Twelvetrees fires reminder to Eddie
BILLY Twelvetrees produced the kind of inspired display that helped win him 19 England caps as Gloucester set up a Challenge Cup semifinal visit to La Rochelle.
The 28-year-old centre, who made the last of those Test appearance four years ago, kicked and passed superbly to ensure the 2015 winners took another step to lifting the trophy again.
England head coach Eddie Jones was in the crowd watching and Twelvetrees may have grabbed the right moment to push his claim for a recall with places up for grabs on the tour to Argentina in June.
Full-back Tom Marshall scored two of the Cherry and White’s six tries as they fought back from a 23-20 deficit to clinch the victory on a noisy night at Kingsholm.
Twelvetrees took over kicking duties when fly-half Billy Burns was removed from the action with a first half head injury, and he ran the show with real international expertise and skill.
Cardiff tasted first blood when Alex Cuthbert showed his power and pace to burst over the line for an early opening try converted by Steve Shingler.
Gloucester replied in kind when Wales flanker Ross Moriarty, who had an outstanding Six Nations, charged over after Gloucester created their first real chance, and took it.
Shingler and Burns exchanged penalty blows as the two teams continued to go toe to toe while Hibbard struggled with what appeared to be a groin injury and needed treatment.
Twelvetrees, back in the Gloucester side following injury, produced a try saving tackle on Matthew Morgan and then sent Marshall over for his first try to lift the Gloucester crowd.
Shingler kicked his second penalty for Cardiff only for Twelvetrees to take over kicking duties from the injured Burns and made sure of his first effort to even things up again.
Cardiff camped themselves on the Gloucester line and the hosts lost prop Josh Hohneck to the sin bin after a series of penalties.
The visitors took full advantage, moving the ball swiftly along the line with Gareth Anscombe feeding Cuthbert for his second try.
Anscombe put Blues’ noses ahead at the break with a drop-goal, and Shingler added a penalty a few minutes into the second half.
But then Gloucester took full control.
Twelvetrees produced an inspired cross-field kick to Jonny May, who caught the ball, stumbled and then dived over for a fine try. Twelvetrees superb touchline conversion put Gloucester a point ahead.
The hosts were beginning to turn up the heat, and the Shed roared again as Tom Marshall surged over for his second try after captain Willie Heinz broke clear. Twelvetrees added the extras again for a 34-26 lead.
Cardiff had no answer to stop the rot as replacement Mark Atkinson produced the sublime moment of the match, a superb show and go, leaving his rival for dead and bursting through for another converted try.
Replacement Henry Purdy finished the try fest with the sixth try with two minutes remaining.