Bristol's resurgence back up the Zurich Premiership table, after a
disappointing start to the season, continued as they added the scalp of
neighbours Gloucester to those of League champions Leicester, Bath and Newcastle
at the Memorial Stadium.
After the outburst by chairman Malcolm Pearce about his disillusionment with
the state of the game in this country and the way that it was being managed by
the Rugby Football Union, it was the turn of his players to show that they still
needed him at the helm to steer the club's revival.
Bristol have won their last seven home games in all competitions while
Gloucester have lost three of their last four League games.
The scores were level midway through the first half with Bristol's Argentine
international fly-half Felipe Contepomi landing two penalties and former All
Black Simon Mannix finding the mark with two out of three penalty attempts for
the visitors.
That was the way the scoreline remained despite Gloucester applying all the
pressure as they camped out in the opposition half, the visitors denied a try
when No.8 Junior Paramour was adjudged to have run into his own man.
Then late in the half Mannix landed his third penalty, while Contepomi missed
a long range attempt, to give the Cherry and Whites a 9-6 interval lead.
But early in the second period Contepomi landed three penalties in 10 minutes
to put Bristol in front.
Bristol had looked shaky in the line-outs early on with the usually dependable
lock Alex Brown missing a couple of throws before the target was switched to
include former England lock Garath Archer and No.8 Matt Salter.
With 10 minutes remaining Contepomi kicked his sixth penalty, but he missed
two drop-goal attempts.
With time running out Archer and replacement hooker Oliver Azam had a punch up
off the ball with the Frenchman sent to the sin-bin.
Man of the Match was Matt Salter of Bristol.
Bristol:
Pens: Contepomi 6.
Bristol: Best, Rees, Nabaro, Mayer, S. Brown, Contepomi,
Pichot, Gerrard, McCarthy, Crompton, Archer, A. Brown, Fenn,
C. Short, Salter.
Not Used: Williams, Fullman, Sheridan, Brownrigg, Baber,
Simone, Bowen.
Gloucester:
Pens: Mannix 3.
Gloucester: Catling, Ewens, Fanolua, Yates, Beim, Mannix,
Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Deacon, Fidler, I. Jones, Boer,
Hazell, Paramore.
Replacements: Azam for Fortey (51).
Not Used: Moncrieff, Hayward, Greenslade-Jones, Sanchez,
M. Cornwell, S. Cornwell.
Att: 8,781
Ref: Ashley Rowden (Berkshire (RFU)).
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