Aviva Premiership: Gloucester 14-19 Leicester

26 November 2011

Gloucester opened strongly andshowed their attacking hunger from the word go. Several strong attacks from theCherry-and-Whites were prevented due to a resilient Leicesterdefence. Leicester got their first chanceafter five minutes of play, Flood grubber kicked for territory but Qera gainedthe ball and Burns cleared after.

Geordan Murphy experienced Sharples' speed when Burns tactically kickedahead and Sharples pressured the Leicesterfull-back who was forced to kick to touch. Another promising attack from Gloucester’s young starscame from Burns, who broke away only to be tackled 10 yards from the try lineby Tom Croft.

Tigers wing Alesana Tuilagi storms forward

The only points came at the end of the first quarter with bothfly-half’s scoring. But Burns added another to give Gloucester the lead on the 31 minute mark.

The introduction of Ben Youngs into the Leicester Tigers side gave themadded flare ahead of the second half. His arrival did exactly that as AlesanaTuilagi broke away giving the Tigers a strong position within the Gloucester twenty-two.

After a couple of phases, Youngs got the ball to Flood, who grubberkicked and touched down. Flood thought he had the try, but it was ruled out bythe television match official. However, he converted the following penalty,levelling the scores at 6-6.

A burns penalty followed and Gloucestertook a 9-6 lead. The lead didn’t last long as Toby Flood successfully scored onthe hour mark. He couldn’t convert his try but the Tigers held an 11-9 lead.

Gloucester replied yet again andLuke Narraway intercepted a Ben Youngs pass. He raced through the Leicesterhalf and took the lead for Gloucester.

But Alesana Tuilagi became the hero of the hour for Leicesteras he went over on the 67 minute mark. Flood missed the conversion but thevisitors held a narrow 16-14 lead. Ben Youngs made a promising break a fewminutes later but he was tackled by Burns and Morgan before he reached theline.

Prior to the final whistle, Flood rubbed salt in Gloucester’swounds with a penalty and the vital try Gloucesterneeded eluded them as the referee called time.

The loss completed four games lost in a row for Gloucesterbut allowed Leicester to continue their good form.

Richard Cockerill spoke to Nick Heath post match:

Credit: Talking Rugby/Nick Heath