| Despite the game having been moved from the Rec to Cleve RFC (many thanks to Cleve for hosting the match at such late notice!), the United team seemed oblivious to this disruption and set about trying to gain a repeat of the earlier fixture between the two sides at Kingsholm, when United won 42-28.
The derby match promised to be an entertaining affair, with both sides featuring first team players brought in for the match. Whilst the Gloucester side saw the likes of scrum half Mike Prendergast, wing Mark Foster and tight head prop Jack Forster join the ranks of the relatively inexperienced, yet promising, team, Bath United had eight first team players play half, if not a full match, including flanker James Scaysbrook, prop Lorne Ward and winger Ian Davey, who is still officially on the Academy books.
The extra experience in the United team proved to be the difference between the two teams, as the senior Bath players helped steer the younger team members in the right direction, allowing a fast game to develop.
Luke Cozens had a particularly impressive game for the home side, scoring 16 of the 56 points, converting all eight tries for a 100% kicking record on the night, continuing his exciting development for the club.
The tries were shared between the more experienced squad members and the academy boys throughout the match, with Ian Davey and Sean Lilley scoring two each, as well as Mike Baxter, Chris Goodman and Chris Jones touching down over the line.
Whilst both teams attempted to run the ball and create a fast flowing game, with help from some good referring by Ashley Rowden, Gloucester had little in return to United’s frenzied pace of attack, only scoring two tries either side of the half, with successful conversions both times from Mark Davies. Final score, 56-14.
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