In case you missed it see what’s in this section
We recommend
Let's Talk
Your Total Guide To sport
Bath Rugby 11 Gloucester 15: Player Ratings
Bath Rugby came face-to-face with local rivals Gloucester on Friday evening, in a West Country derby both sides were determined not to lose. Total Sport's Stephen Tred braved the blustery conditions of the Rec to provide his player ratings.
A match where game management was king, the final result of 11-15 to Gloucester gave the cherry and whites their first win in four years at the Recreation Ground. Meanwhile Bath have now chalked up six consecutive losses in all competitions and are desperately searching for form in a season where the top four is becoming an increasingly distant dream.
Max Lahiff - 7 - The Bath pack were consistently on top throughout both halves and Lahiff looked imposing with the ball in hand, a player who always seems to give Bath a much needed go forward in attack. The scrum was very much on top throughout the match, providing a great source of penalties and Lahiff was a key element of that dominance. His game also features a fierce hand off that seems to repel even the biggest of units.
Rob Webber - 7 - Recently announcing that he would be departing the Rec at the end of the season for Sale Sharks, Webber showed Bath exactly what they will be missing. Active in the loose and consistent at the set piece, Webber hit every single one of his line out jumpers and controlled the ball in the scrum.
David Wilson - 6 - Was part of a Bath pack that continued to go forward, it was a shame that Wilson wasn't able to showcase his ball carrying abilities due to atrocious conditions but was consistently making an impact in both the set piece, rucks and mauls. Bath fans loved seeing Wilson getting stuck into Gloucester, not backing down to any challenge offered up by the cherry and whites.
Stuart Hooper - 6 - Returning to the starting line up Hooper proved how important he is to Bath’s set piece. Calling the shots in a line out that was the most consistent its been all season, Hoops led from the front. Not giving an inch to any Gloucester player, the Bath captain was everywhere. he was great around the breakdown, even managing the occasional turn over. However his side might have missed his on the field leadership later on in the game.
Dominic Day - 7 - Scored his first ever Premiership try for Bath at the back of a driving maul that even featured a few backs for extra oomph. Day was again part of a pack that was consistent in the set piece, controlling the line out well and adding some grunt up front. His score gave Bath confidence, with many expecting it to build confidence throughout the team that in turn would then see them push on.
Matt Garvey - 6 - Active in the loose and a shame he had to come off so early. Looked to be getting back to his best and was part of a set piece that functioned incredibly well. Again another jumper that Webber hit, even with increasing Gloucester pressure. Was great around the breakdown and kept up the pressure on a Gloucester side that then in turn made mistakes in the first half.
Francois Louw - 7 - Quite a quiet game by Louw’s incredibly high world-class standards, as always he was dangerous around the breakdown and proved why he is so important to the team. Stole a few turnovers and offered an experienced head once Hooper departed the field. Added impetus to a string of driving mauls that asserted Baths dominance through the forwards early on. Chucked himself about and tackled his heart out in a defence that never actually leaked a try.
Leroy Houston - 7 - Classic Leroy, carried the ball incredibly well and always seemed to need 3 guys hanging onto him to bring him down. Has consistently given Bath go forward this season and visibly gives his all to the cause. In an ever expanding sea of number eights, Leroy is still the best option. Could have maybe kept the ball in the scrum when Bath seemed to be rumbling over for a try in the first half but you can’t blame him for trying when you're 5 meters out.
Chris Cook - 6 - Cook showcased his absolute monster of a left boot and managed the game relatively well. Once Eastmond left the pitch he was probably one of Bath’s best tactical kickers and was fanatic at pressurising the opposition. However he also seemed to slow down some opportunities by not providing quick ball and instead setting up pods of forwards or taking a while with box kicks, this of course could have been down to the conditions or the game plan.
Dan Bowden - 5 - After an impressive debut last week at Saracens, it was clear that Bowden needs more time to gel with the team. His day was made even harder once Eastmond ,an alternative first phase receiver, left the field and a make shift backline of himself, Clark and Banahan was formed. Came off second best in various rounds of aerial ping pong against the cherry and whites. Started to lose his head in the second half in terms of kicking and didn't manage play terribly well however he must be given more time, seeing as he has only been at the club for five minutes.
Horacio Agulla - 6 - Didn't get to see much of the ball but when he did Horacio carried well, always seems to be able to stay on his feet in contact and managed to deal quite well with Gloucester's aerial bombardment. It was a typically hard day for wingers to get involved due to the weather conditions and the type of game it became. Bath fans enjoyed seeing him run the ball back in the final 20 minutes though, instead of kicking it.
Kyle Eastmond - 8 - Only on for 27 minutes due to injury but was massively influential, looked dangerous and put in a good quality kick to get Bath on the front foot. Showcased his slick handling and alongside Banahan looked incredibly threatening in attack. Disappointing to see him come off so early as he gives Bath a creative edge that others aren't able to replicate. Eastmond was also able to take the pressure off Bowden by acting as a first receiver whilst on the pitch.
Matt Banahan - 8 - Bath’s Man of the match. Banners was absolutely brilliant and didn't deserve to be on the losing side. Putting in some trademark big hits in defence and punching holes in attack Banahan was Bath’s biggest threat going forward and at points looked like he was dragging his team to the finishing line. Continued to play with his head up throughout, clearing out rucks, making a nuisance of himself and even getting involved in driving mauls. The lad was absolutely everywhere. He also seemed to be wrongfully penalised late on for a knock on that appeared to go backwards.
Semesa Rokoduguni - 7 - As always Roko looked threatening whenever he had the ball in his hands, put in some big hits in defence and did well to manage Gloucester’s aerial assault in the second half. Similarly to Agulla, Roko wasn't afforded much space by a well marshalled Gloucester defence and didn't get many chances in attack due to the weather conditions. He consistently got a good reception from Bath fans whenever he chose to run the ball back at Gloucester, instead of kicking it to them.
Tom Homer - 6 - Hit and miss, Homer still doesn't seem to have discovered the form that made him such a sought after player at London Irish. Neither Hook or Homer had a great time of the tee due to the conditions however, similarly to Bowden, he seemed to come off second best to Gloucester in terms of tactical kicking. Homer’s kicking from hand seemed inconsistent, with many of the rec faithful wanting him to run with ball instead of kicking it, especially in the final 20 minutes of the match.
Tom Dunn - 6 - Came on with 15 minutes to go for Webber. Lost one line out due to an ambitious throw to the back of the line, which the wind took. However he recovered and didn't miss a single throw after that. Continued to give Bath a go forward in the pack, adding impetus to both rucks and mauls.
Nathan Catt - 6 - Came on for Lahiff after 56 minutes. He gave away a penalty for raising an opponents leg whilst a maul was formed however he was solid in a scrum that was consistently winning penalties. He was frequently supporting runners around the breakdown, offering to run with the ball in hand and added bulk to the Bath pack.
Henry Thomas - 6 - Came on for Wilson early on in the second half. Continued his good work by giving Bath massive go forward in the scrum. Bath’s set piece as a whole was well managed and looked to have performed better than Gloucester's. Similarly to Wilson, he wasn't able to showcase his talent in the loose due to the weather conditions but got the ball in his hand when he could and added his bulk to a forward pack that always seemed to be going forward.
Charlie Ewels - 6 - Came on for Hooper with about 20 minutes to go. A real talent who managed the line out well and got about the park. Got stuck into rucks and mauls whilst also working hard around the breakdown. Ewels has really broken into the first team this season and is making the most of every opportunity, whilst also impressing the Rec faithful.
Tom Ellis - 6 - Came on for Day with 15 minutes to go. Played well and similarly to Ewels looks like a fantastic prospect. The duo combined well to make a great partnership, with Ellis chucking his weight around in the loose and in defence. Was also influential in a consistent line out, ultimately the set piece was never really a problem.
Alafoti Faosiliva - 6 - Replaced Matt Garvey after 45 minutes. Was a victim of the poor conditions, both knocking the ball on and losing it in contact. Again like the entirety of the forwards, he had a good game and was well organised at the set piece, both the line out and the scrum were imposing and created a great platform for Bath. Added a bit of grunt up front but didn't get too many opportunities to run head on at the Gloucester defence due to their organisation.
Niko Matawalu - 6 - Came on for Cook with 7 minutes to go. Arguably should have been given more time as he looked lively when he came on. Gave Bath some much needed impetus in the last few minutes and looked dangerous around the fringes, whilst also providing quick ball. Wasn't tested on his tactical kicking due to the fact Bath were looking to run the ball back by the time he got onto the field. Although he might be seen as slightly chaotic he does give Bath a nice burst of pace.
Max Clark - 6 - Was introduced into the game early on due to Eastmond’s unfortunate injury and so was on the field after 27 minutes. An incredibly different player compared to Eastmond but was solid in defence and made a few threatening runs. However he wasn't really given much ball to work with and had to learn on the job being placed alongside the make shift combination of himself, Banahan and Bowden. Gloucester defence managed to keep him relatively quiet throughout the game.
You can follow Stephen for more Bath Rugby updates on Twitter here.
Weather in Bath
Listings