Gloucester Rugby were 41-44 victors over West Country rivals Bristol Bears on Friday night, with the main story coming from Gloucester Winger Christian Wade, who scored a hat-trick at Ashton Gate.
Wade made his return to the Premiership after six years away, spending that time in NFL as well as a spell at Racing 92. The winger made history on the night, becoming the Premiership hat-trick record holder with his tally rising to six, as well as upping his league try count to 85, levelling with Danny Care and coming ever closer to Chris Ashton’s incredible, 101.
Sitting comfortably, @ChrisAshton1? 😉@ChristianWade3 is back up-and-running in the @premrugby tries.
— Gloucester Rugby 🍒 (@gloucesterrugby) September 27, 2024
🎥 @rugbyontnt#BRIvGLO | 🐻🍒 pic.twitter.com/Uxre71SNmY
He said: “You know, I can say nothing but good about Wadey, but we do want him to score tries. I think tonight, you know, hopefully that gets the ball rolling. He got himself in a bit of space tonight and his interception, particularly, was a key moment in the game.
“He’s another bloke who enjoys himself. He is you know, loud off the field, and it’s entertaining, but again, he backs it up. Trains hard, works hard, he’s just a good bloke all-round.”
Once, twice, three times a Wadey… pic.twitter.com/uVuo5ewfgs
— Gloucester Rugby 🍒 (@gloucesterrugby) September 27, 2024
It was an 85 point thriller at Ashton Gate, with both teams giving it all they had right up until the final whistle, and Cherry and Whites coach Skivington highlighted the importance of being brave in attack, as well as, physical in defence.
“I think the big thing for me is the character shown. I think again, if we’re brave in attack, we’ve also got to be physical in defence and be brave in defence and I thought the lads did that.
“Bristol got through a few too many times. You know, we’re not the first team they do that against. The early try, you know, that’s great from Bristol, but it’s also a little bit of an error from us.”
The Bears went ahead after just 66 seconds through Gabriel Ibitoye, breaking the Cherry and White defensive line, crawling over the line to open the scoring.
Scorcher 🔥
— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) September 27, 2024
🐻 7-7 🍒 (10 mins)#BRIvGLO | #BristolBears pic.twitter.com/PAU2DSyH3M
Gloucester named a few younger faces in the line up which was a surprise to many when the team news was announced. However, the youthful players stood up strong and played a massive part in earning the away side a huge win, at a ground they hadn’t won at, in their last six premiership visits.
Harry Taylor, Afo Fasogbon and George Barton were involved heavily in the battle, with Fasogbon getting the better of England regular Ellis Genge. Barton leaving the field with 100% conversion rate and a 19-point haul and Taylor being an integral part of the victory.
78' | 👟🏉
— Gloucester Rugby 🍒 (@gloucesterrugby) September 27, 2024
George Barton kicks us in front.
🐻 41 – 44 🍒 | #BRIvGLO pic.twitter.com/iOwIyFPwyR
“I think Afo (Fasogbon) got taught a lesson on the first Scrum, and he found a way on the second scrum of dealing with it. And I think that’s, that’s the sign of a good player, you know, he’s learning fast. He’s diligent. He learned very quickly in there and in the dark art side of it.
“Harry (Taylor) was brilliant. You know we look back now at how he didn’t get much game time last year, but I’ve made him Captain many times for Premiership Rugby Cup games and things like that. Last year wasn’t the year that anyone wanted for him. But he went over to New Zealand for the summer so we could get him some game time at the end of the year. He’s come back and his attitude is brilliant.”
