A local derby to start the season seems in vogue for Bath these days, Bristol away last year and Glawster away this year: a tough start to any campaign. We've had a mixed bag of fortune over the last few seasons and it's disappointing we have to add another "Lost" to the following list:

Bath took an early lead after just four minutes when Olly Barkely's kick at goal was caught by the wind but it managed to cling on to the cross bar and crawl over. Barkley did well in difficult weather conditions, especially as Nick Walshe had to hold the ball. Within a few moments Willie Walker's 40 metre attempt at goal drifted to the left of the posts.

Glawster drew level after 10 minutes with their first successful penalty, having enjoyed several minutes of concerted pressure on the Bath line but the visitors' defence held up until the referee decided they had infringed to keep Glawster at bay. Within a few minutes Bath had an attacking opportunity but Glawster put Shaun Berne under too much pressure and he was forced to drop kick at goal, unfortunately for Bath it failed to hit the mark.

Bath survived a Glawster try scoring opportunity after 18 minutes when the home crowd cried for a late tackle on Willie Walker as he was very close to the Bath line. Nick Walshe touched down the loose ball in the Bath in-goal area which set up a Glawster five metre scrum. David Flatman showed his back and neck problems appear to be behind him as he totally out-scrummaged Christian Califano to clear the danger. It was only after Flatman was replaced by David Barnes late in the game that the Glawster prop looked comfortable.

Ten minutes before half-time Bath were penalised on half-way and then punished by Willie Walker with a successful penalty kick after a Bath player stupidly threw the ball away only to find his colleagues marched back 10 metres. In a very tight match Bath couldn't afford this ill-discipline. To compound matters Steve Borthwick was sin-binned for a late tackle on Willie Walker as the Glaws No 10 tried to chip the Bath skipper which handed the home team another three points.

Olly Barkley reduced the deficit to three points with a penalty after 36 minutes with another excellent kick.

Right on half-time Michael Stephenson was sin-binned for not allowing Iain Balshaw to release the ball close to the Bath line. Glawster grabbed the late penalty to make the score 12-6 to the home side at half time and with the visitors just having 13 men on the pitch.

David Bory limped off just before half-time to be replaced by Joe Maddock and Michael Lipman was replaced by Zak Feau'nati as blood poured from his eye. Lipman returned for the second half but was again replaced by Feau'nati as this unluckiest of players picked up another injury.

Bath got off to a disastrous second half when Glawster scored after three minutes following a Lee Mears' over-throw at a Bath line out. The end result saw Iain Balshaw replacement, Jack Adams, break several tackles to score the first try of the match. Walker continued his excellent kicking duties to make the score 19-6. Balshaw, another unlucky player with his injury tally, picked up a knock on his ankle in the first half and failed to appear after the half-time oranges.

Seven minutes later Olly Barkley had a chance to reduce the Glawster lead, after Califano had been penalised again for poor scrummaging, with a 40 metre kick but the ball drifted wide to the frustration of visiting players and supporters alike. But the frustration turned to joy within a few minutes after a Glawster line-out was snatched by Steve Borthwick and the Bath pack trundled over the line with Danny Grewcock emerging with the score. Barkley's kick failed but the try took the score to 19-11 and Bath were in the game once more.

But the Bath comeback was not to last for long and, when the Glawster attackers greatly outnumbered the back-tracking defenders, it was always likely that another home try was on the cards. The Shed was not to be disappointed as full-back Olly Morgan crossed the whitewash with the cheers of the home supporters ringing in his ears. Walker missed the conversion to keep the score at 24-11. Glawster continued to turn the screw and almost from the kick-off they were back on the Bath line but the Blue, Black and White defence held firm.

With just nine minutes to go Bath were determined to show they weren't out of the game as Danny Grewcock charged 20 metres down the wing to score his second try of the game. What commitment from the 33 year-old international who's seen it all before. It would have been easy for the big man see out the game knowing it was likely to be lost. But no, he was as determined at the end as he was at the beginning - great show Danny! Unfortunately Barkley's kick was, once again, wide of the mark. However he rediscovered his kicking skills after 75 minutes with a penalty which took Bath to within one score of their opponents.

Bath took the initiative and attacked the Glawster red zone in the knowledge that another try could give them a draw but they tried too hard and were penalised for holding on to the ball to give the home side the opportunity to make one final clearance and so grab the spoils 24-19.

Bath showed heart towards the end when the game was well out of their grasp. The hard won bonus point could make a big difference come the end of the year.

Right, let's get on to the Rec for our first home game of the season - bring on the Tigers!!

Referee: Sean Davey

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