Gloucester made it three Premiership wins on the bounce as England
reject James Simpson-Daniel grabbed a brace of tries.
Last season's league table-toppers ground out a 24-19 triumph at their
Kingsholm fortress but, after Leeds made a lacklustre start, the Tykes made
Gloucester work hard for their four points.
Gloucester, missing five players on Rugby World Cup duty, started the game in
a rush and the Tykes looked like they were going to be on the receiving end of a
Gloucester onslaught.
After concerted pressure the home side finally earned their reward on 12
minutes when scrum-half Alex Page fed the ball out from the scrum to Cherry and
Whites new recruit Duncan McRae who set up Simpson-Daniel.
The winger's try was converted and the Shed Faithful did not have to wait long
to see Simpson-Daniel cross the try-line again.
Flanker Andy Hazel made an impressive burst up field but was brought down just
short of the line.
The ball was recycled with Henry Paul feeding Robert Todd who set up a flying
Simpson-Daniel. Paul again converted.
Gloucester continued to assert their dominance and after catching Leeds
unaware, number eight James Forrester crashed over the try line.
Paul once again booted the conversion but the Tykes cleverly edged their way
back into the game before the break with two Duncan-Hodge penalties.
And scrum-half Alan Dickens, making his first start in five weeks after
injury, narrowed Gloucester's advantage to just eight points after scoring a
soft converted try, minutes into injury time.
The Tykes' revival continued after the break with Leeds turning the tables on
Gloucester.
Fly-half Hodge added two further penalties only for former Rugby League star
Paul to steady Gloucester with a crucial 66th-minute penalty which was enough to
ensure the win.
Teams:
Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Simpson-Daniel,
McRae, Page, Johnstone, Fortey, Deacon, Brown, Cornwell, Boer,
Hazell, Forrester.
Replacements: Amor for Goodridge (57),
Eustace for Cornwell (59), Buxton for Hazell (62).
Not Used: Wood, Brotherstone, Olver, Frape.
Tries: Simpson-Daniel 2, Forrester.
Cons: Paul 3.
Pens: Paul.
Leeds: Walsh, Scarbrough, Christophers, Davies, Rees, Hodge,
Dickens, Shelley, Rawlinson, Halford, Hooper, Murphy, Salter,
Ponton, Hyde.
Replacements: Walker for Dickens (75), Holt for Halford (73).
Not Used: Powell, Morgan, Campbell, Cardey, Buchanan.
Tries: Dickens.
Cons: Hodge.
Pens: Hodge 4.
Att: 9,832
Ref: Sean Davey (RFU).
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