Pricey's pitchside piece
I've been there many times and we've played badly and lost and we've played well and lost.We've
played really well and scraped a draw.
Today we got lucky. Had Butch James just kicked those in front of the posts we would be licking our wounds and chanting the usual mantra of "next year, next year".
I left the ground in a state of euphoria but after a few glasses of burgundy and a large glass of port I have reached the conclusion that, yes, we were lucky.
The scrum was better, albeit that we lost one against the head. The line-out was better, probably because Bath couldn't work out where Ollie's throws were meant to go. The loose was better probably down to Andy Hazell but we still lost too much ball. The control was better, indeed much better, but that said for long periods of the first half especially we had the ball, the position and the players but we still didn't threaten.
Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted that we won but the feeling I have is flat and nothing like what I
expected after our first league win at the Rec since the league began.
As I said we got lucky but it's going to take a lot more than that sort of luck if we are to break the other habit of a lifetime and win some serious silverware this season.
Mike Watkins showed his experience and Sinbad showed again his talent. Sadly Big Les offered
little more than the big collision.
No one showed any flair but that is something, I suspect, that is never talked about at Hartpury during Dean's encyclicals on how the game must, most definitely must be played. Perhaps somewhere therein lies the clue?
J.G.P - 13/9/2008

Gloucester have played better, a lot better and lost over the years than they did at the Wreck but that does nothing to take away the sense of joy after twenty years of failure to the four letter side.
Doubtless much will be made of the fact that Butch James suffered a nightmare and if only he had kicked his goals or if Olly Barkley had been in Bath colours it would have been a different result. If, that little word with such a big meaning.
The Cherry and Whites were never in total control but for long periods played the better rugby without dominating an average Bath outfit. The scrum was much improved, thanks to the muscularity of Ollie Azam and this week the line out functioned.
In the loose the pack was abrasive and competitive - what a difference the inclusion of Andy Hazell made.
Willie Walker did his job, took his chances notching up 16 points in marked contrast to the hapless James
The tense final ten minutes saw the home side add twelve points but Gloucester held out for a famous victory.
Sinbad once again looked the best wing on the pitch, a real fire cracker, in contrast Big Les was a damp squib. Time to bring back Balshaw?
Pack horse Bucko's limitations were exposed at times and poses the question as to why Strokosch is not in the starting line up?
Luke Narraway redeemed himself with a strong showing in front of England manager Martin Johnson.
The cloud of depression that has hovered over Kingsholm all week after the lacklustre Leicestrer match has lifted but there is still much to do to reach the standard achieved at the end of last season at the likes of Adams Park.
A touch of good fortune maybe at the Wreck but at the end of the season it will be points that count, not ' ifs and may bes'.
The Cherry and Whites need to take Care against high flying Harlequins next week. That will be a different challenge.
T.H. - 14/9/2008

Last week Gloucester lost because two international players were unable to execute try-scoring moves.
This week, Gloucester won because an international could not execute his goal kicking.
Good: Negating Stevens and Mears, a solid scrum, almost perfect lineouts, outstanding Olly Morgan and James Simpson-Daniel .
Not so good: Apart from a charge down and the Bath blindside going walkabout, few chances were created. Tindall has yet to find top gear, and Buxton has yet to find first.
When Bath threw the ball around we looked shaky; Harlequins are better than Bath with ball in hand, so beware next Saturday.
Great win.
S.T. 14/9/2008

Last Season - Bath 10 Gloucester 5 - Friday 4 Jan. 2008 Premiership Record versus Bath

Fixtures 2008-9 - Match Reports