FATE dealt Gloucester yet another cruel hand at Watford.
At the start of the season Gloucester’s first Zurich League fixture was at Vicarage Road. On that occasion the Cherry and Whites were ravaged by injuries.
On this occasion at the end of a disappointing league campaign Gloucester’s sick list again paid a crucial part in the result of this match.
The pace of Chris Catling, Tom Beim, Robert Todd, Joe Ewens, and the redoubtable Trevor Woodman were all missing from the Heineken Cup semi-final because of injury.
Their replacements gave their all in a genuine Gloucester team effort of true grit which almost scaled the heights to come so agonisingly close to toppling the Zurich Premiership League champions But you couldn’t help wonder of the outcome, if Gloucester, like their opponents, had been at full strength?
The cruellest blow came when Leicester scored the only try of a robust and bruising but entertaining encounter. The circumstances which led to the vital score were given a bizarre twist by French referee Joel Dume. Leicester’s Graham Rowntree made an obvious knock-on. The referee duly signalled advantage to Gloucester as Leicester’s Tim Stimpson gathered a loose kick ahead.
What advantage that was to Gloucester heaven only knows, but instead of blowing up for the offence, Mr Dume allowed played to continue. Whilst Gloucester paused, waiting for the whistle to blow, Stimpson made a searing run up-field before Leon Lloyd finished the move off for a soft try under the posts. Some advantage!
A bitter blow for Gloucester but an absolute God-send for the Tigers. Much vaunted Champions Leicester did not play well, they were not allowed to. But they still scraped the vital win, thanks to solid defence and an element of good fortune.
Gloucester were given no chance of winning by all and sundry who forecast a rout. But the Cherry and Whites went on to produce a performance which belied much of what has gone before them this season.
Gloucester made a rousing start and Leicester infringed as cynically as ever and were punished as Simon Mannix slotted his first penalty.
Gloucester ruled the mid-field but unfortunately much of the line-out was a costly disaster, losing out five or six times on their own throw.
The first half was finely poised until the controversial incident which led to the Leicester try and their advantage at half time with the score 16-9.
In the second half the makeshift Gloucester team came more and more into the game. Terry Fanolua was terrific and made huge dents in the Tigers defence and although we went very close on several instances the try was not forthcoming. The pace was fast and furious as James Simpson-Daniel pulled off two great try saving tackles.
Martin Johnson and Junior Paramore were both sin-binned before Stimpson put Leicester into a 19 —12 lead. Gloucester were not finished and their play gained momentum as space began to open up. Gomarsall had another good game as did Mannix who slotted another penalty to put us back within four points of the Tigers. With the fans in full voice the closing quarter saw Gloucester in full ascendancy. There was a real sense that only a few more moments were needed to achieve victory. Top man Ian Jones, always a true class act, stole a Tigers throw at the end but a try proved to be elusive.
Somehow Leicester survived to deny the Cherry and Whites. Relief for the Tigers at the final whistle but heartbreak and the agony of defeat for Gloucester.
For Gloucester it was great to see such spirit and a united team commitment that has not been evident this season. The end was emotive with supporters on their feet, some close to tears, warmly applauding their team who in turn saluted their loyal fans.
Let us hope that all the officials and players at Kingsholm can now work together, ignore the moaners and groaners, and build on this spirit for the future of Gloucester.