PREM Cup: Gloucester 19-17 Bath - Brothers Will & Max Knight star in 'feisty' West Country derby win

The visitors started off strongly, opening the scoring just three minutes in after Sam Winters broke through the Gloucester defence setting up a two on one and Austin Emens powered through a tackle by George Barton to tap down over the try line. James Linegar was successful with his first attempt from the tee.

Gloucester were sent down to 14 men in the 6th minute when All Blacks prop, Nepo Laulala was shown to the sin bin for a high tackle.

The man disadvantage didn’t seem to phase the hosts as Josh Hathaway dove over the line untouched in the 15th minute after some well worked hands play by the Gloucester back line exposed Bath’s defensive shape. Barton converted to even up the scores.

Bath retook the lead just five minutes later through some dominant forward phases which saw Ethan Staddon touch down with the spoils. Linegar missed the extras.

A beautiful 50-22 kick by Barton set up Gloucester in superb field position just before the half hour mark. A sloppy lineout followed but a knock on by Neil Le Roux made the ball bounce perfectly into Kealan Freeman-Price’s hands who powered over the line. A bit of Argy Bargy ensued, as expected in a west country derby, but a gorgeous conversion by Barton gave the hosts the lead for the first time.

Gloucester extended their lead right on the half time whistle as an excellent Jake Morris run isolated Bath winger Tyler Offiah and a dink pass to Will Knight set the young centre up with an easy score. Barton missed the extras.

It was a quiet opening to the second half as neither team could get themselves back on the scoresheet. The visitors came the closest with a couple of held up attempts but both defences stood strong in the wet conditions.

Bath did get the first try of the second half in the 57th minute through Offiah, the winger hugged the touch line and waited for Charlie Griffin’s lofted pass to pass over the heads of a couple Gloucester players and into his hands. The conversion attempt by Linegar hit the post reducing the deficit to two points.

The Gloucester defence stood firm for the remainder of the half countering every attack Bath had to offer. A superb defensive showing to win the derby match.

Tries: 3 (Hathaway 15’, Freeman-Price 27’, W. Knight 40’)

Conversions: 2 (Barton 15’ 28’)

Penalties: 0

Yellow cards: 1 (Laulala 6’)

Red cards: 0

15. Jake Morris 14. Josh Hathaway 13. Will Knight 12. Max Knight 11. Jack Cotgreave 10. George Barton 9. Mikey Austin 1. Dian Bleuler 2. Kealan Freeman-Price 3. Nepo Laulala 4. Cam Jordan 5. Hugh Bokenham 6. Deian Gwynne 7. Harry Taylor (captain) 8. Will Trenholm

Replacements

16. George Knowles 17. Archie McArthur 18. Jono Benz-Salomon 19. Freddie Stevens 20. Caio James 21. Rhys Price 22. Harrison James 23. Rob Russell

Tries: 3 (Emens 3’, Staddon 20’, Offiah 57’)

Conversions: 1 (Linegar 4’)

Penalties: 0

Yellow cards 0

Red cards: 0

15. Austin Emens 14. Tyler Offiah 13. Charlie Griffin 12. Will Butt ( captain) 11. Sam Winters 10. James Linegar 9. Neil Le Roux 1. Scott Kirk 2. Jasper Spandler 3. Kieran Verden 4. Will Jeanes 5. Harvey Cuckson 6. Ethan Staddon 7. Thomson Cowan 8. George Timmins

Replacements

16. Max Pearce 17. Ioan Emmanuel 18. Mikey Summerfield 19. Arthur Green 20. Connor Treacey 21. Ieuan Davies 22. Will Roue 23. Jack Woods

George Barton (Fly Half) Gloucester & England – He might not be Gloucester’s first choice, let alone England’s but the local lad really shone tonight. At 25, he’s still got room to grow and his ability to switch play, change tempo and kick into the space really set him apart tonight. He’s started to become a Gloucester regular and he really stood out in a class of his own tonight, extremely well played.

Will Knight (Outside centre) Gloucester & England – The young lad played superbly alongside his brother as the centre pairing for Gloucester. They seemed to be on the same wavelength all evening and the 18-year-old constantly split open the Bath defence. He’s so young but so talented and Gloucester will be doing all they can to keep hold of the England U’18 international. The Knight brothers are a great story about Gloucester’s cracking academy set up and could be the Cherry and Whites’ centre pairing for years to come.

Nepo Laulala (Prop) Gloucester & New Zealand- The former All Black has just recovered from an 18 month period on the sidelines injured and he has slotted back into professional rugby excellently, he was a dominant force in the scrum and won a few penalties around the breakdown. He will certainly be back on Scott “Razor” Robertson’s radar to add to his 53 international caps.

Harvey Cuckson (Lock) Bath & England – Cuckson commanded the Bath pack well, he stepped up and won some defensive lineouts and also carried well and hard. He has a few England U20 appearances and the 21 year old looks soon to step up to the senior team shortly.

Ioan Emmanuel (Prop) Bath & Wales – The young Welshman was an early replacement for an injured Scott Kirk and he stepped up well. He was slightly outclassed by Laulala in the scrum but in open play he was excellent. He is highly thought of on the West side of the Severn bridge and the 20 year old is gaining many fans and plaudits at club level in Blue, Black and White also. He’s got a bright future ahead.

1. Defensive excellence – It was a superb defensive display from The Cherry and Whites in what has been a consistently leaky defence so far this season. The young guns stepped up well with many big hits and consistently putting reigning cup holder Bath back behind the gain line with each carry. The forward pack seemed to hit every carry with force and power and it is a testament to the academy of Gloucester to produce defensively excellent players across the pitch.

2. Barton’s magic boot – It was an excellent performance from the Gloucester local, he stepped up and looked to be in a class of his own tonight. He hit a pair of stunning 50-22’s and apart from hitting the post on a penalty and one missed conversion he didn’t put a pass or foot wrong. Deservedly man of the match and putting pressure on Ross Byrne for that 10 jersey in the league.

3. Feisty West Country derby – Another feisty encounter resulted in some push and shoving but it was the hosts who emerged victorious both in the breakdown and open play. Some superb running by an electric back line and a return for Josh Hathaway was too much for the opposing backline. The Welshman was electric, fast and imposing on the wing, now he’s back to full fitness he’s surely on the cusp of another national team call up.

4. The Knight brothers – A sibling bond at 12 & 13 for Gloucester seemed to provide the key in link up play tonight. They moved as a tandem in defence, not once did one bite and the other sit. They never let the other be exposed and in attack their lines were perfect outside of Barton and Will Knight got on the scoresheet after a well worked move from his brother and Jake Morris at full back. A young and exciting back line which should excite the “Shed Heads” for years to come. With Gloucester not being able to splash the cash like their rivals the academy is even more important for the club’s future.

5. Youngsters stepping up – Gloucester have been ravaged with injuries but those who stepped up tonight have made a strong claim to retain that jersey. Hathaway back in the squad will be a huge boost to The Cherry and White backline, his speed and change of pace electrified the Prem over the past couple of seasons and now he’s back to full fitness he is surely to be back to his flying best.

It wasn’t just Hathaway though, Jack Cotgreave on the opposite wing put in a solid performance and Deian Gwynne was a powerful runner and jackler who could step up and into a depleted Gloucester back row. Although not quite as young, George Barton and Jake Morris were excellent and put themselves in the conversation for a Prem start against Harlequins on the 29th of November.