Gloucester remained firmly focused on their challenge of finishing at the top
end of the Zurich Premiership table after completing a 36-12 demolition job over
Newcastle Falcons.
The Cherry and Whites were clearly on a high after booking their place in the
Heineken Cup quarter finals last weekend and ran in three tries in the first
half.
Dave Walder, Jonny Wilkinson's replacement at fly half, took too long with a
clearance kick in front of the posts in the opening minute and Gloucester centre
Robert Todd charged down. The ball rebounded over the tryline, Newcastle hooker
Matt Thompson failed to safely ground the ball and Todd pounced to score the
try.
Henry Paul converted to give Gloucester an early 7-0 lead and Newcastle were
already on the back foot.
Paul added a penalty and soon Gloucester were 15-0 up after a superb solo try
by young winger Marcel Garvey who would have certainly caught the eye of
watching England coach Sir Clive Woodward.
This time it was an error by scrum half James Grindal which proved costly. He
lost possession, Junior Paramore recycled the ball out wide to Garvey and he
galloped 50 metres to plunge over with Paul adding the conversion.
Paul must have been impressing Woodward too. He was instrumental in setting up
the third try, making vital space up field before brilliant interplay work
between the Gloucester players sent fly half Duncan McRae over the line. Paul
again converted to establish a 24-0 lead.
The Falcons got on the scoresheet with an injury time try. Skipper Hugh Vyvyan
led the way towards the try line after an inside pass from winger Tom May.
Vyvyan was brought down just short of line but May, up in support, plunged over.
Walder converted and the Falcons trailed 24-7 at the break.
Gloucester had to wait 22 minutes before their next score but it was worth the
wait as it handed the Kingsholm side their second try bonus point of the season
with replacement James Forrester surging down the left wing to score.
Winger Terry Fanolua put the icing on Gloucester's win with a terrific fifth
try after he seized a quick pass from Todd on the left wing to bound over the
line for a converted try.
Flanker Warren Britz had the final word for Newcastle with an injury-time try
to make it 36-12.
Teams:
Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Todd, Paul, Fanolua, McRae,
Gomarsall, Woodman, Fortey, Vickery, Eustace, Brown, Buxton,
Hazell, Paramore.
Replacements: Page for Gomarsall (71),
Forrester for Paramore (46).
Not Used: Collins, Deacon, Roncero, Cornwell, Frape.
Tries: Todd, Garvey, McRae, Forrester, Fanolua.
Cons: Paul 4.
Pens: Paul.
Newcastle: J. Shaw, May, Noon, Mayerhofler, M. Shaw, Walder,
Grindal, Peel, Thompson, Hurter, Archer, Grimes, Dunbar, Britz,
Vyvyan.
Replacements: Charlton for Grindal (40), Wilson for Peel (74).
Not Used: Makin, Hamilton, Parling, Godman, M. Wilkinson.
Tries: May, Britz.
Cons: Walder.
Ref: Dave Pearson (England).
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