ANY DRAWN GAME IS BETTER THAN A DEFEAT but this was very much a game that Gloucester could have and should have won but frustratingly lacked the crucial cutting edge.
It was a close-run thing as time appeared to have run out for the Cherry and Whites before replacement lock Dave Attwood salvaged a dramatic draw for the hosts with a try deep into injury time.
This latest result leaves both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table in what was essentially a relegation dog-fight.
Despite being in charge for long periods against the usual lack of ambition from a dogged but limited Worcester team, Gloucester were all too often let down by too many missed chances, in addition their cause was not helped by missed kicks at goal. Individual errors compounded to poor decision making, contributed to the home side’s struggle to score, as they turned over too much ball allowing the visitors to exploit their few chances to breach the fragile Gloucester defence.
Against the run of play Worcester had established a half-time lead of 13-5, capitalising on the home side’s mistakes and their inability to turn possession and pressure into points.
After the break Gloucester came close to dominating the exchanges but rarely came close to scoring other than a solitary penalty goal—indeed for what seemed an eternity it seemed the match would end with a fourth successive victory for Worcester over their local rivals.
More because of the shortcomings of a stuttering Gloucester side than any superiority from the visitors.
The match had started with a real comedy of errors as Nicky Robinson missed a sitter of a penalty kick before Worcester scrum half Jonny Arr made a complete hash of his pass from the base of the scrum by delivering it straight into the hands of Akupusi Qera who had the easiest of tasks to score his try but Robinson again missed the simple attempted conversion.
Willie Walker levelled for Worcester however Gloucester continued to press but failed to take advantage of a couple of overlaps before missing out on a second try when Robinson broke through but somehow Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu was halted on the line.
Worcester are not renowned for their try scoring ability but they soon made Gloucester pay for their slip-shod play when winger Rico Gear touched down.

Pricey's Postscript
Champagne rugby was Gloucester’s style not so very long ago but it now resembles a cheap bottle of Cava. The game started with a bang but the froth soon went flat with missed opportunities and then the usual puerile exhibition which has been Gloucester’s wont all through 2009 and sadly it seems into 2010.
We miss the finishing skills of Balshaw & Allen. We miss a consistent goal kicker but most of all we miss a game-plan that puts verve and pace into an attacking line. Back row forwards that should be in the thick of it winning ball at the breakdown are now consigned to the three-quarter line together with props and perhaps even the water carriers (but more on that subject later). The result is, subject to getting the ball secured at the base of the ruck, is slow distribution by paceless forwards with poor hands. The Gloucester attack loses all shape at the end of the first and second phase when the forwards become the ball carriers and thus the decision makers.
Today was no exception. In one classic move in the first half the ball was turned over after being won by Gloucester for the lack of support for the scrum half because those ball winners, the back row and hooker were at inside centre, outside centre, wing and overlap. In the second half the ball moved through five sets of hands (all forwards) in the desperate attempt to get it to a back the run fast and straight. None of the forwards had the guile or know how to straighten the line and disrupt the drift defence.
It appears to be beyond the coaches’ grasp to vary the game plan just one little bit. Today should have seen the Worcester fly half and former Gloucester player, Willie Walker attacked at every opportunity. Willie Walker may be a great kicker of the ball he may be a great distributor but one thing he isn’t – he isn’t a tackler. Most of the Gloucester crowd know that and so should the Gloucester coaching team but did they build a plan around that known weakness, no they didn’t.
The intransigence to change the game plan will see the ruin of Gloucester. The seemingly reliance on other teams losing is a dangerous line to follow with relegation a real threat and indeed possibility.
Rugby is certainly not attractive, at least at Kingsholm and is certainly not helped the horde of water carriers that invade the pitch for the micro-second break in play. If the IRB want to make the game more attractive they should forget about tinkering with the ruck, maul and lineout laws and simply ban the constant and needless invaders of play.
John Price 2/1/2010

A game that started with so much promise, promise of free-flowing, ball in hand rugby, slipped into another scrappy, error- filled game. Glos lack commitment at the ruck, back row forwards are standing in the three-quarter line, slow ball, when the Cherry & Whites won it, led to a frustrated game.
Time and time again Worcester turned the ball over, time and time again a promising Glos move broke down short of the try line.
What should have been a half-time score of Glos 30- Worcs 3 read Glos 5- Worcs 13.
It seems 2010 will be no different from 2009. poor lineout throws, no commitment to the loose, and noboby with the nous to change the game: although Carlos Spencer did inject some inspiration and improvisation in his cameo role of fve minutes, almost winning the game with the attempted conversion of Dave Attwood's try.
As Isaid last week Glos are fighting for scraps at the wrong end of the table. There is a lack of leadership both on and off the pitch and a severe case of no confidence. Somebody please call a doctor.
Oh next week, another must win game Newcastle away, followed by a home banker against Biarritz.
Ho, Ho, Ho, tis still the season to be jolly!!!
Mike

Gloucester lost in-form winger Charlie Sharples as the visitors ended the first-half with their best period of play, forcing a series of scrums close to the Gloucester line before scrum half Arr exploited the lack of blind-side cover to dive over for the second simple Worcester try and secure their 13-5 lead
Robinson eventually found the target at the start of the second period with a penalty but although Gloucester got on top of proceedings they were unable to create the all important breakthrough.
Replacement Tim Molenaar produced some direct running but all too often Gloucester, despite ample chances, failed to deliver and doubts began to creep in with both the Kingsholm crowd and Gloucester players.
As the game entered the final quarter Walker missed a penalty that would probably sealed it for the visitors who were forced to hang on grimly as the clock ticked down.
Belatedly Carlos Spencer entered the fray to add composure and inventiveness before Attwood forced his way over in the corner with the final move of the match.
The Shed held their breath but Spencer’s conversion attempt was agonisingly just wide of the posts.
The match ended all-square but disappointingly for the Cherry and Whites, another home game without a win.
How times have changed—home games used to be banker wins. Gloucester are now very much down amongst the 'also rans'.
Worcester will doubtless be more satisfied with the result than Gloucester, who on this form will continue to struggle during 2010.
T.H.