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Christian Wade scores hat-tricks as Gloucester dismantle Bristol
By PA
Seb Atkinson and Christian Wade both scored hat-tricks as Gloucester thrashed Bristol 53-28 in a thrilling display of attacking rugby.
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George Skivington’s men moved third in the Premiership as they showed off their title credentials in style by running in nine tries.
Bristol scored four themselves and a bonus point but they were always playing catch-up.
The Kingsholm faithful had expected plenty of fast, furious and frantic running rugby and the two sides obliged.
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Gloucester surged into a 22-0 lead as ex-NFL man Wade scored the opening try, diving on a Santi Carreras kick ahead after just four minutes.
Bears then lost the ball in midfield and Josh Hathaway hacked the ball on. Carreras collected it acrobatically to feed it to Hathaway and he grabbed the second try.
Gloucester moved further ahead when Atkinson bounced off two poor tacklers to set up fellow centre Chris Harris for an easy score under the posts.
Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams’ no-look off-load to Atkinson sent the centre away to finish off another blistering move.
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Bristol finally found some respite, and got some points on the board too.
England scrum-half Harry Randall wriggled through and gifted flanker Fitz Harding the chance to touch down with ease.
The visitors had badly needed a response and they grabbed another try when centre James Williams charged his way across the Gloucester line from close range.
But Gloucester were always in control and Hathaway flew through a gap and fed the supporting Atkinson for his second try.
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Bears prop Max Lahiff bulldozed his way across but again the joy was short-lived.
Former Wasps star Wade completed the first-half entertainment with his second try and another for the home side as he soared over in the corner.
The second half began in the same way as the first with Gloucester on top and on the rampage, with two players completing their hat-tricks.
Firstly, Williams’ quick tap penalty and pass sent Atkinson rushing over for his third score.
Wade followed shortly afterwards. The wing produced a stunning piece of skill to chip through, out-pace Bristol’s last man and dive over for his treble, becoming the Premiership’s all-time leading hat-trick scorer in the process.
George Barton flew over the line with ease to bring up the half-century of points.
Second-placed Bristol showed some fight when Williams grabbed a bouncing ball five metres out to force his way over for his second try and a bonus point.
That was bloody awful. Bristol’s defensive organisation is non-existent. Gloucester strolling through gaping holes all evening.