Gloucester's 19-year-old wing sensation Marcel Garvey scored a stunning hat-trick as the West Country outfit reclaimed pole position in the Zurich Premiership.

Gloucester maintained their 100 per cent record, ultimately cruising to a fourth successive league victory after Bristol had established an early 10-point advantage.

And it was Garvey who stole the show, bewildering Bristol's defence and thrilling a capacity 10,000 crowd through his mesmeric running.

Garvey struck twice during the first half, his opening try a breathtaking 60-metre effort and then he completed his treble four minutes from time by scorching clear and beating several would-be Bristol tacklers.

By the time that Garvey finished his master class, Gloucester had already secured a bonus point as number eight Junior Paramore, flanker Jake Boer and fly half Ludovic Mercier also touched down.

Mercier added 15 points from the boot, and although Bristol had their moments through tries in each half from wing Brendon Daniel and Garath Archer, they finished comprehensively beaten.

And to make matters worse for the Shoguns, they also suffered a triple injury blow as skipper Ross Beattie, new signing Daryl Gibson and full back Jamie Williams all went off.

Gloucester have now opened up a healthy advantage on top, and on this evidence they could take some catching in the race for Premiership silverware.

In stark contrast, Bristol have collected just one point from four games and are still without a Premiership victory.

The Shoguns started well, with Gibson, recently recruited from Super 12 champions Canterbury Crusaders, prominent.

Gibson's flair and invention created the opening for Daniel to claim a fifth-minute try, and fly half Felipe Contepomi converted and added a penalty to leave Gloucester with plenty of food for thought, but once Mercier got them going with a 19th minute penalty, they soon discovered their familiar attacking rhythm.

Garvey jinked his way memorably to the line from inside his own half, and Mercier's conversion tied the scores.

Although Contepomi briefly put Bristol back in front with a long-range penalty, a second Garvey score and Mercier penalty ensured that Gloucester led 18-13 at the break.

The second half was mostly one way traffic, with Boer touching down following another Mercier penalty, and despite Archer powering over from close range, Gloucester had established supreme momentum.

With 14 minutes to go, flanker Jamie Forrester ran aggressively out of defence, and Paramore finished off a sweeping 80 metre move following valuable contributions from Henry Paul, Terry Fanolua and Thinus Delport.

Bristol were now down and out, but worse was to come as Garvey and Mercier finished off a ruthless demolition job.

Gloucester received a predictable standing ovation from their supporters at the end, but this game will be remembered as the occasion when English rugby greeted another bright new star.

Teams

Gloucester: Paul, Garvey, Fanolua, Todd, Delport, Mercier, Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Vickery, Fidler, Cornwell, Boer, Forrester, Paramore.

Not Used: Stuart-Smith, Simpson-Daniel, Beim, Deacon, Azam, Buxton, Pearce.

Tries: Garvey 3, Boer, Paramore, Mercier.

Cons: Mercier 3.

Pens: Mercier 3.

Bristol: Williams, Daniel, Rees, Gibson, Christophers, Contepomi, Pichot, Crompton, McCarthy, White, Archer, A. Brown, Sturnham, Lipman, Beattie.

Not Used: Sheridan, E. Bergamaschi, Nelson, Shaw, Richards, Salter, Drahm.

Tries: Daniel, Archer.

Cons: Contepomi.

Pens: Contepomi 2.

Att: 10,000

Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).