Gloucester trip over Bath Hurdle

Back in the team
By MHIAS
September 29 2002

Despite outscoring Bath by two tries to none, Gloucester continued their terrible Wreck record as Bath claimed a draw with a final minute Olly Barkley kick. And how overjoyed they were at a draw. Hee hee. Final score Bath 21-21 Gloucester.

Nobody likes a trip to the Wreck, and Gloucester haven't won there since 1987. There seems to be something which hangs in the air over the stadium which makes Gloucester play almost as badly as Bath themselves.

Chris Malone scored first, with a drop goal for Bath. However, this made no impact, as Mercier drew the scores level with a penalty of his own, before increasing the lead with another. The lead was stretched even greater when James Forrester scored the first of Gloucester's two tries.

It came from a line out, Gloucester's biggest problem so far this season. Junior Paramore released Andy Gomarsall who niggled his way through the Bath defensive line, before sending Django over for the score. Ludo, who wasn't really on form with the boot, missed the conversion. Well, according to the touch judges he missed the conversion.

Barkely didn't have such bad luck though, and two penalties kept Bath in touch of Gloucester going in to half time 11-9 down. Bath never looked like they had the ability to score tries, and a second half onslaught by Gloucester was expected.

Straight from the restart Gloucester pressurised. James Simpson-Daniel broke through but he badly timed his pass to Marcel Garvey which meant the youngster couldn't go over. Despite more and more Gloucester charges, Bath held on for a good 15 minutes.

Gloucester's second try looked as if it would seal the game for the Cherry-and-Whites. It was a good possesive move with resulted in Sinbad setting up Henry Paul who scored. He had also taken the kicking duties from Mericer, and easilt slotted the conversion.

It was Olly Barkley's day though. Penalty after penalty and Bath surge after Bath surge, they crept closer to Gloucester's score. As the end of normal time approached, Bath were jsut 3 points behind and desperate for a winning try or a kick to win. Gloucester defended outstandingly, but a dropped ball from Thinus Delport meant that Bath would have the last word. The charged forward and despite Gloucester's greatest efforts, premiership debutiser Roncero was caught offside, and Barkley kicked the points.

For some reason no extra time was played, and the final whistle went ending the game Bath 21-21 Gloucester.
The joviality of the Bath players and suppporters summed it up well. They were pleased with a draw at home. We were annoyed with a draw away.