Gloucester take home the cup in extra time

Gloucester left it late in a highly competitive and entertaining game to secure their only silverware of the season. It's been a while since I've been that nervous and it'll be a while before my fingernails are back. But all the lack of facilities before the game, the early start and the nasty weather were made worth it by a young Gloucester side that now have there first taste of silverware.

The whole side were magnificent today but Hazell was fully deserving of his man of the match award in my opinion, he was everywhere today and it still boggles the mind thinking about how he isn't deemed good enough for England. Irish too showed they're on there way to becoming a top side and it will be interesting to see us both develop next season. This game however there fluent running style, reverted back to a full on frontal assault through the forwards, which given their stone a man advantage didn't seem a bad idea and was close to paying off for them.

This was a sound strategy but even by its own high standards our defence excelled itself today. Although in the end Irish drove over for two scores from close range they really had to work from them, and for the 1st half of extra time we barely touched the ball, but Irish could only come away with 3 points. Alex Brown alongside Hazell and Forrester, excelled himself in defence today. He's earned his call up to the summer tour and is more than just a line out jumper.

Our backs didn't have too much quality ball today due to the competitiveness up front but they looked good again when they had it. It wasn't a day for Lambs running game but he controlled the territory well today, and looked calm and composed. For someone who isn't supposed to be much of a goal kicker he strikes the ball beautifully and didn't miss much. He produced one moment of class when he chipped the ball over the defence in his own 22 retrieved it and flicked the ball off the ground to keep play alive. Sadly that moment of genius also saw him leave the field with double vision. Anthony Allen showed great strength and skill at times today and had a big role to play in the winning try.

The game started slowly for Gloucester and thanks to 2 Everitt penalties in the 1st 10 minutes we were trailing 6-0. It wasn't long before Gloucester struck back however, a clever and well weighted kick by Tindall was delivered into the corner and Foster was the first to the ball, kicked on and grounded to score the first try of the game. Lambs conversion gave Gloucester a narrow 1 point led. Shortly after Lamb extended the lead with a penalty.

The lead was further extended when Lamb kicked perfectly to the corner, Catt could only gather before being forced into touch from a chasing Simpson-Daniel. A simply catch and drive, allowed Hazell to drive over the line, without much resistance from Irish. However they came back strongly this time, and drove close in the corner a couple of times, before Everitt judged a cross field kick to perfection and with Armitage bettering Thirlby to claim the ball, Irish had there first try of the afternoon. Everitt converted, before another Lamb penalty brought the scoring in the first half to an end.

Irish had the advantage of the wind behind them in the second half, and Everitt was utilising it effectively, Gloucester finding them selves increasingly pinned back. A 30 metre drop goal got the 2nd half scores off to a start. Shortly after Lamb came off with double vision to be replaced by Ludo. Shortly after Leguizamon, who was having an excellent game, left for a spell in the sin bin after taking Richards out when he attempted a quick tap. Gloucester could not capitalise however and only a penalty was added to the score during his absence. Not long after though, Glos looked to have secured the trophy thanks to a badly judged pass by the otherwise excellent Casey, Sinbad gathered the loose ball to stroll under the posts. Ludo's conversion gave Gloucester what appeared to be a comfortable 12 point led.

Irish had other ideas however. They threw everything at Glos for the last 10 minutes and were camped on the Gloucester 5 meter line. After what seemed an eternity Magne crossed the line and suddenly the momentum had shifted. Gloucester gave another silly penalty away and the ball was again duly kicked to the corner. Frantic defence was needed again but the pressure eventually told and Irish were awarded the try after Whitehouse went to the TMO. The way Everitt had kicked I thought it was all over but he missed, and the cheers were as loud as I can remember for someone missing a kick. With seconds to spare Richards went for a drop goal but it lacked the accuracy, and the coach drivers desire to leave by three went out the window as we were in for extra time.

Irish proceeded to batter Gloucester for the first ten minutes, but only had a penalty for their efforts. However it was difficult to see how they would hold Irish off, the cup we had our hands on seemed a long way away now. Another piece of Gloucester brilliance changed things however. Again the play started in our 22. A Peter Richards kick was chased down and gathered by Sinbad. The ball was recycled and Anthony Allen had some space to play with rounded a few defenders before being brought down. The ball was quickly fed to Forrester who produced a touch of skill and class that very few number 8s could do and kicked through, he hacked on his own kick and just got to the ball before the dead ball line. The result? Pure bedlam. unfortunately Ludo couldn't compose himself and missed a difficult conversion. An extremely long 7 minutes followed but the place erupted when the whistle went.

Credit to Irish who put it a terrific performance and were a kick away from victory, but it was to be Gloucester's day.

Russell Brookes25/5/05