Gloucester 23-9 London Irish
Saturday 19 February 2011
Gloucester welcomed an Irish outfit that shipped seven tries at Kingsholm two week before in the LV Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Irish on the other hand were out for revenge after a confidence boosting 23-14 win at home to Newcastle, only to taste defeat 23-9.
First Half
The first ten minutes of the contest was comprised in the main by kicking as both sides jostled for territory and a foot hold in the game.
The first opportunity for points was awarded to the cherry and whites, fly-half Nicky Robinson showing his exemplary kicking form by slotting over from 44 metres Gloucester 3 - 0 London Irish.
Unfortunately for the Kingsholm faithful the opportunity for the side from Reading to hit back was offered up almost instantaneously after the restart. Chris Malone's successful penalty after a collapsed maul tying the score Gloucester 3 - 3 London Irish.
Gloucester need only wait five minutes before their three point advantage was restored, Robinson converting a penalty from in front of the posts Gloucester 6 - 3 London Irish.
With the cherry and whites back in the led, now was the opportunity for them to flex their forward muscle. They did so via pick and drive rugby ending in a Luke Narraway try in the 25th minute. Robinson kicked the goal again, extending the home sides led to 10 points Gloucester 13 - 3 London Irish.
Irish matters went from bad to worse with the sin binning of prop Clarke Dermody after half an hour following repeated infringement at the breakdown by the visitors.
Fortunately for Irish the 10 minutes that they suffered with only 14 men saw only three points conceded Gloucester 16 - 3 London Irish.
In addition to this they were left with some hope at the interval, Tom Homer kicking a long range penalty to make the half time deficit 10 points Gloucester 16 - 6 London Irish.
Second Half
The second half saw London Irish start much the brighter; missing out on the opportunity to score in the left hand corner, Homer's pass out of the tackle evading Topsy Ojo. Play did however come back for an offside penalty, which Malone took advantage of with three points Gloucester 16 - 9 London Irish.
This would be the last points that Irish would score as Gloucester continued to dominate, extending their lead once more through a Qera try off the back of an Olly Morgan break Gloucester 23 - 9 London Irish.
The dynamism that had characterised London Irish's game in the early season continued to elude them, this while Gloucester showed their defensive dominance.
Not even the dismissal of replacement scrum half Dave Lewis in the last five minutes could allow for an Irish losing bonus point. In a loss that will leave London Irish fans with reservations over their side's play-off credentials.
Full Time
A poor display from London Irish, Toby Booth will need to have some stern words. Gloucester fans meanwhile will be hopeful that this is the season that they fulfil the potential that has seen them disappoint so often in their bid for the Premiership title. The cherry and whites now find themselves in third, just two points adrift of Saracens with a game in hand.
Man of the Match - Nicky Robinson a very good kicking display from the Welsh man.
Gloucester:
Tries - Narraway, Qera
Penalties - Robinson (3)
Conversions - Robinson (2)
London Irish:
Tries -
Penalties - Malone (2) Homer (1)
Conversions -
