Johan Ackermann hails Gloucester players for turnaround after fightback to beat West Country rivals Bristol Bears

Gloucester 35-13 Bristol Bears: Cherry & Whites maintain their strong start to the season but Ackermann was not pleased with the first-half performance that required a turnaround

(PA)

Gloucester coach Johan Ackermann revealed how his half-time team talk paid dividends as they came from behind to beat Bristol Bears.

The Cherry and Whites scored 32 unanswered points in the second half to overturn a 13-3 half-time deficit and maintain their unbeaten Gallagher Premiership record with a 35-13 win at Kingsholm.

Bristol had dominated before the interval and deservedly led through Luke Morahan’s try, with Ian Madigan adding two penalties and a conversion.

However, it was a different story after the interval thanks to tries from Charlie Sharples (2), Gerbrandt Grobler, Matt Banahan and Ed Slater. Billy Twelvetrees kicked two penalties and two conversions to send Gloucester to the top of the table.

Head coach Ackermann explained: “We made it crystal clear at half-time that we weren’t happy at the way we were playing, as we looked disorganised and weren’t working hard enough.

Danny Cipriani continued his strong start to the season with another try-assist for Sharples (Getty)

“We needed to be more direct – but I didn’t have to say too much as the players knew they weren’t performing and it was just a matter of physicality.

“It was important to start the second half to ease our nerves and that early try really helped.”

Backs coach Jonny Bell added: “It was a very disappointing first half as we didn’t look like ourselves and credit to Bristol for getting under our skins.

“We needed to show major intent in our ball carrying and be much more aggressive at the breakdown.”

Billy Twelvetrees kicked 10 points to send Gloucester top of the Premiership (Getty)

Meanwhile, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam was unhappy with his side’s second-half capitulation.

He said: “The biggest issue was to lose the penalty count 20-8 and we’ll have a good hard look at our discipline as we shot ourselves in the foot.

“We came here to attack as there’s no point in going into one’s shell – but they are a big unit and we made it too easy for them to get back into our half by giving away too many penalties.

Sharples somersaults between the posts as he scores his second try (Getty)

“Some of our skills and decision-making were poor and the first 10 minutes of the second half proved to be crucial.

“It’s important to win your home games in the Premiership and try and nick something away from home.”

Wing Morahan added: “We didn’t come out firing in that second half and didn’t adapt to Gloucester’s game as they were very direct and we just couldn’t stop their momentum.”

PA