Gloucester booked themselves a Powergen Cup quarter-final trip to London Irish
next month after James Forrester inspired a thrilling West County derby victory
at the Memorial Stadium.
The 20-year-old openside flanker, a member of England's World Series sevens
squad, scored three tries as an experimental Gloucester team - coach Philippe
Saint-Andre fielded four Academy players and Henry Paul at fly-half - brushed
Bristol aside with some ease.
Forrester - one of that Academy quartet - led the way through a barnstorming
display, Gloucester finishing comfortably on top despite Paul missing four kicks
from nine attempts.
The lead changed hands five times, but Gloucester took the try-count five to
two, an injury-time touchdown from substitute Marcel Garvey rubbing salt into
Bristol's gaping wounds.
The home side held a 20-18 lead midway through the third quarter, but with
Forrester at the helm, Gloucester then produced some breathtaking rugby to
delight their sizeable contingent of travelling supporters among a 5,000 crowd.
Bristol were quickest out of the starting blocks, though, centre Phil
Christophers making a superb second-minute break and sending former England wing
David Rees clear on the overlap for a simple try.
Argentine fly-half Felipe Contepomi made good with the conversion.
Although ex-rugby league star Paul, who had played all his previous Gloucester
games at inside centre, slotted a sixth-minute penalty, the visitors quickly
suffered another blow.
Centre Robert Todd was sin-binned by referee Steve Lander for playing the ball
from an offside position.
And when Contepomi booted the subsequent penalty, Bristol appeared to be in
the driving seat, holding a 10-3 advantage before Gloucester had got out of
first gear.
However, the response from the visitors was of the highest quality.
Debutant number eight Pierre Caillet made the hard yards through Bristol's
defence and centre Terry Fanolua finished off from 25 metres, with Paul's
conversion tying the game at 10-10.
Bristol could not capitalise on their temporary one-man advantage and with the
quality entertainment continuing, Gloucester posted a contender for try of the
season just before half-time.
The hosts looked as though they would score in the corner, but wing James
Simpson-Daniel produced a fierce tackle on Rees, dislodging the ball which he
then picked up to embark on a weaving 70-metre run.
With Bristol defenders frantically scampering back, Simpson-Daniel cleverly
delayed his delivering of the final pass, but when he did let it go, Forrester
was in support to touchdown and cap a superb move.
Trailing 15-10 at the break, Bristol required just five minutes of the second
period to reclaim the lead.
Gloucester found themselves under pressure and full-back Lee Best powered over
despite the attentions of several defenders - and Contepomi's conversion set the
tone for an outstanding 40 minutes.
Paul and Contepomi then exchanged further penalties, but with Saint-Andre
using his substitutes sensibly - he had four internationals on the bench -
Gloucester really showed what they were made of.
Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall and number eight Junior Paramore entered the arena,
and Forrester then exploded through a sizeable Bristol defensive hole for his
second try.
Trailing by three points, Bristol rounded off a spell of ascendancy when
Contepomi kicked another penalty, levelling the scores at 23-23 and guaranteeing
a fitting finale for what had been a memorable cup tie.
Typically, it was Forrester who dragged Gloucester back in front, combining
superb handling and kicking skills with a clever chip and chase from 25 metres
that ended with him re-gathering the ball and touching down.
Paul converted, and deep into stoppage time, Garvey finished off the job
following a robust charge from another Gloucester replacement, England prop Phil
Vickery.
Paul's conversion saw him finish with 12 points as Gloucester marched on to
the next round - and Bristol could have few complaints after ending up a distant
second best.
Teams:
Bristol: Best, Rees, Christophers, Little, S. Brown, Contepomi,
Pichot, Johnstone, Nelson, Crompton, Sturnham, A. Brown, Short,
Vander, Brownrigg.
Replacements: Higgins for S. Brown (47),
Payne for Johnstone (69), McCarthy for Nelson (47).
Not Used: Lipman, Drahm, Blake, Carrington.
Tries: Rees, Best. Cons: Contepomi 2. Pens: Contepomi 3.
Gloucester: Goodridge, Frape, Fanolua, Todd, Simpson-Daniel,
Paul, Yachvili, Woodman, Fortey, Deacon, Cornwell, Eustace,
Sewabu, Forrester, Caillet.
Replacements: Mercier for Goodridge (48),
Garvey for Frape (79), Gomarsall for Yachvili (52),
Vickery for Woodman (63), Pucciarello for Deacon (64),
Hazell for Sewabu (74), Paramore for Caillet (58).
Sin Bin: Todd (13).
Tries: Fanolua, Forrester 3, Garvey. Cons: Paul 3.
Pens: Paul 2.
Att: 5,363
Ref: Steve Lander (RFU).
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