Gloucester continued to build on their impressive record at home with an eight-try Zurich Premiership rout of Leeds Tykes at Kingsholm on Saturday.

The Cherry and Whites have amassed a staggering 152 points in their last three home games - and this latest victory took them up to second in the table.

Both sides exchanged early penalties, but the west country side soon took charge with a second Ludovic Mercier goal and a Daren O'Leary try thanks to good work from Junior Paramore and Robert Todd.

The Kingsholm faithful did not have to wait long for a second try either. This time it was the turn of rugby league recruit Henry Paul, who was gifted a 21st-minute try.

Gloucester's Dimitri Yachvili kicked the ball up field for Leeds' Dan Scarborough to keep the ball in play only for it to land in the hands of Paul. Fly-half Mercier converted.

Winger James Simpson-Daniel then grabbed Gloucester's bonus-point try minutes before half-time when Leeds had looked set for their first touchdown of the afternoon.

But the tables turned on the visitors, and a loose ball fell into the hands of Simpson-Daniel to charge the length of the pitch to score. Mercier converted to give the home side a massive 32-3 lead at the break.

The one-way traffic continued in the second half.

Former All Black Steve Bachop may have given Leeds a flicker of a hope on 51 minutes with a converted try after he chased down a poor Paul clearance kick - but the visitors' comeback did not last long.

Replacements Marcel Garvey soon touched down for Gloucester's sixth try before full-back Todd, Simpson-Daniel and Adam Eustace all bagged tries.

Winger Craig Emmerson grabbed a last-gasp touchdown for Leeds - but it was too little too late.

Teams:

Gloucester: Todd, O'Leary, Ewens, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, Mercier, Yachvili, Vickery, Fortey, Pucciarello, Cornwell, Pearce, Boer, Sewabu, Paramore.

Replacements: Garvey for O'Leary (41), Fanolua for Mercier (66), Gomarsall for Yachvili (66), Deacon for Vickery (61), Collazo for Pucciarello (60), Eustace for Boer (60), Forrester for Paramore (41).

Tries: O'Leary, Paul, Mercier, Simpson-Daniel 2, Garvey, Ewens, Eustace.

Cons: Mercier 5, Paul.

Pens: Mercier 2.

Leeds: Benson, Scarborough, Woof, Davies, Emmerson, Bachop, O'Reilly, Shelley, Holt, Kerr, C. Murphy, Palmer, Hogg, Mather, Fea'unati.

Replacements: Mackay for Scarborough (50), Kendra for O'Reilly (62), Rawlinson for Holt (50), Fullman for Kerr (50), Jones for C. Murphy (62).

Not Used: Clarke, Mayer.

Tries: Bachop, Emmerson.

Cons: Benson 2.

Pens: Benson.

Att: 7,516

Ref: Rob Goodliffe (RFU).