The longest-standing derby in the Premiership delivered a suitably traditional encounter, with Gloucester ultimately prevailing to condemn Bath to a sixth consecutive loss. It was not the usual try-fest – it was rather sloppy, to be honest – but it was nonetheless entertaining and evidence that Johann van Graan has his job cut out for him in reversing Bath’s fortunes.
As they have done so frequently this season, Bath clawed their way back into the game after falling behind by 14 points, but ultimately fell short. Perhaps they would have won had Orlando Bailey not missed two conversions, but their frantic lineout, in which they conceded no fewer than seven, was far more costly.
Eddie Jones will have been impressed with the performances of Joe Cokanasiga and Ollie Lawrence, both of whom got their debuts after transferring from Worcester, a team in financial trouble. However, Van Graan’s players lack confidence, which can only be remedied when they finally find a way to win.
This is a pattern that Gloucester has created, as this was their second close victory of the year. They may have been denied by Saracens at the death in their previous match, but they showed composure to secure the victory as Bath went through more than 20 phases at the end.
George Skivington will not be bothered by the fact that they labored under the high ball and this performance was nowhere near as dominant as their 64-0 thrashing of Bath at the end of the previous season.
Bath’s season has been marked by slow starts, and this year was no exception. As a result of beginning the season with four losses and being at the bottom of the standings, the team’s initial 10 minutes were marked by hesitation.
Gloucester, on the other hand, appears to be much more at ease in their skin and acutely aware of their strengths, namely their driving maul, which was such an effective weapon last season and has not been blunted this season. Matas Alemanno and Santiago Socino, both Argentinians, scored two tries, both from mauls, in the first twenty minutes.
The second occurred shortly after Bath loosehead prop Juan Schoeman was cautioned for a cynical infraction, an indication that Bath’s desperation was growing. Albert Tuisue was sent to the sin-bin for a no-arms tackle on Tom Ellis off the ball, and Bath, after deciding to pick and go, was on the scoreboard when Miles Reid barged his way over the line to restore numerical parity. Gloucester reasserted their dominance with a third try (and a second for Alemanno) following a great carry by the excellent Mark Atkinson and some sloppy defense by Bath.
Bath’s afternoon deteriorated when Piers Francis was joined to their extensive list of injured players two minutes before halftime, but they were given a way back into the game when Gloucester’s Ben Meehan was cautioned for a high tackle shortly before the interval. It allowed Bath to begin the second half on the front foot, and Tom Dunn scored their second try after sustained pressure in the Gloucester 22.
Ruan Ackermann’s second yellow card for Gloucester indicated Bath’s ascendancy, and Niall Annett’s try after a driving lineout in the 64th minute pulled the hosts to within four points. However, Bailey’s conversion mistake necessitated that his team scores another try, which they were eventually unable to do.
