Battling Gloucester fall to derby defeat at The Rec

The Cherry & Whites took an early lead in the derby when flanker Ruan Ackermann crashed over for the game's first try.

A couple of infringements at set-piece had given Gloucester a free-kick five metres from the Bath line.

A neat tap move saw former Bath man, Zach Mercer, transfer the ball to Ackermann who powered over from close range. Another ex-Bath player, Adam Hastings, added the conversion from in front of the posts. 0-7.

Bath's Tom de Glanville got the home side on the ball with ten minutes left of the first period. Good interplay down the blindside from the Blue, Black & Whites put Will Muir in the clear, who connected with his back-three colleague for their opening score. Finn Russell failed to add a tricky conversion. 5-7.

Gloucester further extended their advantage shortly after though, with a penalty from Hastings. 5-10.

Half-time: Bath Rugby 5-10 Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester were dealt a painful blow immediately after half-time when Muir crossed for a try. The winger kicked through the legs of the covering Gloucester defender and regathered to score in the corner. Russell's wide conversion nudged the home side ahead for the first time in the game. 12-10.

GJ van Velze crossed the line for Bath and was awarded a try by referee Christophe Ridley, but TMO inspection revealed brilliant work from Gloucester to hold the ball up in goal.

Santi Carreras was sent to the sin bin for Gloucester for a deliberate knock on.

Bath made the numbers count moments later when de Glanville sliced through for his second try. Russell's missed conversion kept Gloucester within a score. 17-10.

Gloucester had a chance to level the scores as they attacked the Bath line, having all the possession in the final ten minutes. But the Cherry & Whites couldn't get over the line as Bath held strong.

They tried to find something from deep in the last play of the game, attacking out of their own 22, but a turnover penalty for the home side sealed the derby win for Bath.

Full-time: Bath Rugby 17-10 Gloucester Rugby

The Cherry & Whites return to European Rugby Challenge Cup action next weekend, when they take on Edinburgh Rugby in the Scottish capital.