Gloucester extended their lead at the Zurich Premiership summit after
seeing off close rivals Leeds in a full-blooded Kingsholm clash.
The Cherry and Whites never looked back after establishing a 17-7 interval
lead but they were made to work hard for their victory by a committed and
determined Tykes outfit.
Gloucester ultimately outscored their visitors 3-1 on tries - flanker Jake
Boer, number eight Junior Paramore and centre Robert Todd touching down - while
former Gloucester wing Craig Emmerson claimed an interception score for Leeds.
Gloucester fly-half Ludovic Mercier confirmed Gloucester's supremacy with 13
points from the boot, but blotted his copybook by being sin-binned in injury
time and needlessly throwing the ball away.
Leeds also had a player yellow-carded - their Wales A flanker Alix Popham, who
was playing in the centre because of injuries and unavailability - following a
high tackle in the 25th minute.
Gloucester never hit top gear, yet their unbeaten record in the league has now
stretched to almost 15 months and another bumper crowd of more than 10,000 had
no complaints.
Gloucester fielded scrum-half Andy Gomarsall in their starting line-up
following his second-half substitute's appearance for England against South
Africa at Twickenham, while Leeds sent on reserve England hooker Mark
Regan after 50 minutes.
The early exchanges were hard-fought and it took Gloucester 15 minutes to open
their account courtesy of a short-range Mercier penalty.
Leeds then lost Popham to the sin-bin - and Gloucester struck within two
minutes of his departure.
Some excellent approach work ended with skipper Boer powering over for a try
that Mercier converted, and it was to get worse for the visitors.
Just four minutes later, with Popham still off the field, Gloucester conjured
up a wonderful score.
The entire back-row of Paramore, Boer and James Forrester combined brilliantly
from 60 metres out, and a thrilling passage of play highlighted by slick
handling ended with Paramore crossing in the corner.
Mercier's conversion gave Leeds a mountain to climb, although they were given
some hope four minutes before the break when Emmerson intercepted a stray Todd
pass and galloped clear, with Braam van Straaten kicking the conversion.
Mercier slotted another penalty before the break as Leeds lost their full-back
and England squad member Dan Scarbrough when he was on the receiving end of a
heavy collision.
Mercier and van Straaten exchanged penalties early in the second period, and
Leeds then raised their game to dominate territorially for a large chunk of the
action, but they just lacked finishing expertise to reduce their arrears.
Todd blazed over for a try on the hour mark but Gloucester could not add to
their tally as they went in search of one more touchdown that would have given
them a bonus point.
Leeds, in second place before kick, tried valiantly to get back into the game,
yet Gloucester were already home and dry, and they will look for a repeat
performance when struggling London Irish arrive in the west country next
Saturday.
Teams:
Gloucester: Paul, Beim, Fanolua, Todd, Delport, Mercier,
Gomarsall, Roncero, Azam, Deacon, Fidler, Cornwell, Boer,
Forrester, Paramore.
Not Used: Amor, Stuart-Smith, Catling, Elloway, Irish, Eustace,
Buxton.
Tries: Boer, Paramore, Todd.
Cons: Mercier 2.
Pens: Mercier 3.
Sin Bin: Mercier (80).
Leeds: Scarborough, Hall,
Popham, van Straaten, Emmerson,
Davies, Dickens, Shelley, Rawlinson, Kerr, C. Murphy, Palmer,
Mather, Hyde, Fea'unati.
Not Used: Holt, Regan, Campbell, Hogg, Ponton, Hegarty, Lupton.
Tries: Emmerson.
Cons: van Straaten.
Pens: van Straaten.
Sin Bin: Popham (25).
Att: 10,276
Ref: Steve Leyshon (RFU).
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