Bath 3-18 Gloucester, Aviva Premiership, October 1
Redpath backs Gloucester to kick on
October 1, 2010
Gloucester's Nicky Robinson slots a kick, Bath v Gloucester, Aviva Premiership, The Rec, Bath, England, October 1, 2010
Gloucester's Nicky Robinson slots a kick at The Rec © Getty Images
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Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath hopes his side's rare but convincing 18-3 win at Bath can be a turning point in their season.

Fly-half Nicky Robinson was a pivotal player - carrying out Redpath's tactical plan to the letter - while Bath's decision-making and handling cost them dear. "The conditions we knew would be a leveller," declared a delighted Redpath. "It was crucial to get field position, turn them and put pressure on their back three. We got two tries from that."

Robinson had to be replaced at the interval but by that time he had scored a try and two penalties and also converted a try by Lesley Vainikolo. Redpath added, "Nicky pulled a hamstring after 25 minutes. He struggled on with it but at half-time it just tightened up.

"The tries came first from his high ball which we turned over and his grubber through for his try. There were a lot of good things from him. Nicky has his 'knockers' and people say this and that but what he is is a very talented rugby player. When he sticks to that script that we have and he plays the game that he is comfortable with, he's one of the best around."

Asked if he thought this was likely to be a turning point in the season, Redpath said: "I'd like to think so."

Bath head coach Steve Meehan could hardly believe how poorly his team performed. "My first impressions are that, tactically, we probably made every wrong decision we could in the first 20 minutes.

"Gloucester just made all the right ones, made all the running, grew in confidence and exposed us at every opportunity. By half-time a lot of damage had been done. Our enthusiasm levels were raised in the second half but we couldn't hold on to the ball long enough to turn any of our field positions into points."

Meehan said it was too early to provide an injury assessment on Lewis Moody who left the field with an eye injury after a collision. With a big Heineken Cup date looming next weekend against Biarritz, skipper Luke Watson was another casualty with a sore back.

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