Kingsholm		10 February 2001
	Wasps win with ease
	Gloucester 3 Wasps 28
AFTER the euphoria of outplaying Cardiff to reach the semi-finals of the Heineken European Cup, it really was back to the harsh reality of Premiership rugby as a well drilled Wasps side comprehensively demolished a poor Gloucester team. The Cherry and Whites were slower in thought and execution in a game that gradually became no contest as Wasps took control to score three tries without any reply from the home side. The ongoing poor record against London clubs continued, only two wins against Wasps from their last twelve encounters! Gloucester secured sufficient early possession to set up a succession of forward drives but only managed to score a solitary penalty in a display that surely must rank as one of the poorest in a disappointing season. How and why this Gloucester team can be so inconsistent and fail to perform so often is open to conjecture. Do some players lack mental toughness, lack the basic skills, lack team spirit or lack motivation for the rigours of routine Premiership encounters, compared with the atmosphere of the high profile occasions, or is it purely their selfishness ? The determination and honest endeavour evident in the Heineken encounter against Cardiff has been quite stimulating but league performances have been desperately frustrating. Perhaps some of the Gloucester players now have their minds set on the semi-final clash with Leicester but on their current form they could well be on the receiving end of yet another good hiding. Gloucester now have only a remote chance of qualifying for next season’s European Cup competition and will be remembered as promising so much but finishing up as the season’s under achievers. At the start of the season the side was seriously hampered by a steady succession of injuries and the consequent lack of a settled side. Although the Gloucester squad now has greater individual strength in depth this has not been reflected in the team’s performances. Any mid-week match is not ideal preparation for a tough encounter but a defeat at the Stoop to a poor ‘Quin’s side to an injury time penalty kick does not create confidence. The manner and ease of the Wasp’s victory must be of great concern to the Kingsholm coaches. A few early drives from the Gloucester pack was the sum total of the team effort and exposed the back’s continued inability to score tries. The wet and slippery conditions at Kingsholm did not favour enterprise but Wasps tactical decision to adopt a simple style of play ultimately brought them a comfortable victory. The Londoners handed out an object lesson in basic rugby with no frills but more importantly, very few mistakes and they took their chances. Their defence was strong and well organised and Gloucester were denied space, penalties or any other scoring opportunities. Wasps scored their first try just before the break thanks to strong run from Lawrence Dallaglio to set up Paul Volley. Two more tries within 15 minutes in the second half from Joe Worsley and Rob Henderson wrapped things up for a valuable well earned win. As time ran out for Gloucester the only buzz was for the Wasp’s fans, who could well afford to chant ‘You’ve all gone quiet over there’ to the Shed’s many early leavers. Gloucester were never in contention after the first quarter and slumped to their fourth successive Premiership defeat. But unlike the two previous victors, Bristol and Harlequins, Wasps were a good side. This was Gloucester’s tenth defeat of the season and although five of them have been by three points or less, this was the biggest ever League defeat at home! Back to the drawing board! .