Unbeaten Gloucester clambered to the top of the Premiership after coming from behind to defeat promoted Bristol who made a point even if they returned home without one. The Bears were ultimately undone by their own adventure, conceding two late tries after abortive attacks from their own line, but they had far more about them than most newly promoted sides.
They led 13-3 at half-time having reduced Gloucester to desperation in attack. Even Danny Cipriani struggled to find doors to unlock, but Bristol’s pressing game is complemented by pushing the boundaries at the breakdown where they bravely contest the ball aggressively in a league that gives the benefit of law-breaking doubt to the attacking side.
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Bristol were fortunate not to receive a yellow card in the opening half after conceding four in as many minutes, but after Gloucester had scored a try 45 seconds into the second period through the second row Gerbrandt Grobler after taking the direct route, George Smith was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball on his own line.
By the time he returned to the field, Charlie Sharples had scored two tries, both from lineouts that followed penalties. Cipriani had by then remembered where he had left his baton, orchestrating moves with his range of passes to stretch the defence and extort more penalties from the most indisciplined team in the Premiership so far this season.
Gloucester are unlikely to do more than babysit the top position with Saracens and Exeter in action on Saturday and they travel to Sarries next weekend. They were unsettled initially by Bristol’s anarchic approach, suckered into playing behind the gainline and constricted for width, but after the interval they stormed the advantage line, Jake Polledri to the fore, and gave Cipriani the means to dictate.
It was Cipriani’s opposite number, Ian Madigan, who provided the highlight of the opening half after he had exchanged penalties with Billy Twelvetrees. The Irish international’s chip on halfway was gathered by Steve Luatua who promptly offloaded to Luke Morahan to neutralise three defenders.
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It was the one time spontaneity resulted in a try for Bristol, but three other opportunities were only lacking a final pass. If their adventure at times bordered on recklessness – Gloucester’s final two tries, scored by Ed Slater and Matt Banahan, came after Bristol had lost the ball near their own line – it will yield greater reward when the team settles down.
Bristol have used 28 players as starters in the opening three rounds of the season in contrast to Gloucester who have only made four changes. Their head coach Pat Lam is targeting home fixtures, but discipline is an issue that needs addressing though, with the 18-10 penalty count a significant factor in their defeat.
“We gave them easy ways out,” said Lam. “We have to look at ourselves and be honest.” Bristol failed to score in the second half and lost the scent of a losing bonus point when Twelvetrees, whose partnership with Cipriani is maturing, kicked a penalty to make it 30-13, but they will take some watching.