London Irish 19 - 40 Gloucester

By Cherrybomb
November 11 2002

A brilliant second half performance from Gloucester, despite being short of players due to international duty and injuries, mean that the Cherry-and-Whites notched up their 7th victory this season, winning 19-40.

As always the loyal Gloucester following made themselves heard at the Madjedski. And, as always, London Irish came out of the tunnel eager to keep the record at home against Gloucester that has stopped the Cherry-and-Whites winning there sinch a match against Redmund years ago.

Gloucester did start the strongest, and with all the injuries and call ups players such as Rodrigo Roncero, on only his second start this season, were eager to impress. However it was the Reading team which scored first with a Barry Everitt penalty.

Gloucester's first try came from an unusual source. Not unusual was the pace that Garvey showed down the wing, eventually setting up Adam Eustace in space. He showed good speed for a second row as he beat the defender to score. Mercier slotted the resulting conversion.

ummm..... Referee Ashley Rowden was not the most liked of people on the pitch on Sunday. It is controversial whether his style of refereeing is liked, but what is certain is that he blew up for offences which are not even featured in the rule book. After 3 penalties from Mercier and 2 from Everitt, London Irish got their first try.

It all came from a break after some clever Gloucester attacking play. Edwards put a clever kick behind the flat Gloucester line, and it was a race between Andy Gomarsall and Michael Horak. Horak got there first, but Andy Gomarsall didn't give up. He carried on chasing and knocked the ball from Horak's arms to the in goal area. Rowden blew up and awarded a penalty try. Why?

Everitt's conversion meant that things would be all square going in at half time, 16-16.

The second half was simply all Gloucester. After some brilliant forward effort, often controlled by Roncero and cleared up by Gomarsall, Junior Paramore scored. Mercier missed the conversion.

Then Rowden again made another strange decison by sending off Robert Todd. Apparently there was a ruck when there wasn't so Todd was sent to the bin for hands in the ruck. What is stranger though is the point that Todd was on his feet the whole time. Making up the rules again Rowden?

Gloucester were strong in defence with 14 men, until bad became worse when Henry Paul was also sent to the bin. Don't ask me what for. Luckily however it was time for Todd to return.

Now Gloucester, spurred on by the lack of refereeing ability, felt they could penetrate the Irish line once again. Boer made a brilliant break, and good support from Forrester meant that the youngster, left out of the England team, could go under the posts to score.

Sensing a bonus point Gloucester decided to go for a line out rather then a simple penalty. A typical forward drive set up Boer to go over, meaning all 3 back row players had picked up tries. Gloucester's back row? Probably the greatest club back row in Europe.

Gloucester completed the rampage when Roncero picked up a deserved try in the last minute of the game.

Beware Leicester.

Final Score: London Irish 19-40 Gloucester.