Gloucester 24-23 Saracens
Saracens made the brightest start in the first ten minutes of this match, getting a penalty try after 6 minutes after Gloucester pulled down two mauls right by the line. Goode slotted the penalty, and it was 0-7 after only 7 minutes.
The tides quickly turned, however, and there was a great chance for a Gloucester try after 15 minutes. The only problem? Twelvetrees failed to pass the ball to May, who was absolutely furious, and so he should have been because it was a walk-in try for May. Gloucester did get a penalty straight after, which Hook slotted over to make the score 3-7 after 16 minutes.
A further penalty followed for Gloucester after 17 minutes, making the score 6-7. But, a passage of play ensued that was full of errors for Gloucester, eventually leading to a Saracens penalty after 20 minutes. Goode slotted this penalty, and the score became 6-10. These errors then continued from Gloucester, granting a further penalty for Goode to make the score 6-13 after 25 minutes.
Yet more errors came from Gloucester in the next 5 minutes, including a lost line-out after a penalty to touch. Then, Hook missed a penalty after Hamilton was penalised for not rolling away. But it was then Saracens turn to make some errors. They were issued a warning after consistent infringements around the park, and a penalty to Gloucester was given, which was kicked to touch.
The pressure that Gloucester had been piling on Saracens for the previous couple of minutes finally led to a spectacular try from Dan Robson - he broke through the Saracens defence, and kicked the ball ahead of him. It was then a race between him and Hamilton to get to the ball, with Robson coming out on top and providing a one-handed finish that will be up there with one of the best tries of the weekend, if not the season. However, Hook missed the conversion, keeping Gloucester behind as the score was 11-13.
Saracens retained the ball after the re-start, but a bad kick from Ashton allowed Gloucester to put the pressure back on. This then led to a yellow card for David Strettle after a deliberate knock-on. However, Hook yet again missed the penalty, and the score at half-time was still 11-13 to Saracens.
It was a perfect start to the second half for Saracens, as they got a try through Billy Vunipola from the rolling maul after 44 minutes. However, it was bad news for Gloucester as Savage received a yellow card for going in at the side at the two previous mauls. Goode missed the conversion, and the score was 11-18.
Gloucester then put on substantial pressure, almost leading to a try from Hook, but he was help up. The 5 metre scrum that they were awarded resulted in them getting the ball, ready to attack again, but J P Doyle stopped play immediately after an injury to Ben Morgan. Time was stopped for a good five minutes, as a stretcher and gas & air was brought to Morgan, who's injury looks a lot like a leg break.
After Morgan went off, there was a passage of play consisting of the ball going back and forth between the teams. However, Saracens booted two kicks out on the full, allowing Gloucester to have the upper hand. This led to a penalty, which Hook slotted to make the score 14-18 after 58 minutes. And then, two minutes later, a super break from Jonny May, as well superb offloading and another break from Evans, set up Braley to score a brilliant try. After the conversion, the score was 21-18.
Only a minute or so after this, a tip-tackle from Kruis resulted in a yellow card after consultation with the TMO. Gloucester then took the momentum in their stride and pushed forwards, only to be turned over, putting Saracens back on the attack. This resulted in a penalty, which was kicked into touch. There was then a stoppage in play lasting around 10 minutes, whilst an injury to Nick Wood was being assessed.
Play then re-started, and Saracens were awarded three penalties on the bounce for infringements in the maul - the second penalty led to a yellow card for May, and the third penalty led to a try for Saracens from Mako Vunipola. Goode missed the conversion, and it was 21-23 with 10 minutes to go.
Gloucester were given a chance to potentially take the lead after they received a penalty at the line-out, but Saracens stole the line-out after Gloucester went to touch. There was then a passage of huge pressure from Gloucester that had no result for them. It then looked as if Saracens had scored a try through Ashton, but he was offside and Gloucester were awarded a penalty on half-way. Hook stepped up to take the kick in the last few seconds of the match and absolutely nailed it, securing Gloucester an emphatic 24-23 win.
What a rucking good start to the weekend!
Jess.
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