Matt Banahan launches into James Simpson-Daniel

Gloucester ended their twenty year wait for success at the Recreation Ground this past weekend, as the visitors overcame a Bath side that failed to take the opportunities presented to them.

It was an awful day for Bath flyhalf Butch James, who looked anything but himself as he failed to kick five placekicks in a row, and then had a clearing kick charged down which resulted in a try for Gloucester.

Gloucester took full advantage, and the resultant victory was sweet after their disappointing loss to Leicester a week prior.

Big Bath wing Matt Banahan was one who did please the home crowd though as he had a few strong runs, and then this cracking hit on James Simpson-Daniel that grew groans from the faithful at the Rec.

The big hit followed a fantastic covering tackle from fullback Nick Abendanon on big Lesley Vainikolo. A tackle that, for some, could even be more impressive than Banahan smashing the little guy.

So while Abendanon showed little regard for his body and brilliantly took Big Les out at the legs, the 6ft7 Banahan used all his power to simply launch into Simpson-Daniel, rocking him back in a mismatch that proved to be a fairly spectacular looking tackle.

Simpson-Daniel, being the type of player that he is, got his revenge though later in the game after Banahan looked in on goal, but was denied when the little guy tracked him down and made a great defensive tackle.

Good rugby all round, except the goal kicking that is.