Gloucester held on to second place in the Zurich Premiership as they took
revenge for two earlier defeats by Irish this season.
They did so by improving in the second half when Irish were threatening to
make it a hat-trick.
The hosts had to survive a tremendous injury-time rally by the Irish, however,
in which they scored their only two tries.
Gloucester had looked surprisingly jaded in the extended first half and were
often short of possession.
They had problems dealing with the lively Irish pack and were twice driven
back 20-metres - but managed to avoid conceding a score.
Fortunately for them their ace kicker Ludovic Mercier was bang on form.
First he slotted a 45-metre penalty and then followed up with three more
penalties and a conversion by half-time.
Gloucester's win owed much to scrum-half Andy Gomarsall who caught his
opposite number Hencie Martens in possession, and when the ball popped out home
flanker James Forrester twice hacked on over 40-metres.
Barry Everitt checked the drive but Gloucester's Samoan winger Terry Fanolua
touched down.
Irish, who were livelier in loose, also produced the better handling but it
was Everitt's kicking - two penalties and a drop goal - that kept them in touch
for most of the half.
The second half started with each side having a player yellow-carded.
Gloucester centre Robert Todd and Irish number eight Chris Sheasby were both
sin-binned within minutes of each other.
But the home side staged a big improvement and gradually built up a
comfortable 29-12 lead thanks to a try by Olivier Azam and Mercier's boot.
But Gloucester still found themselves on the rack in the closing period as
late Irish tries from Sheasby and Mike Worsley gave them plenty to worry about.
Both Everitt's conversions went astray, however, and Gloucester survived an
uncomfortable finish.
Teams:
Gloucester: O'Leary, Fanolua, Paul, Todd, Albanese, Mercier, Gomarsall, Collazo, Azam, Pucciarello, Fidler, Cornwell, Boer, Forrester, Paramore.
Replacements: Deacon for Collazo (66), Ewens for Azam (77), Pearce for Pucciarello (47).
Not Used: Yachvili, Simpson-Daniel, Fortey, Sewabu.
Sin Bin: Todd (42).
Tries: Fanolua, Azam. Cons: Mercier 2.
Pens: Mercier 5.
London Irish: Horak, Bishop, Hoadley, Venter, Sackey, Everitt,
Martens, Worsley, Kirke, Hardwick, Strudwick, Williams,
Gustard, Danaher, Sheasby.
Replacements: Edwards for Martens (69), Halvey for Gustard (71).
Not Used: Brown, Thrower, Flavin, Delaney, Halford.
Sin Bin: Sheasby (49).
Tries: Sheasby, Worsley.
Pens: Everitt 2.
Drop Goals: Everitt 2.
Att: 10,112
Ref: S Leyshon (RFU).
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