Late bonus for Gloucester

Gloucester claimed a bonus point win at Bristol to further worsen their west country rivals' relegation fears.

England internationals Olly Morgan and Mike Tindall scored tries in each half as Gloucester maintained their push for a play-off spot.

Gloucester wing Lesley Vainikolo also crossed as the Cherry and Whites enjoyed a near perfect afternoon at the Memorial Ground.

The hosts, despite a late David Lemi try, will end 2008 propping up the Premiership table.

The home side had their moments, giving Gloucester a real battle up front as you would expect in a fiercely-contested derby, but they offered little attacking threat out wide.

Bristol's February 13 showdown with Newcastle already has "relegation decider" written all over it and on this evidence they are in real trouble of the drop.

Centre Ed Barnes booted a penalty for Bristol, with substitute Adrian Jarvis converting Lemi's opportunist effort, but they could have few complaints about the final outcome.

Gloucester, hammered 42-12 by leaders London Irish last time out, suffered a late injury blow when England international Iain Balshaw withdrew because of groin trouble.

Balshaw was replaced on the right-wing by Matthew Watkins, while Bristol showed two changes - both up front - following a 20-20 draw at Worcester, as prop Darren Crompton and hooker Scott Linklater both started.

Gloucester took just four minutes to shake off any hangover from the Irish game, with Morgan weaving his way through five Bristol defenders on a 30-metre run for an outstanding individual try, Olly Barkley adding the conversion.

Barnes cut the deficit through a 23rd-minute penalty before Ryan Lamb restored Gloucester's seven-point advantage after he took over kicking duties from Barkley.

Confrontation

Rival hookers Scott Linklater and Olivier Azam were fortunate to avoid yellow cards following a confrontation that lasted long after referee David Rose blew his whistle.

But the official's patience snapped a minute before the break when he sin-binned Bristol skipper Shaun Perry for deliberate offside.

But despite dominating, Gloucester led just 10-3 at the break, hoping they would not be left to rue three missed penalties by Lamb (twice) and Barkley.

Substitute Mark Regan immediately got involved in a skirmish with opposite number Azam, but the World Cup winner's introduction also had a galvanising effect on his team.

There was more urgency and direction about the Bristol forwards, while Perry then rejoined the action with Gloucester having failed to capitalise on his absence.

The game had developed into a war of attrition and although an occasional raking Barkley touchfinder gave Gloucester good field position, attacking opportunities proved few and far between as Bristol controlled the tempo and remained firmly in contention.

Bonus point

But Gloucester were finally able to move up a gear during the closing quarter, making the game safe when Tindall burst through a huge gap to touch down unopposed.

Lamb added the extras, but worse was to come for Bristol as Vainikolo rounded off a sweeping move.

Lemi did score a consolation try entering injury-time, but Gloucester were not to be denied a bonus point as Tindall powered over in the final play of the game to prompt even more celebrations amongst the visiting supporters.