Gloucester reach final of European Rugby Challenge Cup with 33-12 win over Newcastle

Gloucester Rugby 33 - 12 Newcastle Falcons, Kingsholm Stadium

Gloucester Rugby went on to reach their third European Rugby Challenge Cup final after they defeated their Aviva Premiership rivals Newcastle Falcons 33-12 in the semi-final at Kingsholm on Friday.

The Cherry and Whites will now face the winner of the second semi-final contest between Cardiff Blues and Pau in the final to be played on 11th May at San Mamés Stadium.

Scott Lawson got the proceedings underway with a ninth-minute unconverted try but Gloucester dominated the remainder of the first half with back to back tries from Tom Marshall (21') and Motu Matu'u (40'+2). Billy Twelvetrees kicked a penalty goal and a conversion apiece as the home side ended the first half with a 15-5 lead.

Fly-half Billy Burns crossed over seven minutes after the restart to stretch Gloucester's lead to 15 points but Lawson with his second that came in the 54th minute along with a conversion from Joel Hodgson meant Newcastle Falcons were in the game with an eight point deficit.

Gloucester, who were without skipper Willi Heinz through injury had stretched their lead to 26-12 with 10 minutes to go in the game following back to back penalty goals from Twelvetrees and Ben Vellacott with his touchdown in the 75th minute saw them complete 33-12 victory.

The second semi-final between Cardiff Blues and Pau will take place on Saturday at Cardiff Arms Park with a kick-off time of 13:00 local.