Gloucester ended 2003 on a high note by inflicting a double defeat on Zurich
Premiership rivals Harlequins.
The west country side hammered Quins 16-0 in the autumn and despite a spirited
display from the Londoners on Saturday, Gloucester worked hard to earn an important
18-17 home win, although Quins at least salvaged a bonus point.
Heavy rain made conditions difficult and although both teams refused to let
the pitch slow them down, the players struggled to keep a firm hold of the
ball.
The first score of the afternoon was as a direct result of the weather.
A fumbled catch by Gloucester's Marcel Garvey just outside his 22 proved
costly with Harlequins immediately picking up and making vital space upfield.
The first was recycled at a ruck and Quins fly-half Andy Dunne kicked ahead
and although he slipped in the mud the ball trickled towards the line and
England World Cup winner Will Greenwood pounced to score. Dunne converted.
Gloucester immediately retaliated and after centre Henry Paul just failed to
make the try-line, James Simpson-Daniel made amends to reduce the deficit.
The home side crucially won a scrum close to Quins' line and with number nine
Andy Gomarsall passing the ball out to the left wing Duncan McRae set up
Simpson-Daniel. But Paul failed to bring the scores level at the break after
missing a conversion, leaving the visitors with the upper hand.
Harlequins built on that advantage after the restart when Gloucester failed to
keep hold of the slippery ball. Again the ball went loose and Rob Jewell picked
up and carried forward until he was brought down.
But centre Greenwood was supporting and kicked upfield to make vital space.
This time Pat Sanderson picked up to help prop Ceri Jones muscle his way over
the line. Again Dunne converted to make the score 14-5.
Paul clawed back three points with a 50th-minute penalty but tempers soon
began to fray. Both sides were to pay the price though with forwards Chris
Fortey and Jim Evans red carded for fighting by referee Tony Spreadbury
The home side were awarded a penalty and that proved to be the turning point.
Paul converted with ease and minutes later a crucial break by full-back Thinus
Delport set up Simpson-Daniel and Paul to charge upfield. Prop Trevor Woodman
finished off the move, bounding over the line.
Harlequins' challenge was not over though and talented youngster Dunne booted
a penalty to reduce the score to 18-17.
Paul could have given his team-mates more breathing space when he was handed
two late kickable penalties but it did not matter as Gloucester held their nerve
to secure victory.
Teams
Gloucester: Delport, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae,
Gomarsall, Roncero, Fortey, Deacon, Eustace, Brown, Boer,
Buxton, Paramore.
Replacements: Fanolua for Delport (67),
Woodman for Roncero (45), Cornwell for Eustace (59).
Not Used: Collins, Johnstone, Merryman, Page.
Tries: Simpson-Daniel, Woodman.
Cons: Paul.
Pens: Paul 2.
Sent Off: Fortey (61).
Harlequins: Duffy, Jewell, Greenwood, Bell, Keogh, Dunne,
Bemand, Jones, Tiatia, Leonard, Davison, Evans, Sanderson, Vos,
Diprose.
Replacements: Dawson for Tiatia (56), Hayter for Leonard (56),
Rudzki for Davison (56), Winters for Diprose (63).
Not Used: Gomez, Jarvis, Barratt.
Tries: Greenwood, Jones.
Cons: Dunne 2.
Pens: Dunne.
Sent Off: Evans (61).
Att: 11,000
Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook