Henry Paul prompted Gloucester to a workmanlike opening Zurich Premiership
victory over Leeds.
The Kiwi centre was at the heart of much of the best play and set up
Gloucester's all-important try from Terry Fanolua.
Gloucester were always better drilled and produced the more adventurous rugby
and while Leeds improved after the break when Gordon Ross came on as fly-half,
their attacks floundered on mistakes or good Gloucester defence.
Leeds fielded seven new boys, including the return of second rower Chris
Murphy after a spell in France and a debut for academy graduate Tom Biggs, who
has excelled in Leeds' pre-season.
Gloucester had a new front row, including Gary Powell, returning to Headingley
after his summer move to the West Country.
Early indiscipline saw Leeds take a 6-3 lead with two penalties from fly-half
Duncan Hodge, the second an effort from almost half way, against one from Paul.
And it was the Gloucester centre who finally sparked some life into the match
with a characteristic side-step and break that caught Leeds napping. Gloucester
carried the momentum on and centre Fanolua finished off with a flourish. Paul's
conversion gave the visitors the lead for the first time.
Tykes' coach Phil Davies said in his programme notes that his side need to
improve on their decision making and that was driven home after a drop-goal and
penalty attempt by Hodge failed.
Olivier Azam was sin-binned for pulling down a maul close to the line and
instead of taking the simple three points on offer, Leeds opted for a scrum and
after a messy period of play saw the chance slip away.
Instead Gloucester picked up the pace and again produced some free-running
rugby to put Leeds under pressure.
The home side's one piece of adventurous play saw them run the ball out from
near their own line and gave 20-year-old Biggs a chance to show his blistering
pace but his inside pass to Matt Cardey was ruled out because he had put a foot
in touch.
Paul finished the half with another successful penalty and Leeds were
fortunate that an injury-time effort came back off the post.
Gloucester were again reduced to 14 when Duncan McRae was sin-binned but once
again Leeds were unable to take advantage.
The introduction of Ross added a bit more attacking flair to the Tykes but
they did not threaten the line and it was a Ross penalty midway through the
second period that brought the score to 9-13.
McRae stretched the visitors' advantage back to seven points with a drop-goal
three minutes from time and the Gloucester stand-off provide the long pass to
winger James Simpson-Daniel to score their second. Gavin Kerr's try in the ninth
minute of extra time was mere consolation.
Teams:
Leeds: Cardey, Rees, Bell, Snyman, Biggs, Hodge, McMillan,
Kerr, Rawlinson, Holt, Murphy, Palmer, Uys, Parks, Popham.
Replacements: Ross for Hodge (33), Dickens for McMillan (44),
Regan for Rawlinson (44), Morgan for Palmer (63),
Dunbar for Parks (63).
Not Used: Cusack, Albanese.
Tries: Kerr.
Cons: Ross.
Pens: Hodge 2, Ross.
Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel,
McRae, Amor, Sigley, Azam, Powell, Eustace, Brown, Balding,
Boer, Forrester.
Replacements: Wood for Sigley (10), Fortey for Azam (71),
Buxton for Eustace (53), Cornwell for Balding (67).
Not Used: Page, Mauger, Bailey.
Tries: Fanolua, Simpson-Daniel.
Cons: Paul.
Pens: Paul 2.
Drop Goals: McRae.
Sin Bin: Azam (27), McRae (46).
Att: 4,079
Ref: S Lander (England).
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