From hero to villain as Rees-zammit’s missed tackle costs Gloucester
London Irish 25 Gloucester 25
Louis Rees-zammit endured mixed emotions in west London as Gloucester had to share the spoils after mounting a determined fightback.
The Welshman looked set to be his side’s hero when he raced 75 metres for a fine interception try to put the visitors ahead for the first time. But he was guilty of a crucial missed tackle on another exciting youngster, England’s Ollie Hassellcollins. It allowed Irish to forge over the line, with captain Matt Rogerson crossing to earn them a draw and deny Gloucester a third win of the Premiership season.
The visitors had overturned a 17-6 deficit to put themselves in the box seat and George Skivington, the Gloucester head coach, admitted: “We put ourselves in position to win the game but then had it taken off us. It’s disappointing but I am still proud of the way the players fought back in the second half. We gave them two soft tries in the first half when we were a bit slack. But we have some real warriors in the side and they showed their character.”
Gloucester were a long way off the pace in an opening 40 minutes dominated and controlled by an Irish side still searching for their first victory of the season. Irish could have put the game beyond their rivals but were left ruing missed chances and had to settle for a 14-6 half-time lead.
Veteran Argentina hooker Agustin Creevy used his muscle and momentum to force his way over from a few yards for the opening try, with Paddy Jackson kicking the extras. And, after Ben Loader had a try ruled out for a forward pass, Jackson converted as flanker Isaac Curtis-harris broke through some weak tackling for Irish’s second try.
All the visitors could muster was a couple of quick Adam Hastings penalties as they attempted to raise their game and claw their way back into the contest. They were still half asleep at the start of the second half when centre Curtis Rona rampaged his way into their 22 only to be hauled down short, before Gloucester had centre Mark Atkinson sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball at a ruck.
Karl Dickson, the referee, evened things up by sending Irish lock Steve Mafi to the sin-bin as Gloucester camped near the home side’s line and were awarded a series of penalties. Ben Morgan surged over for two quick tries to put the visitors well back in the hunt, on both occasions dropping down with ball in hand from the back of two driving mauls. Jackson kicked a penalty for Irish in between Morgan’s efforts as the game became stretched on both sides.
Rees-zammit showed his predatory instincts to intercept scrumhalf Nick Phipps’s pass and charge clear and over the line untouched. However, his joy turned to despair when he failed to keep a grip of Hassell-collins as Irish poured forward in search of saving the match and the ball fell into the hands of captain Rogerson, who twisted and turned his way over for a try that earned the hosts a draw. Declan Kidney, the Irish director of rugby, said: “If we had taken all of our chances in the first half we would have won fairly comfortably. We created plenty. It’s disappointing not to get that first win of the season but I am sure it is not too far away. We were excellent in that first half but let our grip on the contest slip.”