Gloucester late charge takes points

Billy Twelvetrees

Gloucester virtually sealed their European Champions Cup spot for next season with a hard-fought 36-23 victory over London Irish at Kingsholm.

A victory for Irish would have seen them in a position to challenge Gloucester for that place but the hosts’ bonus-point victory put them 12 points clear of ninth-placed Irish with only four games remaining.

Gloucester’s tries came from Ollie Thorley, Louis ReesZammit, Jack Stanley, Stephen Varney and Lloyd Evans with Evans adding a penalty and two conversions. Billy Twelvetrees also converted two.

Irish responded with tries from Ollie Hassell-collins and Agustin Creevy with Paddy Jackson kicking three penalties and two conversions.

Jackson gave Irish a fourthminute lead with a simple penalty but an error from him handed Gloucester the opening try.

Injuries were to take their toll on both sides. The visitors received a blow when prop Sekope Kepu was forced off with a leg injury. And, within eight minutes of the restart, the home side lost two players through injury. First Woodward limped off with a hamstring problem before Ed Slater was withdrawn following a hefty collision and lengthy treatment.

The injuries disrupted the hosts and allowed Irish to dominate. But Gloucester regrouped and from a line-out inside the visitors 22, ReesZammit ran outside HassellCollins and score.

Gloucester were rejuvenated and secured the bonus point when replacement prop Stanley forced his way over from close range for the bonus-point try.

Twelvetrees converted before Jackson kicked his third penalty to set up a tense finish but Varney’s late try ensured victory.