Devaluation

By TigerR
October 9 2007

It should have been one of the games of the season. Gloucester, top of the league by the smallest of margins versus Leicester who came second. Gloucester's win should have given them every expectation that this would again be their year. In fact the Tigers could easily win the Premership for the second year in a row. This is by how far such games have been devalued.

Not that there was any lack of passion in the pitch, in the
stands or on the terrace, although Welford Road was not full. But it may
have made it easier for a few to start leaving well before the end,
something very very rare at Welford Road.


The Gloucester fans who came were, of course, ecstatic. Away wins at
Welford Road are so rare. And their team did them proud and deserved to
win. But in their hearts they will know that this was not the Tigers first
team and in their stomachs they will know it hasn't done anything more than
get them very close to qualification for the real tournament at the end of
the season. And this is not our fault and it is not theirs. These regular
season matches have been devalued and they are further devalued in a World
Cup year and they are by all accounts about to be devalued again by the new
deal between the PRL and the RFU.

And so to the game. Leicester started well but Gloucester were fairly
comfortable soaking up the pressure. Andy Goode, we had not looked 100%
comfortable warming up, missed a penalty. Then Tigers attacked through
the backs near half way in front of the Crumbie Terrace. Goode slung out a
miss pass. Leon Lloyd who had received a warm welcome back to Welford Road,
anticipated the pass was for Tom Varndell, raced up and intercepted the
ball. There was, of course, no cover.

Almost the first time Gloucester got the ball into the Leicester half Tiger
gave away a penalty and Willie Walker slotted the kick. Tigers pressed and
were awarded a penalty in the Gloucester 22. Goode hooked the kick but it
was good enough.

Tigers did not kick for teritory but were fixated on playing with the ball
in hand. Not so Glouceser who kicked deep and set up a 5m scrum. Whilst
Tigers were prospering in the line out, Alex Moreno in particular and the
Tigers front row in general were having a poor outing. Although it was no
surprise to see the referee, Mr Maybank give a penalty against the Tigers
for collapsing the scrum, an immediate penalty try seemed precipitate.
Walker added the extras and another penalty late in the half. Goode missed
several penalties all missable but a haul of at least 2 more i.e. six more
pints would be expected on a normal day. Tigers 3 - 20 Gloucester was too
much to make up whereas 9-20 might have given the Tigers some scent of
victory.

Neither Goode nor Moreno appeared after half-time. Their replacement by
Burke and Castrogiovanni were obvious changes to make. None-the-less the
Tigers scrum continued to be under pressure. Gloucester if anything played
better. They dominated territory and almost got over in the corner in front
of the Crumbie Terrace. The TMO took ages to decide on no try.

Ollie Smith, having done nothing to deserve it, was replaced by Erinle,
Croft came on for Deacon, B. For once half a gap opened up in the
Gloucester defense and Tom Croft raced through and just made it over the
line.

Gloucester responded quickly, pressing our line in front of the Next Stand.
Willie Walker ran through Paul Burke and under the posts.

Matt Cornwell jinked through the Gloucester back line from second phase for
a consolation try in the last minute. Leicester 17 - 30 Gloucester. It had
been a matter of Goode being bad and Gloucester playing far from ugly.