The return of World Cup-winner Trevor Woodman proved crucial to Gloucester who
secured a much-needed Zurich Premiership win over Northampton on Saturday.
Last season's table-toppers have clearly missed their World Cup stars and prop
Woodman's appearance at Kingsholm was decisive as he broke a 17-all deadlock
with a superb 65th-minute try that put Northampton's chances of victory out of
reach.
Spurred on by the return of Woodman, Phil Vickery and Andy Gomarsall,
Gloucester blasted into action with the Cherry and Whites taking just three
minutes to register on the scoreboard.
Winger Marcel Garvey was the man who touched down but it was powerhouse number
eight Junior Paramore, returning from injury having broken an arm in October,
who found vital space in Northampton's defence to set Garvey free.
Henry Paul converted but the visitors soon cancelled out their rivals' lead
with an 18th-minute try.
The Saints turned the tables on Gloucester, forcing them to defend fiercely on
their goal-line and an unsuccessful clearance kick by full-back Thinus Delport
proved costly.
Flanker Grant Feely blocked Delport's kick which scrum-half Mark Robinson pounced
on to score. Fly-half Shane Drahm converted to bring the scores level.
Paul and Drahm then exchanged penalties but the Saints stole the lead at the
break with Robinson galloping up-field to score after Bruce
Reihana had made a clever break. Drahm converted.
Robinson's second score left Gloucester playing catch-up in the second half, but with
England internationals Woodman and Vickery taking to the field the Kingsholm
outfit raised their game.
Winger James Simpson-Daniel put himself at the centre of the action, weaving
his way through Northampton's defence to score and again put the two sides
level.
But it was the superb try by Cornishman Woodman that proved decisive for
Gloucester.
The heavyweight forward battered his way through four Saints' players before
diving over the line to the sound of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' from the
ecstatic Shed. Paul missed the conversion but added another penalty after 72
minutes.
Drahm snatched back a late penalty for the visitors but with Paul matching his
effort in injury time, Gloucester were back to winning ways.
Teams
Gloucester: Delport, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae,
Gomarsall, Roncero, Fortey, Deacon, Brown, Cornwell, Boer,
Buxton, Paramore.
Replacements: Frape for Garvey (40), Vickery for Roncero (41),
Woodman for Deacon (41), Hazell for Buxton (59).
Not Used: Elloway, Rimmer, Amor.
Tries: Garvey, Simpson-Daniel, Woodman.
Cons: Paul 2.
Pens: Paul 3.
Northampton: Beal, Brooks, Tucker, Leslie, Reihana, Drahm,
Robinson, Smith, Richmond, Morris, Hunter, Phillips, Seely,
Fox, Blowers.
Replacements: Miles for Richmond (58), Budgen for Morris (58),
Soden for Phillips (41), Connors for Blowers (58).
Not Used: Howard, Clarke, Sleightholme.
Tries: Robinson 2.
Cons: Drahm 2.
Pens: Drahm 2.
Att: 11,000
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
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