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EVENTUALLY Gloucester got it right in the end but made hard work of beating Italian champions Viadana at Kingsholm.
The visitors had already conceded 245 points in this season’s Heineken Cup, so were seen as the whipping boys of the Pool. But it was not the try feast that was optimistically predicted by some, as the Cherry and Whites had previously romped to a 80-28 win in Italy.
The Italian side had defended stoutly and contained the driving play of the Gloucester pack in the first half. Indeed just after half time Gloucester had just a 10 point lead, 26-16.
However, although the flood-gates never quite opened, following a few changes to key personnel, Gloucester roused themselves for six tries in the final half- hour - four scored by replacements.
The home side started in earnest by declining to take penalty kicks at goal and electing to kick for territory but Viadana held out for almost ten minutes before Marcel Garvey used his pace to breach the visitor’s defence for the first score. Ludo got a confidence boosting conversion from close to the touch-line and we sat back and waited for more of the same.
UNABLE TO SETTLE INTO RHYTHM
It didn’t quite work out like that for although James Forrester added another, Gloucester were unable to find their rhythm as too many mid-field moves broke down.
Wing Tom Beim did get over for a third try to put the home side 19 points in front before full-back Casper Steyn kicked a couple of penalties for Viadana who were only 19-6 adrift at the interval.
A frustrating and disappointing first half but credit to Viadana for a spirited rear guard action.
Skipper Phil Vickery joined the fray after the break, as did Peter Buxton, replacing Roncero and Forrester. A penalty kick to the corner set up a drive for Junior Paramore to drive over for the try. Ludo added the conversion and it seemed that Gloucester were at last beginning to get things moving.
But it was the visitors who got the next try as South African Steyn got an interception try. Centre Henry Paul spilled the ball and the full back picked up the loose ball to cross under the posts to make the score 26-13. He added another penalty to close the gap to 26-16.
After a fruitless first half Gloucester’s catch and drive tactic was at last beginning to work as Ollie Azam was driven over for another converted try. Junior Paramore got another to take the score to 40-16.
SINBAD RETURNS
James Simpson-Daniel came on and his presence seemed to raise Gloucester’s game. Two months out of the game do not seem to have blunted Sinbad’s pace too much or his vision as he set up Junior with a try scoring chance but the ball was dropped. But then he latched on to a great break by Ludo. His sheer pace took him clear of the cover defence for the seventh try. Ludo converted 47-16.
Two more tries from replacement centre Robert Todd who was too quick and direct for the opposition and kept the scoreboard ticking along.
The final score came following a strong surging run from Phil Vickery, who handed on to replacement hooker Chris Collins for the tenth try to make the final score 64-16.
Gloucester’s second-half showing improved but the overall display could not have satisfied the coaching staff. A few interesting selection problems next week in the centre and back row.
Munster’s defeat in Perpignan will have come as no surprise to those who saw the French team on their own soil but Munster at Thomond Park Limerick will be a much tougher proposition. The Irish side have never lost an Heineken Cup game at home.
Come on Glos we can do it!
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Gloucester slow to power up for Italian job
