In a gripping West Country derby at Kingsholm, Bath Rugby edged Gloucester Rugby 30-26 to reclaim the top spot in the Gallagher Premiership, if only temporarily. The electric atmosphere set the stage for a thrilling contest from start to finish.
Bath wasted no time taking the lead when young Welsh winger Louie Hennessey scored the club’s fastest try of the season. Gloucester quickly responded with tries from Charlie and Seb Atkinson, pushing Bath 21-7 behind. However, Dan Frost and Guy Pepper’s tries narrowed the gap to 21-19 by halftime, keeping Bath within striking distance.
In the second half, Gloucester’s Afo Fasogbon extended their lead to seven points. Bath, undeterred, launched relentless pressure on Gloucester’s defense. Fly-half Finn Russell ended a 17-phase sequence with a crucial try, his first of the season, though he missed the conversion, leaving Gloucester ahead by two points.
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Russell then took control, slotting two important penalties in the final 10 minutes. His final successful kick gave Bath a vital four-point cushion and silenced the vociferous home crowd in the Shed.
Rugby analyst Ben Baker reviews the individual performances from this intense match:
Santi Carreras (15) - 8
The Argentine fullback thrived in the hostile environment, making incisive breaks and commanding a strong kicking game. His excellent link-up play with Finn Russell showcased his best performance in Bath colors to date.
Louie Hennessey (14) - 7
The young winger’s blistering try set the tone early on. He challenged Gloucester’s defense with nimble footwork, though was subdued in the second half.
Chris Harris (13) - 5
Involved heavily in Bath’s attack, Harris contributed some good passes but was marred by handling errors, including one critical mistake near halftime that likely cost a try.
Max Ojomoh (12) - 5
A consistent playmaker, Ojomoh was overshadowed by his opposing centre Seb Atkinson and received limited ball contact, failing to fully impose himself.
Will Muir (11) - 6
Quiet in the first half, Muir came alive after the break with powerful runs and effective kick chases.
Finn Russell (10) - 7
Russell produced a masterclass of game management, scoring 15 points with a try and penalties. His calm under pressure and tactical kicking proved decisive in Bath’s comeback.
Ben Spencer (9) - 6
Captain Spencer delivered a robust defensive display and provided steady distribution from the base of the ruck, embodying leadership and reliability throughout the match.
Francois van Wyk (1) - 5
The prop struggled to find his rhythm in a Bath side that showed moments of indiscipline, occasionally slow at the ruck and off the pace.
Dan Frost (2) - 4
Despite scoring a try from a rolling maul and making some breaks, Frost’s lineout performance was problematic, with multiple steals and inaccuracies undermining Bath.
Archie Griffin (3) - 4
Griffin’s day was marked by costly handling errors and several offside penalties, although he made some impactful tackles early on.
Ted Hill (4) - 6
Returning to lock for the first time in over a year, Hill had a slow start, struggling in the lineout and conceding penalties. He improved in the second half, demonstrating greater confidence.
Quinn Roux (5) - 6
Roux was part of a pack that struggled in the lineout but showed toughness and work rate during loose play.
Josh Bayliss (6) - 7
The Scottish international was a constant presence at the breakdown and even stepped in at scrum-half when required; his defensive efforts were commendable.
Ethan Straddon (7) - 6
Straddon was effective in the ruck, securing turnovers, though he was less prominent with ball in hand.
Arthur Green (8) - 5
His contribution at the breakdown was significant, but an early blood injury forced him off, curtailing his impact.
Replacements:
Kepueli Tuipulotu (16) - 7
Beno Obano (17) - 6
Thomas du Toit (18) - 6
Charlie Ewels (19) - 7
Guy Pepper (20) - 8
Pepper injected energy off the bench, scoring a vital try and dominating at the breakdown with several turnovers. A late, somewhat harsh yellow card was a blemish on an impactful display.
Bernard van der Linde (21) - 5
Henry Arundell (22) - 6
Sam Underhill (23) - 7
Bath’s victory was a collective battle of resilience and skill, with key performers shining in crucial moments. The win propels them to the summit and adds momentum to their Premiership campaign.