Bristol resist late fightback from Gloucester to seal 20-17 win

Bristol Bears 20 - 17 Gloucester Rugby, Ashton Gate

Bristol Bears managed to hold off late fightback from Gloucester Rugby as they sealed a 20-17 thrilling win in the second round of the Premiership Rugby Cup at Ashton Gate on Friday.

Bristol currently are at the third position in Pool 2 with four points while Gloucester are languishing at the bottom after losing both the games.

The opening quarter was total domination from Bristol with Harry Thacker touching down in the fifth minute and Callum Sheedy followed it with conversion and kicked two more penalty goals taking them to a 13-0 lead.

Just around the half hour mark, Joe Simpson provided a breakthrough for Gloucester with a try on his own that narrowed down the gap to eight points before the break.

The hosts further strengthened their hold in the game with Charlie Powell strolling over the line in the 45th minute and Sheedy's conversion making it 20-5.

Tries from Ruan Ackermann and Gerbrandt Grobler in the 60th and 78th minutes respectively provided Gloucester hope but Bristol managed to hold off as they sealed a thrilling three point victory.