Bristol start well but suffer Glos onslaught
Looked good on debut
By Duncan Wood
September 21 2002
Bristol made a great start but the losses of Ross Beattie and Daryl Gibson through injury hit the Shoguns hard. A valiant effort was undone in the last 10 minutes when Gloucester ran riot and ran out 45-18 winners.
We were, quite simply, beaten by a better team today. There were a couple of key moments which pushed the game Gloucester's way but they deserved to win.
Gloucester have an effective formula. They have a strong pack who play the set pieces well. Their midfield knock down everything that moves. They've got pace out wide and they've got Ludovic Mercier's left boot.
Bristol actually started strongly and achieved the notable feat of shutting the Shed up after only a few minutes. Daryl Gibson had already given the Shoguns' supporters cause for optimism with a strong early run and some solid defence and he featured in the first score.
It was untidy ball. Ross Beattie was tackled and the ball went backwards untidily. Agustin Pichot could only kick it backwards and a Gloucester hack forward found Gibson. He passed to Brendon Daniel who made the most of some lightweight Gloucester tackling to sidestep and spin his way over. Contepomi's conversion made it 7-0.
Unfortunately, Beattie hurt an achilles or an ankle and he was replaced by Matt Salter after only a few minutes. But Bristol continued to press and Phil Christophers came within a yard or so of a second score. Julian White and Chris Fortey were lectured for indiscrections at the ruck but Bristol got the penalty and Contepomi nailed it for a 10-0 lead.
Sadly, Gibson was hurt in the build up and had to be replaced by Martin Shaw. His departure was a turning point. Mercier reduced the gap with a penalty before Marcel Garvey produced a moment of brilliance on 20 minutes.
Bristol were actually a little unfortunate when an advantage applied by Tony Spreadbury didn't really do them any favours but there didn't appear to be much on when Garvey got the ball on the right. However, he ducked and weaved his way past most of the Bristol pack and only David Rees got close enough to lay hands on him on his way to the posts. Mercier's conversion levelled the scores at 10 each.
Contepomi added a penalty but Gloucester applied the pressure and Garvey struck again only a few minutes before the interval. Again, a so called advantage left Bristol under pressure. Gloucester worked the ball right and Junior Paramore put Garvey over. However, the TV replays clearly showed that he didn't ground the ball but fumbled it going over.
Mercier missed the conversion but added a penalty in injury time to make it 18-13 at the break.
The first 20 minutes would be crucial and Gloucester edged it. Mercier added another penalty and then Vickery boldly elected to kick for the corner with a penalty. For the one and only time in the game, the Gloucester pack outclassed their Bristol counterparts in the rolling maul and Jake Boer went over.
It was looking ominous for Bristol for, to their credit, they made a game of it. Mike Lipman so nearly hung onto an interception and David Rees almost wriggled clear.
From a Gloucester lineout, Mike Lipman won the ball at the tail and was pulled down only a few yards short. Felipe Contepomi almost made the line but Garath Archer was in support and he crashed over. Contepomi missed the conversion so it was 26-18.
Bristol were in the middle of a good phase and established a good platform in the Gloucester 22. They were pressing for a crucial score when the ball was turned over and Gloucester ran it the length of the pitch with a fine move involving Forrester, Paul and Fanolua before Paramore went over in the corner.
It was a sickening blow for Bristol and it really killed the match. Gloucester smelled blood and Bristol fell apart slightly. Mercier went over for the 5th try and Garvey produced another moment of individual brilliance to score his hat trick.
The final score was 45-18 which maybe slightly flattered Gloucester although they were worthy winners.
Analysis to follow.