Gloucester get season off to a winning start

Gloucester were able to secure victory in the opening game of the season for the first time since 2000, and the victory was made all the sweeter given that it was against local rivals Bath. Gloucester deserved the victory today although there is still room for improvement. But what do you expect given that it's the first game of the season. And despite the need for improvement I feel there were more positives than negatives that can be taken from the game. For a start we won.

Perhaps the biggest positive of the day was the Captaincy of Bortolami, who led the team from the jog round the pitch until the very end. He gave us the vocal leadership on the pitch we've lacked for a while and was not afraid to ruffle feathers, at one point admonishing Bucco for giving away a silly penalty at a key point in the game. Bortolami and Brown were awesome in the lineout today, in very difficult conditions, and made the much vaunted pairing of Grewcock and Borthwick look very ordinary, although Grewcock would certainly play a big part in the match.

Speaking of difficult condition, credit has to be given to Barkley and Walker, who both produced pretty good goal kicking displays. It would be harsh to be to critical of Walker touch kicking today as the wind was evil today and could not have been easy to judge.

The Pairing of Buxton and Hazell today, were simply awesome and Ryan could not praise them enough after the game. Hazell was everywhere (again) and puts his body on the line every time. I'm really at a loss to explain how he's not good enough for England. And Buxton gave nothing but 110% commitment. Although I thought Forrester had a quiet game by his standards, he's much more prepared to do the hard graft and still think this is his season to shine.

The game started off in typical derby fashion and a lot of sizing up was made with little threat to the score board. Bath probably started the stronger of the teams. Although it was Gloucester for a change who looked the more street wise and played the smarter rugby. However it was Bath who took the led through a Barkley penalty after 3 minutes. Walker soon pulled Gloucester level with a penalty of his own. Walker gave Gloucester the led in the 30th Minute with a 2nd Penalty.

Not long after that Borthwick found himself, twiddling his thumbs in the sin bin for a late hit on Walker, and he was soon joined by Stephenson for a block on Richards who was making a darting break. Although he look threatening around the fringes today, I still feel Richards needs to put more work in on his passing as it was erratic at times, still he had a solid game on the whole. Bath were punished for both offences by two Walker kicks. However Barkley pulled one back when Bortolami failed to roll away in the tackle to leave the score 12-6 at the close of the half.

It was Jack Adams who was to edge the game into Gloucester's hands, with a superb try just after half-time. Filling in out of position, on the wing, for Balshaw who limped off with what is reported to be a twisted ankle, he took his chance superbly. After good work from Mefin Davies to produce a good pass when the move looked in danger of breaking down, the ball found its way to Forrester who linked with Adams, who jinxed his way over the line superbly, when left with a difficult finish. He was quick to show the shed just how much the try meant to him! It was good to see him bounce back so well after his unfortunate injury last season, and he put in a stellar effort out of position today.

Gloucester looked good for their 19-6 led however, Borthwick stole a line out close to the Glaws line, and Grewcock was able to force his way over. Credit to Bath although out played for spells of the game they never looked out of touch, and fought quiet bravely today. I can't see them struggling in a relegation fight like many predicted if they keep playing like they did today. Gloucester soon restored the lead however, with a good break from Hazell. When the ball was recycled in the other direction Brown and Buxton were able to feed Morgan who crossed in the corner.

However it wouldn't be a Derby game unless we were in for a close finish and it was set for one, When Barkley and Davies combined to send Grewcock steaming down the line, despite the best efforts by Hazell, he powered over in the corner. After Barkley reduced the led to just a converted try with another penalty, it was time to bite the nails. However Gloucester dogged it out till the end to get the season off to the best possible start.

Of the players not mentioned I though the backs did well with the little ball they had, particularly Allen who just looks so composed and in control when ever I see him. Nick Wood had a good game in the scrum, has did all the forwards, never allowing Bath to get on top. Keil, who is much criticised, filled in well at the last minute for the injured Tindall.

After the game Dean Ryan said: "I’m really pleased because we had the courage to keep the ball in hand despite the conditions,” he said. “We’re getting better and better, and we have lots of presence in lots of positions". This is true and with Tindall, Nieto, Simpson-Daniel, Lamb and Boer to come back in, there's a lot to be positive about. In the meantime, the lads filling in look good enough to hold there own.

Russell Brookes4/9/06