Clinical Bath ends Gloucester's play-off hopes

Rhys Priestland contributed 16 points for Bath
Rhys Priestland contributed 16 points for Bath
©PA

Gloucester Rugby 20 - 43 Bath Rugby, Kingsholm

Gloucester Rugby's chances of making it to the play-off in the ongoing season of Aviva Premiership is all but over as they were defeated by Bath Rugby 20-43 in their encounter at Kingsholm on Saturday.

The win has taken Bath to 51 points as they keep their faint chances of a Champions Cup qualification while Gloucester will need to beat Saracens with a bonus point in their next game and hope for Wasps to lose their remaining two fixtures to have a slim home of top four finish.

Bath dominated the first 15 minutes when Tom Dunn and Rhys Priestland crossed over int the 2nd and 14th minutes respectively with the fly-half also slotting both the conversions to take them to 14 points. Billy Twelvetrees got Gloucester off the mark with a 21st minute penalty goal but Todd Blackadder's men had complete control of the game when Aled Brew dotted down in the 26th minute.

The first try for Gloucester came in the 29th minute from Ed Slater but his effort was negated by Tom Homer before Twelvetrees kicked a penalty goal for the home side as they headed into the break with a 13-26 scoreline.

Jason Woodward's try in the 51st minute gave Gloucester hope again but once again the visitors responded back, this time a 56th minute try from Cooper Vuna that still kept them with a lead of 20-36. James Wilson notched their sixth try in the closing stage as Bath completed a 20-43 win.

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