Kingsholm has often produced superb kickers but few will have surpassed the
performance of Simon Mannix against Quins.
The New Zealander kicked all nine penalty chances - equalling his best ever
haul - to take Gloucester to a victory few would have thought possible early
on.
They were so slack at the start that Quins raced to a 10-0 lead in the first
five minutes with a penalty and a conversion of Will Greenwood's try.
Apart from that early touchdown, the match was a titanic struggle between the
kickers in which 13 successful shots at goal were taken before Paul Burke lost
the battle with a kick that bounced off the posts.
In the end it was Gloucester's sheer will-power coupled with a tremendous
forward display that ensured victory.
When Phil Vickery, the England prop, went on as a second-half replacement for
his first outing of the season after injury, he wrought havoc in the Quins
pack.
Gloucester's ability to wheel their opponents to regain possession was also
vitally important.
Gloucester were 20-12 down at half-time, Nick Burrows having added another try
which Burke converted before landing a penalty.
For Gloucester the Mannix boot had kept them in touch as he landed four
penalties in the first half.
Five more penalties from him saw Gloucester go ahead as he took the last from
inside his own half.
Gloucester deserved success in what may be a crucial turning point for them
but, even so, Quins could always have stolen it back.
They were pressing in injury time and only a desperate tackle by full-back
Chris Catling denied winger Brendan Daniel a late try.
However, Gloucester coach Philippe Saint-Andre was still not satisfied,
saying: "We looked in trouble for a lot of the game."
Quins coach Zinzan Brooke said: "We threw it away. You can't give away so
many penalties in good kicking positions.
"We also had three or four good chances that we should have put away,
including one in injury time.
"Gloucester had the territorial advantage but still could not penetrate our
defence."
Teams:
Gloucester:
Pens: Mannix 9.
Gloucester: Catling, Ewens, Fanolua, Yates, Beim, Mannix,
Gomarsall, Azam, Fortey, Powles, Fidler, I. Jones, Ojomoh,
K. Jones, Paramore.
Replacements: Sanchez for Fortey (64), Eustace for Ojomoh (67),
Hazell for K. Jones (57).
Not Used: Sanders, Simpson-Daniel, Vickery, Cornwell.
Sin Bin: Powles (37).
Harlequins:
Tries: Greenwood, Burrows.
Cons: Burke 2.
Pens: Burke 3.
Harlequins: O'Neill, Gollings, Greenwood, Burrows, Daniel,
Burke, Richards, Leonard, Wood, Starr, Morgan, Codling,
Jenkins, Wilson, White-Cooper.
Replacements: J. Williams for O'Neill (64),
Powell for Richards (64), Mathieson for Starr (79),
Fuga for Jenkins (79).
Not Used: Greenstock, Jones, Dawling.
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