Gloucester secured a narrow home victory but missed out on a crucial bonus
point in a match marred by a several punch-ups.
Tempers flared as early as the first scrum which broke up with fists flying
and referee Roy Maybank then had his work cut out with a mass brawl and then,
after lecturing both captains, a wholesale battle.
Fighting broke out several times before ending in front of the home dug-out.
Maybank sent off Gloucester's France international Olivier Azam and
Newcastle's Epi Taione, Azam leaving the field with blood streaming from his
nose.
Thereafter, play settled down with Gloucester generally having the edge until
Newcastle almost snatched it with a late rally.
Gloucester compounded their own problems by failing to break down a tough
Newcastle defence.
And with Gloucester kicker Henry Paul missing five out of 10 kicks the result
was very much in the balance in a tense final few minutes.
Adam Eustace got Gloucester's first try which Paul converted and then a Paul
penalty took Gloucester to a 10-6 lead at half-time. Jonny Wilkinson had
contributed two penalties for Newcastle.
Early in the second half Gloucester seemed likely to be runaway winners,
claiming 16 points in 17 minutes with tries by Daren O'Leary and Terry Fanolua,
with two more penalties from Paul.
In between these scores Jamie Noon slipped over for a Newcastle try.
Then with Wilkinson demonstrating his class, the England man went over for a
try which he also converted and the visitors moved within one point of
Gloucester with a penalty try.
It may well have set them up for a surprise win had Gloucester not sharpened
up with Paul claiming a final penalty.
Teams:
Gloucester: O'Leary, Ewens, Fanolua, Todd, Albanese, Paul,
Yachvili, Woodman, Azam, Vickery, Eustace, Cornwell, Forrester,
Hazell, Boer.
Replacements: Gomarsall for Yachvili (41),
Collazo for Woodman (55), Fidler for Eustace (55),
Fortey for Forrester (15), Paramore for Boer (55).
Not Used: Simpson-Daniel, Pucciarello.
Sent Off: Azam (14).
Tries: Eustace, O'Leary, Fanolua.
Cons: Paul.
Pens: Paul 4.
Newcastle: Walder, MacLure, Noon, May, Stephenson, Wilkinson,
Charlton, Ward, Makin, Graham, Weir, Grimes, Taione, Arnold,
Dunbar.
Replacements: Tuigamala for MacLure (54), Peel for Ward (49),
Balshen for Makin (41), Vyvyan for Weir (49),
Lam for Dunbar (54).
Not Used: Armstrong, Hurter.
Sent Off: Taione (15).
Tries: Noon, Penalty, Wilkinson.
Cons: Wilkinson 2.
Pens: Wilkinson 2.
Att: 11,000
Ref: Roy Maybank (RFU).
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