Polledri grabs a try in Premiership Cup win
GLOUCESTER continue to have the West Country derby bragging rights, but the cavern of a gap there has been between these two sides in recent years looks to be closing up.
The Cherry and Whites overcame a youthful Bath side at The Rec, winning 29-15 on Wednesday night in the the Premiership Rugby Cup in a feisty fixture that allowed the West Country sides to flex their younger talent.
Tries from Jake Polledri, a Kyle Moyle double and Jack Reeves got the Cherry and Whites comfortably over the line, with Bath also crossing the whitewash through hookers Tom Doughty and John Stewart.
Gloucester were faster out the blocks with numerous breakdown and maul penalties from Bath allowing the Cherry and Whites to advance down the field, with Giorgi Kveseladze filthily servicing Jake Polledri with an out the back offload for the opening score.
The Blue, Black and White responded steadily, working their way down the field with clever kicks and brutal carries, ultimately steamrolling their way over the line with a driving maul as the Gloucester pack succumbed to the power of the hosts and Tom Doughty got Bath’s first try of the game.
The hosts continued to perform impressively for the remaining minutes of the half, retaining the lead at the half-time whistle.
Gloucester came out of the changing room with purpose, with Kyle Moyle perfectly angling his run past Sam Harris to finish off a lovely passage of play with a score.
The visitors struck again minutes later, as Jack Reeves pushed past George Worboys from short range for a try.
The Cherry and Whites added another, as Moyle went over for his second of the day, selling the defence with a convincing dummy before taking advantage of the gap, with JJ Tonks also being sent to the bin as the penalties piled up.
Bath at last awoke, as their driving maul powered over the line once again as John Stewart scored a five-pointer.
Gloucester solidified the result minutes later, as George Barton converted a penalty to put the game beyond Bath.
Bath host Bristol Bears in the next round of the competition in three weeks time, while Gloucester will hope to continue their charge in six weeks time at Kingsholm, also against Bristol. Gloucester: 15. Kyle Moyle, 14. Tom Seabrook, 13. Jack Reeves, 12. Giorgi Kveseladze, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Barton, 9. Stephen Varney, 1. Ciaran Knight, 2. Henry Walker, 3. Bryan O’connor, 4. Arthur Clark, 5. Cameron Jordan, 6. Jack Clement, 7. Lewis Ludlow (C), 8. Jake Polledri.
Replacements: 16. Seb Blake, 17. Fred Ma’a, 18. James Pollard, 19. Freddie Thomas, 20. Jack Bartlett, 21. Matty Jones, 22. Isaac Marsh, 23. Jake Morris.