Gloucs win epic encounter

Have we  already witnessed the best game of the new Premiership season? The  41-44 encounter at Ashton Gate had everything - superb tries, great skills, drama at the death and a hat-trick hero in Christian Wade.

Both sides served up real entertainment but the neutral may just say that Gloucs deserved that last ditch winning penalty by virtue of the superb tries our new free running team delivered.

Wade's tries were epic. They included a 90 metre interception (above)  and, in the second half, the skill and speed to kick down the wing, chase the ball into the corner and then have the reactions to read the bounce to leave the defenders flailing on the floor  floor as he sped round beneath the posts.

But the try of the game came from Freddie Thomas  (right) in the first half as Gloucs raced to their try bonus point.

He began a flowing move in his own half and finally finished it off after slick interchanges which had Bristol chasing shadows.

The Cherry and Whites were 28-15 up at the break but Bristol were also on fire,  and when they fought back to level the scores at 41-41 some may have said "blow the whistle ref."

However, Gloucs attacked and earned a penalty just outside the 22 which George Barton gratefully slotted.

More of this and Kingsholm will be packed every home game.