In a challenging encounter played under heavy rain at Ashton Gate, George Barton’s reliable boot led Gloucester Rugby to a 16-8 victory away at Bristol Bears. The result leaves Bristol anchored at the bottom of Pool A, while Gloucester solidifies their place at the top.
Bristol entered halftime narrowly ahead, 8-7, courtesy of a try from Rich Lane and a penalty kicked by Sam Worsley. However, the Bears could not capitalize further, hindered by missed chances and resilient Gloucester defense.
Gloucester’s earlier score came from scrum-half Mikey Austin’s well-timed try in the first half, expertly converted by Barton. In the second half, Barton’s trio of penalties—adding nine points—proved decisive in breaking Bristol’s resistance and ending Gloucester’s streak of seven consecutive defeats.
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Last-minute lineup changes disrupted Bristol, with experienced players Steven Luatua and Noah Heward replaced by less seasoned Ollie Harris and George Taylor. Despite this, both teams fielded strong sides, highlighted by Harry Thacker captaining the Bears on his 150th appearance.
Gloucester arrived determined to find form, reflected in director of rugby Skivington’s near-first-team selection. Early on, despite Bristol’s promising start, Gloucester capitalized on their first penetration into the Bears’ 22. A critical offside penalty set up Charlie Atkinson for a crucial kick, leading eventually to Austin’s try after a clever sequence.
Bristol responded quickly as Rich Lane deftly finished off an improvised offload from Sam Worsley, but the missed conversion kept Gloucester narrowly ahead at halftime.
The second half unfolded as a battle of attrition in soaking conditions, with Barton dominating the kicking game. His penalties at the 43rd and 52nd minutes pushed Gloucester ahead, with the forward pack gaining ascendancy in the scrums. Despite a charged down drop goal attempt and a long-range miss, Gloucester’s defense stood firm, denying Bristol any further points.
In the closing minutes, Bristol maintained pressure inside Gloucester’s 22 but failed to breach the line. Barton’s final penalty sealed the win, denying the Bears even a losing bonus point.
Gloucester now enjoy a weekend off, while Bristol prepare to welcome Exeter to Ashton Gate next Saturday.
Bristol Bears: 15 Rich Lane, 14 Ollie Harris, 13 Benjamin Elizalde, 12 Jack Bates, 11 Gabriel Ibitoye, 10 Sam Worsley, 9 Sam Wolstenholme; 1 Max Lahiff, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 Jimmy Halliwell, 4 James Dun, 5 Joe Owen, 6 Luka Ivanishvili (c), 7 Benjamin Grondona, 8 [Player Not Listed].
Replacements: 16 Tomas Gwilliam, 17 Sam Grahamslaw, 18 Sam Scott, 19 Steele Barker, 20 George Taylor, 21 Max Pepper, 22 Raff Weston, 23 Charlie Powell.
Gloucester Rugby: 15 George Barton, 14 Josh Hathaway, 13 Josiah Edwards Giraud, 12 Max Knight, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Mikey Austin; 1 Dian Bleuler, 2 Seb Blake, 3 Afo Fasogbon, 4 Matias Alemanno, 5 Hugh Bokenham, 6 Will Trenholm, 7 Harry Taylor (c), 8 Jack Clement.
Replacements: 16 Manaaki Boyle Tiatia, 17 Archie McArthur, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Josh Basham, 20 James Venter, 21 Rhys Price, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Will Butler.
Referee: Harry Walbaum
Assistant referees: Anthony Woodthorpe, Mike Hudson