Gloucester claim historic win

Gloucester clinched their first win at the Recreation Ground in 20 years with a 21-17 triumph over Bath on Saturday.

Bath's South African star Butch James played no small part in the contest, experiencing what can only be described as his worst goal-kicking nightmare.

Despite perfect playing conditions the Springbok fly-half missed four penalties and a conversion.

And to add to his misery, James saw a late clearance kick charged down by Willie Walker, who then gathered to score Gloucester's winning try.

Tactical presence

A pair of Walker penalties and an early drop-goal put the pressure on James, with the replacement for dropped fly-half Ryan Lamb, unlike James, giving the visitors an assured tactical presence.

Two thirds of Gloucester's starting line-up were dropped following a shocking start to their Guinness Premiership campaign against Leicester last weekend, including Lamb, Italian Test captain Marco Bortolami and scrum-half Rory Lawson.

And despite tries from Michael Lipman, wing Joe Maddock and full-back Nick Abendanon, Bath were unable to quell Gloucester's desire to erase the memory of that 20-8 surrender.

Gloucester made a positive start, edging ahead within the first minute through Walker's drop-goal but Bath quickly replied to cancel out the deficit.

The home side then struck from their first meaningful attack, lock Peter Short and number eight Jonny Faamatuainu combining at the line-out to put Lipman over.

But James failed to extend the scoreline, seeing his first conversion attempt hit the post and when Gloucester flanker Peter Buxton sparked a brawl after a reckless high tackle on Abendanon, James again failed with a penalty.

Just 10 minutes later and the Bath fly-half missed another after Walker had edged the visitors ahead. The Gloucester stand-off was on target again from short-range before the half-time whistle to take his side into the break with a 9-5 lead.

Bath found themselves under pressure from the restart and there seemed no end to James' misery as yet another easy penalty shot flew wide.

Discipline

Gloucester's concentration and discipline however earned them a deserved reward 15 minutes from time.

England number eight Luke Narraway showed pace and power to leave the Bath defence trailing in his wake for the score.

Walker still had time to rub salt into the Bath wounds, slotting over an opportunist effort before Maddock claimed a consolation try, converted by substitute Shaun Berne.

The home side did however manage to secure a losing bonus point deep into injury time when the impressive Abendanon scampered across.