Bristol Bears 53-12 Gloucester result - Dominant hosts score seven tries in Gallagher PREM West Country derby demolition

Bristol Bears boosted their Premiership play-off hopes with a 53-12 demolition of West Country rivals Gloucester.

The hosts ran in seven tries at Ashton Gate as they claimed the bonus point that moves them within two of fourth-placed Exeter Chiefs.

Bristol struck after just five minutes with Kieran Marmion going over under the posts, though Seb Atkinson charged down Tom Jordan's clearance for George Barton to get the visitors on the scoreboard.

However, the Bears quickly regained control with Kalaveti Ravouvou crossing twice to take his try tally for the season into double figures.

Fitz Harding then went over before a penalty try compounded a miserable first half for Gloucester, who had Seb Blake, Charlie Atkinson and Josiah Edwards-Giraud all sent to the sin bin.

Deian Gwynne did reduce the visitors' deficit to 33-12 before half-time but the hosts were quickly back in the ascendancy after the restart.

Jordan rounded off a swift counter and, after Gabriel Oghre powered over, the fly-off added a couple of penalties to round off a statement victory.

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A fiercely contested derby was expected, but the odd individual battle aside, it was far from that.

With the opportunity to apply the pressure on their fellow play-off hopefuls, Bristol made the most of it and quickly established their authority on proceedings.

Though coming off back-to-back defeats, they were far too strong for a Gloucester side lacking discipline and confidence.

The bonus point was secured by the 34th minute, with Ravouvou helping himself to a couple of tries along the way.

Eighth-place Gloucester, who were shown three yellow cards during the contest, simply had no answer, and their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions Cup have been severely dented.

Bristol Bears 53-12 Gloucester

Jordan kicks again to complete an emphatic victory.

It's Bristol's best ever against their West Country rivals, while they've also scored their most points in this fixture.

The Bears bring up the half-century, as Jordan makes no mistake off the tee from distance.

History for Bristol, with the introduction of Jack Woolmore seeing him become the player with the most Premiership appearances for the Bears.

His 139th moves him ahead of Darren Crompton on their all-time list.

Jordan appears to feel something ping as he kicks the ball away.

Though he tries to stretch it out, the fly-half is in need of further attention from the medical team.

Bristol will hope it's just a touch of cramp.

A rare lapse in discipline for the hosts, who have Barker sent to the bin.

They may be well in control, but Lam will demand his players remain concentrated to the end.

Will Trenholm thinks he's given Gloucester a consolation after stretching for the line.

However, a TMO review reveals he lost control of the ball while trying to ground it, so the try is ruled out.

Bristol can smell blood and continue pushing for further tries.

Batley thinks he has gone over, but Gloucester just about manage to hold him up.

The hosts have their seventh try!

Bristol are far too strong and powerful for their opponents, pressing from the lineout with Oghre forcing his way over.

Williams converts as the Bears close in on the 50-point mark.

From a Bristol lineout, Jordan unleashes a huge kick that lands just outside the opposition 22.

Can the hosts push for try number seven?

The two-try winger is given a well-earned breather, as is Marmion.

Randall and Heward come on for the final half-hour.

Here we go again!

Charlie Atkinson's offload is intercepted by Jordan, who races away on the counter, and lays it off to Ravouvou.

The latter is brilliantly tackled by Thorley, but he feeds Jordan for the try, with Williams converting.

Sam Warburton offers his verdict on Gloucester's first-half performance...

"They [Gloucester] have been too passive in defence," he says. "Their exits have been poor. Bristol, conversely, they're finding the edges really well, and their defence has been brilliant.

"When you look at when Gloucester are defending compared to Bristol, there's just a lot more hostility, a lot more aggression when Bristol are defending. When they've got the ball, unlike weeks gone by, they are so much more accurate in the 22, probably because the defence is a little bit more passive, but those passes are sticking now.

"They're finding the edges really well in the 22. When they get entries, they convert. And they do tighten up as well, they've had a nice mix. They've gone wide with Ravouvou, and they tightened up in the pick and go game as well. So much improvement."

We're off and running again at Ashton Gate!

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