Bath Rugby clinched their place in the PREM Rugby Cup semi-final after a thrilling 38-26 victory against West Country rivals Gloucester Rugby. The win eliminates Gloucester from the competition and sets Bath on a path towards a potential second consecutive final appearance.
The hosts’ half-backs were pivotal, combining for three tries. Tom Carr-Smith celebrated his birthday in style with two tries, while Max Ojomoh added a try in the corner. Will Muir, named player of the match, also reached an impressive milestone by scoring his 40th try for Bath. Additional tries from Kepueli Tuipulotu and Ethan Staddon solidified the victory.
Gloucester fought hard, earning a losing bonus point with tries from Ben Redshaw, Ollie Thorley, Max Knight, and Deian Gwynne. Despite their efforts, they fell short and will now have two weeks to regroup before the league resumes. Bath will travel to face Leicester Tigers next Sunday, aiming to replicate their previous success in this competition.
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The match began scrappily as both teams looked to find rhythm after a period apart. Gloucester initially held momentum, with an early close call from Arthur Clark. Bath struck first at the 15-minute mark with Carr-Smith’s opening try, expertly set up by Will Butt and converted by Tom de Glanville.
Bath swiftly added a second try with Tuipulotu powering over from a maul. Gloucester responded with sustained pressure, and eventually Redshaw broke through to score. Bath’s Muir then extended their lead with an impressive try created by Carr-Smith’s vision and de Glanville’s awareness.
Early in the second half, Bath secured their bonus point try, with Ojomoh crashing through near the line and Carr-Smith completing the effort. Gloucester answered quickly, Thorley finishing a slick backline move to keep hopes alive.
Gloucester’s momentum grew further when Francois van Wyk was sin-binned for a dangerous play, and Gloucester capitalized with Max Knight scoring. However, Bath responded instantly as Tuipulotu capitalized on a poor kick, leading to Staddon’s try.
Even down to 14 men, Bath continued to press, with Ojomoh scoring a sensational try following a clever offload from de Glanville and Muir’s quick thinking. Gloucester managed a final try through Gwynne, but Bath’s lead was too substantial to overcome.
The match highlighted Bath’s resilience and attacking flair, earning them the well-deserved semi-final berth in the PREM Rugby Cup.
Bath Rugby: Tom de Glanville; Joe Cokanasiga, Chris Harris, Will Butt (c), Will Muir; Max Ojomoh, Tom Carr-Smith; Francois van Wyk, Kepueli Tuipulotu, Vilikesa Sela; Will Jeanes, Charlie Ewels; Ted Hill, Ethan Staddon, Miles Reid.
Replacements included Tom Dunn, Beno Obano, Mikey Summerfield, and Cameron Redpath.
Gloucester Rugby: Ben Redshaw; Will Joseph, Josiah Edwards Giraud, Seb Atkinson, Ollie Thorley; Charlie Atkinson, Caolan Englefield; Ciaran Knight, Seb Blake, Afo Fasogbon; Arthur Clark, Matias Alemanno; Deian Gwynne, Lewis Ludlow (c), Will Trenholm.
Replacements included Jack Innard, Dian Bleuler, Nepo Laulala, Max Knight, and George Barton.
Refereeing duties were handled by George Selwood, assisted by Sara Cox and Simon Harding, with TMO Andrew Jackson overseeing video decisions.