball handling was now difficult as the persistent rain took its toll, and there were only a couple of fleeting chances for Gloucester Rugby to try and launch an attack to regain the initiative.
Sadly, none came to fruition and a disappointing evening came to an end with Bath Rugby holding on and actually looking the more likely to extend their lead.
Times up.
Tempest stops another infringement from the Cherry and Whites.
Burns kicks the ball to the 5m line.
It's looks the break is on as Sharples races away. Morris just couldn't get the ball to stick.
Bath scrum.
Bath advance up the pitch via a penalty.
The Gloucester Rugby pack do well to secure the ball from the resulting line out.
Bath do well to claim the line out and clear the ball.
So close, but so far!
Another scrum penalty!
A huge boot from Evans puts the Cherry and Whites 5m out...
It's a bar of soap out there.
The ball is slipping around between both sides and we're set for another scrum.
Chapman to feed.
Scrum penalty for Gloucester Rugby this time!
The ball goes loose from the resulting lineout and Bath recover the ball.
🍒24 - 26 🛁 | #GLOvBAT
It's all a little bit scrappy now as the rain pours here at Kingsholm.
A couple of knock on's in the middle of the park from each side, but Bath get the scrum.
Try Bath Rugby.
Jack Walker goes over in the corner.
Bath win a penalty at the breakdown.
Burns moves play into the Gloucester Rugby 22.
The ball goes wide with pace with numbers over, Kriel almost breaks clear.
There's a hand in from Bath who knock the ball on, Gloucester Rugby scrum now.
A charge down on Burns attempted clearance now takes the Cherry and Whites up to the 22!
Very open this one.
Try Bath. Freddie Burns gets his own back with an intercept and dots under the posts.
Lot's of play around the middle now with Bath on the ball.
Burns kicks the ball straight out, much to the delight of the Shed!
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The ball goes loose and Chapman clears well!
Offside called by the official and Burns will have the chance to push the ball deep in the the Gloucester Rugby half.
Bath escape their 22 via penalty at scrum time.
Burns clears to halfway.
Alex Davies is down recieving treatment and heads off.
A warm reception for Freddie Burns who takes his place.
We're back underway and Gloucester Rugby are marching towards the Bath line.
Try Bath.
Rees-Zammit rescues the ball from a loose pass and Chapman clears!
Bath win a penalty at scrum time and move back up the pitch.
Attacking from the 22 line now.
Bath clear after the kick ahead, but only as far as the 22.
BREAK!
An overlap for Seabrook who feeds Hudson and nudges ahead...
Try Bath. The pack force their way over.
It looks like Ross Batty is the scorer.
Another penalty for offside against the Cherry and Whites.
Bath now up to the 5m line.
Penalty Bath at scrum time.
Davies nudges the kick up to the 22.
Bath were back on the attack after a strong carry from Roberts, but the officials have spotted a forward pass and Gloucester Rugby will have the scrum.
Play now on the 10m inside the Bath Rugby half.
A very positive first quarter for the Cherry and Whites here.
Moving back now towards the Bath 22.
Jake Morris this time! The ball goes wide and we're over again!
What. A. Start.
TRY!
Chapman spots a gap around the ruck and dives under the sticks!
A huge gap opens up for Rees-Zammit and he needs no second invitation!
Flies up to the 22...
Rees-Zammit hits man and ball after a return kick from the restart!
A penalty is awarded and Evans boots the ball back down to the 22.
No extras this time.
TRY!
He has scored it!
Kriel is up and running for the season.
Jaco Kriel may be over here!
One for the TMO.
It was almost a walk in for Rees-Zammit, but the ball is dropped forward into touch.
A great start from this young side.
Jake Morris with a rampaging run towards the line...
Bath look to put together a few phases but an excellent turnover from Kriel puts the Cherry and Whites back on the front foot.
Lloyd Evans adds the 2!
TRY!
Louis Rees-Zammit picks off a loose Bath pass and races away to score!
Bath claim back the and kick deep. Hudson returns and Bath will have the line out just inside the Gloucester half.
A penalty awarded to the Cherry and Whites after a well fielded kick from Rees-Zammit.
Evans pushes the kick down to the 22.
Lloyd Evans get's us underway!
10 minutes until we get underway!
Time to get comfy...
A very good evening from Kingsholm.
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