George Skivington is sceptical about Gloucester’s play-off chances after last minute defeat to Bristol Bears

Bristol Bears dented Gloucester’s play-off hopes by snatching a last-minute try through Toby Fricker to record a 29-28 victory over the Cherry and Whites despite being reduced to 14 men.

The Bears’ first league victory in five matches has left the battle for play-off places up for grabs as Gloucester failed to capitalise on an opportunity to move into the top four.

Early tries from Harry Thacker and Andy Uren were responded to well by the Cherry and Whites who went in at halftime ahead 17-21 thanks to tries from Charlie Chapman, Louis Rees-Zammit and Chris Harris.

However a cagey second half burst into life in the final quarter of an hour and Freddie Clarke’s yellow card for slapping down a pass was punished instantaneously by Fricker to restore the Bears lead.

Yet, it seemed as though Gloucester were given a lifeline when Sam Bedlow was sent off for a high and late tackle on Adam Hastings, which allowed for the Cherry and Whites to get their nose back in front thanks to Jack Singleton’s try which made it 24-28 with five minutes left to play.

Freddie Clarke’s return to the field gave the visitors a man advantage in the final moments of the match, yet it was not enough as a penalty advantage was utilised to perfection by the Bears.

The hosts worked it wide to Fricker who evaded a challenge before placing the ball down right in the corner to win the match in the dying seconds.

Gloucester picked up two bonus points which moved them level on points with fourth-placed Exeter Chiefs having played the same amount of matches.

However,  with the Northampton Saints just two points adrift having played a game less and the Sale Sharks also within touching distance the Cherry and Whites have left the door to the play-offs ajar for their rivals.

The result left Gloucester head coach George Skivington feeling skeptical about their top-four hopes.

Skivington said:

“In all honesty, I don’t think we deserved to win or lose that match tonight, it was extremely tight but unfortunately someone had to fall the wrong side of it and it was us tonight.

“Bristol’s physicality in the first half maybe caught us off guard a little even though we spoke about it beforehand they came at us really hard and fast and in the space of a blink it was already 17-0.

“Those two bonus points could be massive or the dropped points could hurt us, I genuinely am at a point where whatever happens, happens.

“If we did get into the top four playing like that, then there is no point getting there really, we wasted opportunity after opportunity.

“You want to be there because you have earned the right to be there, and you can only get there by winning these sorts of games.

“So let’s see what happens in the last three games and see what happens with the rest of the league.”

Elsewhere, London Irish scored six tries as they comfortably dispatched the Newcastle Falcons to keep their chances of a play-off spot alive.

Exeter Chiefs face the difficult task of travelling to the Saracens looking to capitalise on Gloucester’s misfortune and extend the gap from fifth spot.

While Northampton Saints travel to Bath looking to close the gap to the top four with a resounding victory.

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