Gloucester edge Bristol to stay top of PREM Cup pool

Gloucester Rugby maintained their position at the top of their PREM Rugby Cup pool with a gritty 16-8 victory over Bristol Bears in wet and difficult conditions at Ashton Gate.

The hosts dominated possession in the opening exchanges but struggled to convert pressure into points.

Gloucester, by contrast, made their first meaningful visit to the Bristol 22 count. After earning a series of penalties close to the line, scrum-half Mikey Austin spotted a gap at the base of the ruck and sniped over for the opening try. George Barton added the conversion to give the Cherry and Whites a 7-0 lead.

Bristol responded soon after when full-back Rich Lane was released out wide and crossed in the corner. Sam Worsley was unable to convert, keeping the score tight. Gloucester continued to threaten but were repeatedly turned over as the Bears defended strongly.

Late in the half, Bristol edged in front when Worsley landed a long-range penalty following a maul infringement, sending the hosts into the break narrowly ahead with 8-7 lead.

Gloucester regained control immediately after the restart. Barton kicked an early penalty to restore the visitors’ lead before adding another on the hour mark to stretch the advantage to five points.

As the weather worsened, Bristol attempted to force their way back into the contest but handling errors and breakdown turnovers, particularly from James Venter and Matías Alemanno, halted their momentum. Barton missed one ambitious penalty attempt from distance but remained composed when it mattered.

A third successful Barton penalty in the closing stages sealed the contest, ensuring Gloucester saw out the match without conceding a second-half score. The final whistle confirmed a disciplined away win and another important four points for the Cherry and Whites.

Team line up:

Bristol: Lane; Harris, Elizalde, Bates, Ibitoye; Worsley, Wolstenholme; Lahiff, Thacker (c), Halliwell; Dun, Owen, Taylor, Ivanishvili, Grondona.

Reserves: Gwilliam, Grahamslaw, Scott, Barker, Edwards, Pepper, Weston, Powell.

Gloucester: Barton; Hathaway, Edwards-Giraud, Knight, Thorley; Atkinson, Austin; Bleuler, Blake, Fasogbon; Bokenham, Alemanno, Trenholm, Taylor (c), Clement.

Reserves: Boyle-Tiatia, McArthur, Knight, Basham, Venter, Price, Byrne, Butler.