Gloucester coach slams ‘mistakes’ despite win

GLOUCESTER WORCESTER

GLOUCESTER head coach Johan Ackermann has called on his side to produce a full 80-minute performance despite the convincing 36-16 win over Worcester at Kingsholm.

Ollie Thorley scored two tries for Gloucester, with James Hanson, Jaco Visagie, Freddie Clarke and Charlie Sharples also crossing, and Billy Twelvetrees adding three conversions.

Bryce Heem scored a try for Worcester, with Duncan Weir kicking the conversion and three penalties.

Ackermann said: “I’m satisfied with the win and very pleased with the extra point against a quality side.

“We knew we had to start well and we became confident by scoring two well-constructed tries, but then there was a phase where we made silly mistakes and our discipline let us down.

“We couldn’t believe we were only a point ahead at half time but we took the interval messages on board to start the second half well and be more accurate.

“We got the scoreboard rolling again but, when the game was wrapped up, we again made silly mistakes and we need to show more maturity in finishing off the games.”

Worcester scrum-half Michael Heaney who made his first start in the Premiership in the absence of the injured Francois Hougaard conceded it was a tough afternoon for his side.

He said: “It was a difficult day at the office and we didn’t hold on to the ball for long enough as they are a big, heavy force.

“We got ourselves back into the game by half time but we struggled to contain them afterwards, although we showed a bit of fight at the tail end of the game.

“We haven’t been able to back up our big performances but we are working on improving the situation.”

Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons had no complaints about the result.

He said: “We were out-muscled and they were on top of us for most of the game, and Chris Pennell’s yellow card made no different to the result.”

“The physicality of their pack was crucial and they dominated the collisions today, but we could have played better.”

Solomons hoped to be able to strengthen his side in readiness for the next group of Premiership fixtures.

He said: “We rested Ben Teo’o today and he’ll be back as will Francois (Hougaard), who would have made a difference today as he is more physical.”