Twelvetrees burnishes Kingsholm fear factor

JOHAN ACKERMANN’S first priority when he took over as Gloucester coach this summer was to restore the fear factor for teams visiting Kingsholm — and the South African has started well. Having beaten champions Exeter in their first home game, his side swept away Worcester in the M5 derby with a blistering opening blast last night. Their 21-year-old winger Ollie Thorley enhanced his reputation as one of the Premiership’s brightest young stars by going over twice in the first 17 minutes. And then just after half-time came the best try of the night, with Henry Trinder running from his own 22 before setting up Billy Twelvetrees to score. Worcester, bottom of the early table after three defeats in a row, gave themselves faint hope when Perry Humphreys scored a try. And when the former Leicester Tigers winger went over again, this time Ryan Mills kicked the conversion there were nerves around Kingsholm. But Gloucester’s determination to make up for two poor performances in back-to-back away defeats shone through as they competed ferociously in the final minutes to see out the victory. SALE director of rugby Steve Diamond hopes to build on last Friday’s bonus-point win over London Irish when his side face Saracens at Allianz Park. ‘Our defence was good, the set-piece went well and we scored five tries,’ said Diamond. ‘We know Saracens are a top side. What we’ve got to worry about is getting our own ball and keeping it and having an effective defence.’