Thorley, Williams help Gloucester to seven point win over Zebre

Zebre 26-33 Gloucester Rugby, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Scorecard

Replacement Ollie Thorley scored a double while fly-half Owen Williams contributed with 13 points as Gloucester Rugby completed a 26-33 win over Zebre in their European Rugby Challenge Cup encounter at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Saturday.

Johan Meyer got Zebre off to a promising start with a ninth-minute try while Carlo Canna slotted the conversion and seven minutes later they doubled the lead with a touchdown from Renato Giammarioli.

Ruan Ackermann lead Gloucester's charge with a try of his own in the 25th minute and Thorley, who came off the bench in the 34th minute straightaway made an impact with the first of his two tries in the 36th minute as the scores remained levelled at 14-14.

Tommaso Boni strolled past the post in the added minutes of the first half to give the hosts a slender five point lead.

Gloucester stepped up gears at the start of the second half with Thorley going past the line for the second time while Williams, who slotted the extras also added a converted try in the 49th minute to make it 19-28.

Zebre's chances were hampered by a sin-bin to Mattia Bellini in the 54th minute. Even though Gloucester failed to make use of the advantage of having an extra man, Richard Hibbard ensured the bonus point for the Cherry and Whites with a 67th minute try.

Winger Ciaran Gaffney kept Zebre in the hunt when he crossed over in the 70th minute but it wasnt quite enough for the hosts as they succumbed to a seven point defeat.