Mercier has to strain for quality

Jack Rowell, one of the pre-eminent characters in English rugby when the Red Rose fraternity regularly emerged from the shadows to win best in show, might be wondering just why he came out of retirement to re-enlist with his beloved Bath. The one time West Country giants, who used to have Gloucester for breakfast, were last night rooted to the bottom of the Zurich Premiership, poles apart from their near neighbours. At least they are in terms of league positions.

At the end of a match which was sold out weeks ago, the Gloucester supporters were in full mocking mode. "Going down, going down, going down," they chanted as Bath headed for another defeat. Cruelty heaped upon injustice.

In fact, Big Jack should have felt proud of his team. They did almost enough to secure a famous victory at a ground where Gloucester remain invincible. That they came away with nothing was another act of cruelty.

Nothing on God's earth, not even a pint of Scrumpy on a glorious day in the Cotswolds or Tom Walkinshaw winning the Lottery, gives the citizens of Gloucester greater pleasure than beating Bath. So they went home happy – and very relieved.

Bath were good value for their half-time lead and could have had more than one try. The last time they were at Kingsholm, they conceded nearly 70 points and Gloucester brought out a whole range of merchandise to commemorate the event.

Yesterday Bath, nudged to last place in the table by Newcastle's victory at Leeds on Friday, had a lot more about them. They caught the Cherry and Whites cold in the opening minutes. The outstanding Adam Vander silenced the Shed with a startling break which had try written all over it. In the shadow of the posts, he found Andy Beattie, who instead of passing to any number of team-mates, found Gloucester's Robert Todd.

Gloucester re-grouped and went ahead through the reliable boot of Ludovic Mercier, who kicked penalties in the 12th and 16th minutes. When Beattie was dragged down at a line-out, Olly Barkley missed the goal kick. It was a bad miss and it summed up Bath's misfortune.

However, Mike Catt, who showed Mercier a thing or two in the fly-half arts, dropped a goal following an impressive drive by his forwards, and then led a break-out after a series of collapsed scrums in which the Bath front row were under the cosh.

When Mercier, instead of clearing, was caught by Andy Williams near his own line, Bath worked the ball left where Steve Borthwick somehow managed to beat both Thinus Delport and Terry Fanolua to crash over. Barkley's conversion gave Bath the lead at 10-6, and Gloucester were feeling the strain. Their line-out was nowhere near the model of consistency of their opponents but they remained in touch. Mercier added another penalty and on the stroke of half-time, when Bath were pressing hard, they lost John Mallett, no stranger to yellow cards, to the sin-bin.

Trailing 9-10, Gloucester regained the lead in the 48th minute with a try that was the equivalent of comfort food. They kicked a penalty to the corner, Mark Cornwell took the line-out, and Olivier Azam emerged at the end of the inevitable rolling maul over the line with the ball. All this, of course, when Bath were down to 14 men.

It remained nip and tuck, Catt dropping his second goal, and Barkley exchanging penalties with Mercier. Barkley's penalty came after another outbreak of hostilities and a lengthy weapons inspection by the referee Tony Spreadbury. Mercier's fifth penalty in the 74th minute gave Gloucester a little breathing space at 22-16 and suitably encouraged, they began to turn the screw.

From a clearance kick, James Simpson-Daniel, who had had few chances to show his attacking skills, cleverly hoodwinked a couple of would-be tacklers and made a dangerous run down the right flank. When the ball was recycled, Andy Gomarsall threw out a long pass into midfield where, lurking without intent, was Azam. He in turn delivered one of the worst passes ever witnessed on a rugby field, the ball flying straight into the Shed. The message was clear – keep hookers out of the three-quarter line.

As the game went into injury time, Bath seemed sure to earn a bonus point for finishing within seven points, but then Gloucester finally gave Marcel Garvey room and the left wing finished with élan.

Bath now have an agonising wait to see if they can get out of the relegation zone. Their next game in the Premiership is on 1 March. As for Gloucester, they will welcome the Six Nations break. Living at the top of the Premiership has taken its toll. The Cherry and Whites looked tired and jaded. But Bath would give anything to swap places.

Gloucester 29 Bath 16
Tries: Azam, Garvey Try: Borthwick
Cons: Mercier 2 Con: Barkley
Pens: Mercier 5 Pen: Barkley
Drops: Catt 2

Half-time: 9-10 Attendance: 11,000

Gloucester: T Delport; M Garvey, T Fanolua, R Todd, J Simpson-Daniel; L Mercier, A Gomarsall; R Roncero, O Azam (C Fortey, 80), A Deacon, R Fidler (A Eustace, 65), M Cornwell, J Boer (capt), J Paramore, A Hazell (P Buxton, 80).

Bath: M Perry; T Voyce (A Crockett, 80), K Maggs, M Tindall, O Barkley; M Catt, A Williams; D Barnes, J Humphreys (L Mears, 70), J Mallett (A Galasso, 67), S Borthwick, D Grewcock (capt), A Beattie, N Thomas, A Vander.

Referee: T Spreadbury (Somerset).