Anscombe strike sinks Gloucester
CARDIFF BLUES pulled off a stunning comeback victory last night to win the Challenge Cup for the second time — after Gloucester contrived to throw away a 14-point half-time lead. Gareth Anscombe had just missed a conversion to put the Welsh region ahead with four minutes left, but the Blues were awarded a penalty with one minute left on the clock. This time, the Wales playmaker was on target to secure a triumph which had seemed unlikely for so long. Gloucester had appeared on course to claim a hat-trick of titles when Billy Twelvetrees sparked a stunning breakthrough right at the end of the first half. The former England centre received a pass deep in his own half on the left, under pressure from the on-rushing Blues defence. There appeared to be no way out of the tight corner he was in, but the Gloucester No 13 somehow found one — swerving wide of his nearest opponent, drawing the next and releasing Henry Trinder into space on the flank. Trinder surged forward and passed back in-field to Callum Braley. The scrum-half turned in search of support and when Mark Atkinson arrived on the burst, he was released through a gap and away to the posts. It was a wonder strike. Gloucester had claimed their first try in the ninth minute when Trinder swooped to gather the ball and go over in the corner from a laser-guided cross-kick by Billy Burns. Twelvetrees converted that and Atkinson’s try and also landed two first-half penalties to make it 20-6 at the break. But the Blues were not ready to go quietly. A minute after the re-start they launched a raid on the right and Anscombe kicked through, picked up, ran on and kicked ahead again. This time, Tomos Williams pounced, hacked the ball on and seized it low down to score. Anscombe’s conversion made it a one-score game again. Danny Wilson’s men had their tails up and their fightback gained further momentum in the 51st minute when another Jarrod Evans penalty — his third of the night — reduced the deficit to four points. Moments later, Evans turned creator as the Blues remarkably reclaimed the lead. The fly-half’s clever, low kick allowed Garyn Smith to chase through and touch down. Evans converted to make it 23-20, but back came Gloucester as hooker James Hanson scored from a line-out drive just before the hour. Twelvetrees converted and soon landed another penalty. It was his sixth successful shot from as many attempts. It was a performance worthy of a match-winner’s medal, but it wasn’t to be. Blaine Scully scored for the Blues in the right corner with four minutes left, but Anscombe missed the conversion. That wasn’t the end of the drama, however, as Anscombe was given one final shot for glory. This time, he made no mistake.