Head coach Richard Hill insists Bristol can avoid relegation from the Guinness Premiership despite another defeat.
Bristol boss upbeat despite derby defeat
Head coach Richard Hill remains upbeat about Bristol's chances of avoiding relegation from the Guinness Premiership despite a comprehensive defeat to Gloucester.
Hill's side went down 29-10 at home to their west country rivals, as Gloucester left the Memorial Stadium with a bonus point thanks to tries from Mike Tindall (two), Olly Morgan and Lesley Vainikolo.
While the result confirmed Gloucester's status as strong title play-off contenders, Bristol will end 2008 three points adrift of 11th-placed Newcastle. But head coach Hill said: "Our chances are still good.
"We have got Newcastle and Worcester to play at home, which are clearly games we've got to win.
"We've got to try to pick up results against some of the lower-placed teams. This was always going to be one of those seasons when it was going to be up and down.
Threat
"We had a bad start, although Olly Morgan took his try really well, and it was just a poor game from our point of view.
"The pressure began to tell on us in the second half, and Mike Tindall's first try broke the back of us."
Tindall's second try secured a five-point maximum after Gloucester wing Vainikolo also breached Bristol's defence.
Bristol, despite a late David Lemi touchdown, were outgunned 4-1 on tries. They competed consistently in the forward exchanges, but offered little threat out wide.
Bristol's February 13 showdown with Newcastle already has "relegation decider" written all over it, and on today's evidence, they could struggle to stay afloat - despite Hill's optimism.
Real energy
Gloucester hardly hit top form, yet fly-half Ryan Lamb slotted a penalty and two conversions, while centre Olly Barkley also kicked a conversion to complement their team's try-scoring efforts.
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan said: "I am pretty pleased with that. It is of massive credit to the players that we secured a bonus point."
"Gloucester were thumped 42-12 by London Irish last weekend, but they end the year on course for another major tilt at the Premiership title.
Ryan added: "I am pretty happy with where we are. If we can push on from here, then we have a good chance of being in the mix.
"We couldn't match London Irish's energy levels last week, and if you don't have real energy, then you won't win games.
"We would have lost this game today if our energy levels had been anywhere near to where they were last Saturday."
